I think IQ isn't really the best indicator of how smart someone is, there are many types of intelligence. Social intelligence for example is lacking in many people who are highly
intelligent STEM subjects. The brain is large, but it only has so much energy to expend at any given time, so there are actually physical limits to the idea of a genius, because
when we say genius we tend to think someone who is SUPER at alot of things, when in fact people tend to sacrifice other abilities if they are overly good in one thing.
Of course that's not like I deny the existence of genetics dictating base intelligence.
And I would argue its possible to some extent.
Very importantly the methodology of education one adopts, if they adopt the right one and continue learning new things and keep curious about other subjects
and also have a good methodology of how to put what is learned into practice. I think over time one can actually become smarter for sure.
Education alone changes how the brain approaches problems, therefore affecting intelligence.
On the other hand, to reach genius level. I really believe people need to do drugs like LSD, Ketamine and so on, these open their minds to see and perceiving things
they never could have without the drugs, just knowing how malleable our own perceptions are alone, can greatly contribute to the ability to flexibly problem solve, or look
at things in a different context, or spot patterns.
When people say genius they usually mean people that can "jump" several steps ahead, or connect two seemingly unrelatable ideas, and I think nootropics, drugs
actually facilitate this kind of thinking.
The truth is a lot of people considered geniuses have experienced a wide range of completely different things, and they are simply able to cross-pollinate ideas.
This "experience" driven way to improve intelligence, is actually the opposite of what academia actually is (which is to just focus on one subject only), as a result a lot
of these people end up being unable to make huge "breakthroughs"
And finally where do you learn how to think like that? - Art School...There is a pretty good reason why so many things come from places like California where they are encouraged
to think like an artist and try crazy shit.