The MacArthur Foundation selects a diverse group of people for an award dubbed the “genius grants”. In doing so they help us redefine our measure of success.
Basket artist Jeremy Frey. (Photo courtesy of the MacArthur Foundation)
So many people are brought up with few acceptable goals in life. Our societies define success for us. In some societies success is a family with lots of children, preferably boys. In others, success is a son or daughter becoming a doctor or lawyer. In other places success is defined by money or political power.
So it was heartening for us to hear that among the 22 Fellows awarded the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation prize this month — known as the “genius grants” — is basket artist Jeremy Frey, the son of a fisherman who grew up in poverty.
You see, in the United States we’ve often heard the term “basket weaving” used among parents and on university campuses as one of derision to describe a slacker. It is seen as something silly and a waste of time that takes one’s attention away from those medical school and law school preparation courses.
Now, becoming a doctor and a lawyer is a great achievement and the world needs doctors, and yes, lawyers. But how many young people have their passions and talents crushed by the weight of pre-defined success?
The MacArthur Foundation is a grant-funding organization with this stated mission: “We are committed to building a more just, verdant, and peaceful world. The world is more just when actions are inclusive, and fair, where past and present barriers are removed to provide equitable access, treatment, consideration, and opportunity. The world is more verdant and abundant when the planet and its people flourish. The world is more peaceful when people are free from fear, conflict, violence, and war.”
Its “genius grant” is $800,000 with no strings attached and the grant winners don’t apply. The foundation finds them and calls them. The picks run the gamut from scientists and peace advocates to doctors, environmentalists, musicians, artists and philosophers.
Passion projects
In choosing Frey, the foundation noted that the artist’s work not only reflects generations of craft of his Indigenous ancestors, but is part of his effort to save endangered ash trees.
“His imagination is inspiring young Indigenous artists and the fine arts world,” the foundation wrote on its website.
The grants are famous around the world, not only because they come with such a large, unfettered purse, but because of the stamp of “genius” that has been placed on the award winners.
Sure, winning a Nobel Prize would be super cool, but to be declared a bonafide genius? You really can’t beat that.
But the thing people should most appreciate about the MacArthur Foundation and the idea of grants to geniuses who are artists, thinkers, creators and lifesavers is the redefinition of success and smarts.
The creation of beauty is something that should be accepted and celebrated and appreciated. The conservation of the environment and culture and tradition is a valid and noble career choice. We all have special talents and knowledge and gifts and passions that can be employed in positive ways to better the world we live in.
So when thinking about the next direction your life might take, whether you are 18 or 80, think not only about how it will support you and your family — valid and noble goals in themselves — but where your true passions lie and where they might lead you.
Envision your own definition of success and your own definition of genius.
Questions to consider:
1. What does the author mean by “pre-defined success”?
2. How do you define success?
3. How do you define genius?
Marcy Burstiner is the educational news director for News Decoder. She is a graduate of the Columbia Journalism School and professor emeritus of journalism and mass communication at the California Polytechnic University, Humboldt in California. She is the author of the book "Investigative Reporting: From premise to publication."