The Technium: Scenius, or Communal Genius

[Scenius is the communal form of genius.]

Mutual appreciation — Risky moves are applauded by the group, subtlety is appreciated, and friendly competition goads the shy. Scenius can be thought of as the best of peer pressure.

Rapid exchange of tools and techniques — As soon as something is invented, it is flaunted and then shared. Ideas flow quickly because they are flowing inside a common language and sensibility.

Network effects of success — When a record is broken, a hit happens, or breakthrough erupts, the success is claimed by the entire scene. This empowers the scene to further success.

Local tolerance for the novelties — The local “outside” does not push back too hard against the transgressions of the scene. The renegades and mavericks are protected by this buffer zone.

[They're often unremarkable from the outside.]

[A scenius is a form of genius scattered amongst members of a scene, characterized by: mutual appreciation by everyone of risky moves and subtlety; rapid exchange of ideas, especially something invented in the community; network effects when something is successful.]

[It cannot be bought into existence. If it appears, fan the flames and keep accountants, architects, police, and do-gooders away. Let it remain inefficient, edgy, and on the fringes.]