Robert Greene on Mastery | Full Address | Oxford Union
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Published 2012-12-12
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Robert Greene tells us about the masters of history and states that he is baffled that there are no books on being a master, the highest state of intelligence that humans can achieve.
Upon researching for his book on mastery he made 3 discoveries. The Source of mastery, the process on how to get to that mastery and the high level creative intuition that comes from achieving the end goal of mastery.
He then goes on to tell of the story of Leonardo Di Vinci; his life, obsessions and amazing attention to detail on a scientific level that lead to him being one of, if not the greatest master that ever lived.
He then says that in life there are 3 stages of learning, you learn from your parents, then school and then the real world. What the real world has to teach is completely contradictory to the other two learning stages. In the real world you can be whatever you want to be.
Secondly he goes on to talk about the story of Charles Darwin as an example of an iconic apprenticeship and how at 26 years old during his visit to the Galapagos Islands the theory of evolution and natural selection dawned on him after being exposed to this intense variety of life and learning so much.
The point of an apprenticeship is to immerse yourself in an environment where you have the maximum opportunities to learn. He mentions that 'Social Intelligence' is one of the most important things because you could be the most knowledgeable person in your field but if you don't know how to deal with people then forget it. The Apprenticeship stage is in your 20 where instead of perusing money and fame you should be acquiring the skillset that's going to serve you well through life.
Finally, as an example of how even music can conform to this path to mastery, he tells the story of John Coltrane, the greatest Jazz artist who ever lived. To truly develop his own style he studied and mastered all other genres and techniques of Jazz so that he could combine that knowledge and express himself in a way that connected with so many people.
We have a romantic notion that creativity is free, spontaneous and natural but it requires knowledge. He talks of his notion of the 'Creative Active' where the brain reaches a point when it's absorbed so much information that the it awakens naturally with creative energy and it starts associating and connecting things that have never been connected before. He concludes by saying your uniqueness is your gift to the world and if you don't keep developing who you are and mastering your field you basically just end up imitating those that came before you.
Filmed on Wednesday 21st November 2012
ABOUT ROBERT GREENE:
Robert Greene is author of 'The 48 Laws of Power', 'The 33 Strategies of War', 'The Art of Seduction' and, with 50 Cent, 'The 50th Law'. He has a degree in Classical Studies and has been an editor at Esquire and other magazines. He is also a playwright. He current lives in Los Angeles
www.profilebooks.com/mastery-the-official-trailer/
ABOUT THE OXFORD UNION SOCIETY:
The Union is the world's most prestigious debating society, with an unparalleled reputation for bringing international guests and speakers to Oxford. It has been established for 189 years, aiming to promote debate and discussion not just in Oxford University, but across the globe.
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Filmed by Oxford Media Solutions www.oxfordmediasolutions.co.uk/
All Comments (21)
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Robert Greene is not appreciated enough. I don't know how much researched he's done and what he's sacrificed to write books that is LIFE CHANGING. Honestly. One of the best.
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Finally a writer who writes something you can use to really improve your life.
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"The most selfish people in the world, are those who merely consume what other people have created in the past, and don't contribute to anything". WELL SPOKEN final words (of wisdom)! Thank you, OxfordUnion and Robert Greene!!
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He’s teaching pure game This man is a Legend.💯
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Robert’s Interviews on YouTube are a safe haven for me when my brain gets overloaded by the mire of bullshit ideas that plague media. That’s not even to say I agree with everything he says, but I find a majority of his work, and thinking to be very grounded. Makes me feel better about life knowing he’s around.
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“The most selfish people in the world are those who only consume and choose not to create” Can we stop and appreciate that he gave a 1 hour talk providing new information without using notes? Genius.
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I am a master of art...I started when I was 4 and am 35 now. I display my work all over the city and have made thousands of dollars...everything he's saying is true...I experience it first hand
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Robert Greene's books has helped me through-out my life and i want to thank him for his powerful words!!!!
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we don't value this man the way he deserves.
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This man is a living legend who's works will be studied for generations to come. Thanks Robert ✅
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He's one of the great philosofical minds of this century he's a nerd and historian but shows us a part of human nature that right in our face but rearly get talk about I freakin love him he my hero
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The Best Book I have ever read "Mastery", He is, so depth with his knowledge and this research is mind-blowing, I wonder how he can get so thick with each person emotional level to just explain the truth of life
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This found me at a time when I really needed it.
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I really wished someone told me that when I was young not knowing where to go and no self-confidence, at all. Now, I am old, but still find it helpful and uplifting.
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I haven’t read robert greene books yet but he speaks like a great writer, i can’t wait 💕
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Nothing wrong with audience, when u enjoying ur best meal u don't need distraction. Robert giving them mental meal , brain automatically calm and consume it all.
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Robert Greene = Genius and Truth.
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This guy is amazing, everything he says is pure real life knoweldge
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one of my favorite speakers / authors.....
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A brilliant speech packed with lot of valuable ideas and advice for life.H e explained what seems a complex subject in a lucid way ,drawing from science and biographies of great masters in the history.I think that's a perfect blend of theory and practical ideas.The important point about him is that he presented them in a simple way.Thanks for uploading.
