is intelligence uncool?

POSTED BY: boris
UPDATED: Wednesday, January 23, 2008 12:44
VIEWED: 7460
PAGE 4 of 5

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 NEXT PAGE

AGENTROUKA

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 3:28 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by boris:
I feel I need to clarify, by intelligence I'm not just referring to academic prowess, but to openmindedness/wisdom generally.

You realize, though, that these are things that can and are also displayed by people who do not test highly in terms of IQ? Is IQ-type intelligence even something we need to consider when we discuss what you refer to as intelligence or can those qualities simply be called what they are: an open mind and wisdom?

I'd like to make a distinction between what is a largely biologically determined and quanitfiable potential for grasping concepts (seeing patterns, etc.) and what is basically a mental attitude toward learning and the world as a whole, because I do not think those two are related at all.

Quote:

Interestingly, I find that the people most threatened by another's intelligence, are the "average" types (why are there so many of them?). It's always the least likely people you meet who display real smarts.

Really? I'm surprised by this. Who do you define as average? Are you referring to average intelligence quotient (I did when I was talking about "average".) or a simply majority in terms of lifestyle or... what average?

Because the people I know who are of average IQ do not, in general, display closed-mindedness and discomfort with other people's knowledge, learning or IQ.

I've found that closed-mindedness has little to do with IQ, or your classic genetic aptitude.

Even extreme intelligence can be just as judgmental in its way. And even those whose brains go to white noise when you talk about math/physics/music theory/philosophy/history/IQ test patterns often listen with interest when you explain something in terms and concepts they can understand.

So, I think it's problematic to use the word "intelligence", since it carries several meanings that are often misguidedly linked. It could be we are all agreeing about the same thing and don't know it because we mean different things when we say "intelligence".

VERTIGO

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 3:45 PM

I dont think intelligence is uncool. In fact, i feel obliged to be intelligent to fit in in college.
I'm surrounded by all intellectual types, there are still cliques and that, but the friendship groups revolve more around music experts and law and psychology.
Its cool to be intelligent.

Shiny.

MAL4PREZ

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:46 PM

It seems to me that "intelligence" as it's being referred to in this thread is a certain kind of smarts: the logical smart, the high IQ, the science-y thing or the fancy vocabulary. High grades. Book learning. Now, I've got that kind of smart, and I've certainly felt ostracized over it at times. I've met plenty of "average" folks who were threatened by my braininess. Some of that was unavoidable, for sure, because people easily feel threatened. But here's what I've learned as I've gotten older:

When some "average" schmoe finds out I've got a big damned degree from a big damned college and gives me that frightened, almost hostile look (usually there's a few steps taken back as well. I'm sooo not kidding!) I can 1) bask in my superiority 2) be all offended and write this person off as an ass 3)smile and say something like: "Yeah, you may be shocked, but folks with the [big damned degree] from the [big damned college] are just as clueless as anyone else in the world."

I've found that when I'm good-humored like that, the "average" schmoe generally relaxes and we get along. They know I'm not judging them and won't expect them to sit through a rehash of my - I must admit - boring dissertion. And despite what it may sound like, this isn't playing dumb. I'm not claiming that I don't diserve my degree. But it is what it is, and nothing more.

I mean, what if we were each given a number to rate our ability to stand in front a crowded room and tell a joke? That seems highly relevent to "coolness" and social skill. Kind of a social IQ. I would completely fail at that! So yes, I may be book smart, but I'm completely lacking in other areas.

My point being: I think us "smart" people can create our own uncoolness by taking ourselves way way waaaaay too seriously, and making too much of our area of strength. And I'm not trying to judge folks on this thread - I'm judging my own younger self! I also don't mean to get down on smart people. I think it's the same with anyone who pairs their talent with their insecurity to come up with this I'm better than you because I'm better at X attitude. Yeah, who's gonna be at ease with that? It's like a playboy bunny saying I'm better than you cause I got naked pictures in a magazine. Or a yoga master: I'm better than you cause I bend like a pretzel. Or an actor: I'm better than you because I do Shakespeare. All of these people may be good at stuff, but they're all annoying!

Yeah, so I'm with Vertigo, I think intelligence can be way cool - if there's a sense of humor and some humility along with it. It's taken me a lot of years to figure that out! (And I'm supposed to be smart? )

-----------------------------------------------
hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left

CITIZEN

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:19 PM

Give it a rest brainiak.

Quote:
I'm not claiming that I don't diserve my degree.

:p

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

MAL4PREZ

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
Give it a rest brainiak.
Quote:
I'm not claiming that I don't diserve my degree.
:p

Which only goes to prove how right I am. My degree wasn't in spelling.

Is such a thing as a spelling IQ? I'm so not in that smarty club!

-----------------------------------------------
hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left

CITIZEN

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:
Which only goes to prove how right I am. My degree wasn't in spelling.

ɯy spelliug are ɘxemplɒry.

Quote:
Is such a thing as a spelling IQ? I'm so not in that smarty club!

There's a spelling Haiku:
Spelling is very hard
Lucky for mal there is hope,
Computer Spellchecker

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

AGENTROUKA

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 7:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by mal4prez:

My point being: I think us "smart" people can create our own uncoolness by taking ourselves way way waaaaay too seriously, and making too much of our area of strength.

**(snip)**

All of these people may be good at stuff, but they're all annoying!

So beautifully said and so very right. *G*

MAL4PREZ

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 2:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
ɯy spelliug are ɘxemplɒry.

Whoa. You created characters. Now that's a skill!

AR: I just love being right. :p

-----------------------------------------------
hmm-burble-blah, blah-blah-blah, take a left

CITIZEN

Wednesday, January 16, 2008 8:20 PM

Don't start in with that there psychology boff-meister. I'm an emu. I mean emune.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

GORAMMAN

Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:51 AM

I've read about 25% of the replys here but I'll throw my two cents in anyways.

I took your use of the term "cool" to mean appealing to others. If you want your intelligence to be appealing to others use it with confidence.

Confidence + X = Cool, given X is within your abilities.

That is the formula. People, even intelligent ones, are easily influenced. If you can project confidence they will believe you and believe in you. This is not exclusive to mainstream interests.

If you lack confidence there is still hope... it can be faked as long as you can talk as if you had it. If you can't do that then yes...it will not be cool. Only the people who really appreciate X will think it's cool.

It will work in the class room, at work, in life, with your kids, and when you are posting a video of a freestyle rap in the McDonalds drive through on YouTube.

PREV PAGE 1 2 3 4 5 NEXT PAGE