Byron's Babbles

I love it when books I am reading become interrelated without there being an intentional connection of my reading them at the same time. I had read the incredible book The Mythmakers: The Remarkable Fellowship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by award winning author, John Hendrix, while reading The Five Towers Series by J. B. Simmons. Interestingly, as is obvious by the title, The Mythmakers is about the relationship between C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and Simmons was heavily influenced by Lewis and Tolkien. Simmons was inspired by hearing The Chronicles of Narnia read to him as a child.

I had the opportunity to be with John Hendrix this week to hear the process behind the creation of his The Mythmakers graphic novel at the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College. Which, by the way, Mythmakers is like nothing you’ve ever read before – it’s brilliant. One of the points Hendrix drove home at the end of his presentation was, “Our work gets better in community.” As he pointed out, without the fellowship of Lewis and Tolkien we don’t get to read about Narnia or Middle-earth. Hendrix stressed that we all need community and our own Inklings.

Then, the next day as I was reading in The Yellow Tower, by J. B. Simmons, Cipher (the protagonist) was told “Genius requires company to truly thrive. I’m sure you have figured out by now that your friends here are no coincidence.” This reemphasized the importance of collaboration and community in the creative process that Hendrix had explained the night before. Then I had the thought that it really was no coincidence that the unlikely friendship of Tolkien and Lewis happened. Think about the unlikely coincidental meeting of others in your own life.

Here are some key takeaways that I had from this idea of genius requiring company:

1. Collaboration Enhances Innovation: Genius isn’t just an individual trait; it flourishes when ideas are exchanged and developed through interaction with others. This suggests that diverse perspectives can lead to greater creativity and breakthroughs.
2. Support Systems: Genius needing company implied that even the most brilliant minds need support from peers, mentors, or a community to nurture ideas and refine talents. This highlighted the value of relationships and networks in personal and professional growth. I really want to for form my own Inklings!
3. Shared Knowledge: Engaging with others allows for the sharing of knowledge and experiences, which can inspire and challenge us to think differently and expand our horizons.
4. Encouragement and Motivation: Surrounding ourselves with creative and innovative individuals can provide the encouragement needed to pursue ambitious goals. This support can be crucial in overcoming obstacles and self-doubt.
5. Collective Growth: Genius is portrayed as not just an isolated talent but part of a larger tapestry of human endeavor.

This all reinforces the idea that societal progress relies on collaborative efforts rather than individual brilliance alone. The world needs community!