Scenius

Scenius is an ecology of talent—a group of creative individuals (artists, curators, thinkers, and other tastemakers) who make up a collaborative creative scene.

Characteristics

A scenius is a whole scene of people who:

• Support each other
• Look at each other’s work
• Copy from each other
• Steal ideas and contribute ideas

Core Principle

Good work isn’t created in a vacuum. Creativity is always, in some sense, a collaboration—the result of a mind connected to other minds.

Opposite of Lone Genius

Scenius stands in contrast to the “Lone Genius” myth—the idea that great work emerges from isolated individuals with superhuman talents appearing out of nowhere.

Finding a Scenius

• Pay attention to what others are sharing
• Take note of what they’re not sharing
• Look for voids you can fill with your own efforts
• No matter how bad they are first

Related Concepts

• [[Lone Genius Myth]] — the opposite narrative
• [[Digital Garden]] — sharing work and building community
• [[Polymath]] — connecting diverse interests and communities

Source: [[Show Your Work! by Austin Kleon]]. Concept proposed by Brian Eno.