Why a genius?: probably the most learned man of the 20th Century; his work on mythology and religion can be considered the central factor in a deep understanding of humanity; simply too much to list, the man was brilliant!

Joseph Campbell was a student of religion, mythology, sociology, humanity, and almost everything else. His understanding of the human race, of its foibles and beliefs and needs, is unmatched in all of human history. He demonstrated that all religions and beliefs essentially supply the same ingredients to human beings. Among the things which he advocated which I personally belive in is the notion of "following one's bliss." On this count alone, I would elevated him to genius-hood. His philosophy is that one must do what one is blissful doing, at all costs. He says that if you are following your bliss, you are following a "karmically correct" path - doors will open for you, things will go well in the long run, although you may be tested from time to time. The understanding that human beings are at their very best being precisely what they are (to themselves) is an extremely important one. Campbell understood the meaning of mythology and how it affected humanity's development, and how it changed over the millenia into what we have today. He points out that there is essentially very little difference between any of the major religions, and that, furthermore, the great myths and stories of these religions are essentially the same, also. The great story of the Hero is repeated over and over again in every mythology, even in today's world ("Star Wars").

For more information on Dr. Campbell, visit Joseph Campbell's Mythic Journey and mind the list of links at the bottom of the page. More to come.

Why a genius?: an innovator in government and social science; his ideas about religious freedom were far, far ahead of their time; also, a man of diverse talents (like Leonardo)

Aside from being the third president of the UNited States of America, which in and of itself certainly cannot be considered to confer greatness, let alone genius, upon one's head, Thomas Jefferson was a brilliant thinker and philosopher who had an insight into human social interaction, as well as how to make the notion of "freedom" work. He was a visionary and a dreamer as well as a practical-minded archetect (both literally and figuratively). Jefferson's assertion that no one should be forced to practice any particular religion (or - most remarkably any religion at all is hugely important to the nature of the American democracy today. He was constantly asking questions and trying to think of better ways of doing things. The foresight to purchase and explore the Louisiana Territory was a pivotal moment in the history of the United States. More to come about Thomas Jefferson.