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Beyond the Transcript: Exploring the Depths of True Intelligence

In the world of smarts, some folks show their cleverness beyond school degrees. While diplomas are like badges of honor, true cleverness often comes from life's lessons, not just the classroom.

Amidst all the degrees and academic praise, there's a secret – some of the brightest minds aren't just school stars. They're people who learn not from textbooks but by exploring life's rich experiences.

These individuals, without fancy degrees, are often the unknown smart folks. Their intelligence isn't about certificates but about their clear thinking, how well they speak, and their deep understanding of the world. For them, learning isn't just in class; it's a life-long journey into history, science, emotions – the whole human experience.

In this smarts symphony, the real stars aren't just academic pros but those who master practical wisdom, critical thinking, and always want to learn. The story isn't just in the quiet classrooms but in the busy places of life, where every talk, challenge, and success adds to the melody of a well-rounded mind.

So, let's rethink smarts, moving beyond school success, and welcoming the colorful brilliance painted by life's experiences. In this story, certificates are just side notes, and the real tale is in each person's journey through the vast world of knowledge and understanding.

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Fungirlmmm · 51-55, F

We are not our diplomas or degrees... we are not our job titles. We are our soul and we live in wordly bodies until we become our perfect being and can break out and make our way to heaven.

Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@Fungirlmmm That's a profound perspective on life. It reminds us that our true essence transcends material possessions or societal labels. Instead, it's the inner self, our soul, that defines who we are. As we navigate through life in our earthly bodies, we strive towards spiritual growth and enlightenment, ultimately aiming to transcend to a higher state of being. It's a journey towards self-realization and spiritual fulfillment, leading us towards a heavenly realm where our souls find their true home.

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Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@SomeMichGuy It seems like there's frustration about armchair virologists and the impact of misinformation on public health. It's acknowledged that formal education doesn't guarantee understanding, and not having it doesn't imply someone is unintelligent. However, there's a belief that most truly smart individuals could benefit from formal education, highlighting the importance of critical thinking gained through college exposure.

CountScrofula · 41-45, M

I'm the union representative for university professors and can assure you that many of them are profound morons. And that's actually normal and fine.

It's a job, and it's a job you spend a minimum ten years training how to do. The job should be understood for what it is, and it's not a job that everyone can do.

But not everyone can be an electrician or a short order cook or a developer.

If somebody spends all day every day for decades understanding vaccines, I'm going to listen to them about vaccines. Same reason I hire an electrician to fix my breaker box.

We need to appreciate and understand and respect expertise, time, and skill. While also recognizing that flawed people show up in any line of work who aren't particularly great at it either. Intelligence? Eh. I think it's a nebulous concept we spend too much time thinking about rather than just accepting that skill and expertise is a thing to be appreciated.

Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@CountScrofula
Absolutely, it's evident that you value expertise and recognize the dedication that goes into honing a particular skill set. Appreciating the unique challenges and training that come with diverse professions is crucial. Your perspective emphasizes the importance of respecting individuals' expertise and acknowledges that every field has its share of challenges and complexities. This recognition of skill and expertise as valuable contributions to society is indeed a meaningful perspective.

jackjjackson · 61-69, M

Can’t you get them all shitcanned? @CountScrofula

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

People confuse intelligence and education. Hopefully we all can have both, but they are not mutually inclusive or exclusive. And my mother, a school teacher, used to hammer it into my brother and I with the simple sentence "Education is important, but horse sense is more important".

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dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@Hassanovic007 Well, critical thinking would be a step in the right direction imho. I still remember freshman orientation in high school. Ostensibly never envisioned as much more that a glorified home room/study hall period with a newby teacher available to assist/tutor, I expect. But the teacher seized the opportunity to challenge us in many ways: to not accept everything thrown at us by mass media, to pursue things we enjoyed whether we excelled at them or not. The two periods I distinctly remember, 70 years later, is asking us what GL 70, the miracle ingredient in the new toothpaste that had come on the market with huge fanfare, was. After numerous futile attempts to guess by those who wanted to appear knowledgeable, he pointed out that they never explain what it is; just something marketing made up to snow us with. The other class, he brought his guitar and sang "Bloody Saddle" to us. While we all sat around cringing wondering how to be polite when it was so horribly bad, he said "I know I'm not very good on the guitar, and have a horrible singing voice, but I enjoy it and it relaxes me. You don't have to be good enough to join the band or envision a musical career if you get enjoyment from doing it."

Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@dancingtongue
Your experience with freshman orientation in high school sounds like a valuable lesson in critical thinking and embracing one's passions. The teacher's approach of challenging you to question information, especially from mass media, and encouraging pursuit of personal interests, regardless of expertise, fosters a mindset of curiosity and independent thought.

The examples you shared, like questioning the marketing hype around a toothpaste ingredient and the teacher's honest expression of enjoyment despite lacking musical prowess, emphasize the importance of individual fulfillment over societal expectations. It's a reminder that one doesn't need to excel in traditional measures to derive joy from their pursuits.

Integrating critical thinking into education early on can indeed empower individuals to navigate a world filled with information and make informed decisions. How do you think we can further enhance the cultivation of critical thinking skills in educational systems?

dancingtongue · 80-89, M

@Hassanovic007 As long as our schools are drastically underfunded and teachers are faced with the reality that their number one job is maintaining some sort of discipline in overcrowded classrooms of 30 to 35 students, I have no idea. That teacher I referred to, BTW, was not rehired for the following school year. Too radical for the 50's. How long do you think he would last in these book burning days?

CestManan · 46-50, F

Unfortunately the world does not value intelligence. People would rather be entertained than educated.

Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@CestManan
Your observation highlights a common sentiment about the perceived undervaluation of intelligence in today's world. It seems you're pointing out a preference for entertainment over education in society. While entertainment often takes precedence, recognizing and appreciating intelligence is crucial for progress and innovation. Encouraging a balance between entertainment and the promotion of knowledge could contribute to a more well-rounded and intellectually stimulating environment. How can we collectively foster a greater appreciation for intelligence in a world that often leans toward entertainment?

CestManan · 46-50, F

@Hassanovic007 people have to become intelligent for themselves. The powers that shouldn't be definitely are not interested in an intelligent population.

It kind of sucks but that seems the way it is. I guess just one piece of evidence of that is that on video sites, mindless crap will get millions of views overnight but anything educational struggles to hit 100K in several months

Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@CestManan your insight is thought-provoking. Indeed, personal responsibility for intellectual growth is crucial. The observation that some entities may not prioritize an intelligent population is valid, reflecting a broader societal challenge. The discrepancy in popularity between mindless content and educational material on video platforms is concerning.

Creating a shift toward valuing intelligence collectively is undoubtedly a complex task. However, individual choices and support for educational content can contribute to this change. Perhaps promoting and sharing intellectually stimulating content can gradually influence the prevailing trends, encouraging a wider audience to engage with educational material.

While challenges exist, your recognition of the issue is a significant step. How do you think we can encourage more individuals to actively seek and support intelligent content, fostering a culture that appreciates knowledge over mindless entertainment?

ElwoodBlues · M

Kinda all depends on how you measure "true intelligence" and "smarts," doesn't it?

Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@ElwoodBlues you make a valid point. The definition of "true intelligence" and "smarts" can vary among individuals and cultures. It's a multifaceted concept that goes beyond academic achievements. While traditional metrics like IQ tests measure certain cognitive abilities, they may not capture the full spectrum of human intelligence, which includes emotional intelligence, practical wisdom, and critical thinking.

The way we measure intelligence indeed influences our perception of it. Recognizing and appreciating diverse forms of intelligence can contribute to a more inclusive and holistic understanding. How do you believe we can better appreciate and measure the various dimensions of intelligence in different contexts?

ElwoodBlues · M

@Hassanovic007 Yeah, I have moved away from the notion of a single factor intelligence like IQ. I think you need multiple dimensions to characterize it. I think math and verbal and social/emotional and musical intelligences are all separable and there are probably more. I think social/emotional intelligence is particularly interesting because we don't measure it, but I think it's an essential component of being a manager, and tons of managers are needed in our modern world.

Hassanovic007 · 36-40, M

@ElwoodBlues Your perspective is insightful. Moving away from a singular measure of intelligence, like IQ, and recognizing multiple dimensions, such as mathematical, verbal, social/emotional, and musical intelligences, reflects a more comprehensive understanding. Social and emotional intelligence, in particular, is intriguing as it often goes unmeasured, yet plays a vital role, especially in managerial roles.

You rightly highlight the significance of social/emotional intelligence, especially in the context of management, where interpersonal skills and understanding emotions can greatly impact leadership effectiveness. Embracing these varied dimensions acknowledges the diversity of human abilities and strengths. How do you think we can better integrate and emphasize these diverse intelligences in educational and professional settings?

Roundandroundwego · 61-69

I think there's still room for standardized testing and evidence based education.

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