The Advanced Genius Theory: Are They Out Of Their Minds Or Ahead Of Their Time? (2010) - Plot & Excerpts
If you're ready to look at the works of some of your favorite artists who you think have lost it with fresh eyes, and look at most art with fresh eyes, this is a really fun book. Jason does a great job outlining the theory that begins as laughable and ends as something that, at its very least, is a blast to discuss with like minded friends. I won't go into any more detail here, but ask me about it and I promise an entertaining discussion. Fun. An ideal book for the bookcase in the loo, if I could bring myself to have one. Remember the movie "High Fidelity"? Where John Cusack and Jack Black were forever naming top 5 lists? I'm sure they're "overt", in the language of this book, but the book itself feels a bit like that movie. A guy has come up with a theory that justifies his continuing to have faith in his heroes whose later work is...well, unappreciated, perhaps. He argues that Dylan, Lou Reed, etc have continued to be innovative and brilliant, but that we no longer appreciate them because they're ahead of our time, or we're at the wrong stage of life to appreciate their new work.Enjoyable, largely because the focus is on openly liking what you like, rather than finding reasons to dismiss or sneer at larger-than-life characters who refuse to go away when their fans think they should.I've known plenty of people who espouse theories as unprovable as Hartley's when in the pub, but none who've taken the time to develop them as fully as this.
What do You think about The Advanced Genius Theory: Are They Out Of Their Minds Or Ahead Of Their Time? (2010)?
A lot of the theory seems forced but there is definitely some hidden wisdom in this book.
—Alexkitts
I'd write a review, but how Overt would that make me?
—Mari
So much to say about this book. More later.
—Paige2296
