How Society Manipulates Genius for Power and Control

The Cycles of Intelligence

Throughout history, the interplay between different forms of intelligence and societal power structures has shaped the course of human civilization. This dance of brilliance and repression, of valuing and devaluing intellectual gifts, has created a cyclical pattern that repeats itself across cultures and eras. At the heart of this cycle lies a fundamental truth: those in power seek to maintain their position by controlling the narrative around intelligence and genius.

The Ebb and Flow of Valued Intelligence

Our story begins in ancient times, where practical intelligence — the ability to farm, build, and create — was highly prized. As societies grew more complex, different forms of intelligence came to the forefront. In classical Greece, we saw the rise of philosophical and rhetorical intelligence, with thinkers like Socrates and Plato shaping the intellectual landscape. Their big-picture thinking laid the groundwork for Western philosophy, yet even then, we see the seeds of repression. Socrates, after all, was put to death for his questioning of societal norms.

As empires rose and fell, the valued forms of intelligence shifted. The Roman Empire prized military and administrative intelligence, while the Islamic Golden Age celebrated mathematical and…