Genius is overrated. “Scenius” — the creative power of a scene — is what actually produces breakthroughs.
Think about music scenes:
- Memphis and the rise of Rock and Roll
- Nashville and the popularization of country music
- London and the rise of punk
- NYC and the rise of punk and New Wave
- Madchester and the birth of Post Punk and rave culture
- Detroit and the invention/popularization of techno
- Seattle and the birth of the Grunge scene
Every one of these musical movements was initiated, instigated, and instituted by the scene, the scenious if you will, and not by one solitary musical genius.
Why it matters to IDs
As Instructional Designers, we often design alone.
But the best learning ecosystems, like the best music scenes, are built collectively.
Iron sharpens iron.
As an old African proverb says:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Apply it
Who are the 3–5 people outside your team whose perspectives could sharpen the next project that you can reach out to?
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