Geniolatry

/ˌdʒiːniˈɒlətri/ noun

Definition

The worship of or excessive reverence for genius or exceptionally talented people, treating them as if they were gods.

Etymology

From Greek 'genius' (exceptional mental power) + '-latry' (worship), a literary term that emerged in the 19th century to critique the romanticization of brilliant individuals during the Romantic era.

Kelly Says

Geniolatry perfectly captures why we obsess over celebrity scientists, artists, and entrepreneurs—we act like their intelligence makes them infallible, when really genius in one area doesn't mean genius in everything, and people are flawed regardless of their talent.

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