The Advanced Genius Theory : Are They Out of Their Minds or Ahead of Their Time?

Let the debate begin... The Advanced Genius Theory, hatched by Jason Hartley and Britt Bergman over pizza, began as a means to explain why icons such as Lou Reed, David Bowie, and Sting seem to go from artistic brilliance in their early careers to "losing it" as they grow older. The Theory proposes that they don’t actually lose it, but rather, their work simply advances beyond our comprehension. The ramifications and departures of this argument are limitless, and so are the examples worth considering, such as George Lucas’s Jar Jar Binks, Stanley Kubrick’s fascination with coffee commercials, and the last few decades of Paul McCartney’s career. With equal doses of humor and philosophy, theorist Jason Hartley examines music, literature, sports, politics, and the very meaning of taste, presenting an entirely new way to appreciate the pop culture we love . . . and sometimes think we hate. The Advanced Genius Theory is a manifesto that takes on the least understood work by the most celebrated figures of our time. Admittedly, the Advanced Theory had unpretentious beginnings; Jason Hartley and Britt Bergman invented the concept in 1990 at a Columbia, South Carolina, Pizza Hut. From those fast-food ruminations, however, grew a great hypothesis, perhaps best expressed by Chuck Klosterman, who wrote the foreword for this book; "When a genius does something that appears idiotic, it does not necessarily mean he suddenly sucks. What it might mean is that he's doing something you cannot understand, because he has Advanced beyond you." With that insight, you can take the great leap forward into this provocative and (let's admit it) extremely entertaining paperback original. Editor's recommendation. Introduction Falling out of love Stages of advancement Advanced musicians The most advanced musicians ever The second tier Who was the most advanced Beatle? The curious cases of Sting and Bono On the bubble The stage and mostly screen "A" is for advanced : Orson Welles Overt riders, overt bulls Marlon Brando : the third fat man Steve Martin : advancement is not pretty Fine artists, but are they advanced? Writers Advancement and the 2000 presidential election The advanced world of sports What might have been and what might yet be The advanced state of mind, or how to like everything. Offers an often humorous take on the concept of genius in popular culture, positing that as artists go from artistic brilliance in their early careers to perceived lesser brilliance in their older years, in actuality their work is simply advancing beyond the comprehension of the general public