On the question of intelligence
What is it about our society that we seem to strive for ever more knowledge? Apparently it is best to be the most knowledgeable person who can constantly outsmart your peers at work or give advice to the ones you love. How does that lead to a more satisfied live? How does this lead to more success? This article expresses my current thoughts on being more intelligent or having more knowledge, which in my opinion are not one and the same thing. The following doesn't claim to be scientifically correct, as I would spent my entire life to produce the evidence. I shall call it common sense or logic, even though Spok might disagree. Let´s think deeper.
Effects of intelligence on happiness
The less intelligent and knowledgeable you are the more ignorant you grow. The more ignorant you are, the less you will doubt and feel uneasy about what is happening around you. The less inquisitive you are the more you will be able to accept things which are happening and make the best out of the situation rather than trying to get to the bottom of things or turn back the wheels of time. I personally feel more happy when I accept things for what they are and have less doubts. In addition I observe that I seem to be easier to be with in that state of mind.
Effects of intelligence on progress
This links to doubts in the paragraph before. Intelligence with no courage will lead to procrastination as you will find reasons not to proceed with the current task at hand. Conditions are not right, I don't have the right skills, I lack the network, my neighbor's dog is barking while I am doing my homework. Whatever you may come up with. Looking at the great successes in business like Apple, Virgin &Paul Mitchell (just to name a few), intelligence doesn't seem to be at the core of progress and success but courage, boldness and timing. Intelligence has to play a part, but is it the key ingredient?
Effects of intelligence on people
If you prove to be smarter than someone else and constantly make them feel that you have the better solutions, what will most likely happen? Most likely you will create a level of dependency & laziness in the other person depending on how much independence they are willing to give up. You might even produce a certain degree of annoyance in relation to how much intrusion in personal dealings or "smart-assing" people around you are willing to accept.
Conclusion
From my personal point of view the challenge lies within using your brains without undermining yourself and the people around you. True wisdom (wisdom, knowledge & intelligence ... may be worth an article in itself) could lie in the awareness of the demarcation line between ratio and actio and to make the right choice in the right time for one of these. How to improve your intelligence and stay fit at the same time even complicates things further. To sum it up intelligence seems to be a tool which can be used in the right place, at the right time, for the right purpose if the individual is able to reflect upon themselves in a healthy manner given the circumstances. If this is not the case intelligence will breed cynicism, sarcasm, doubt, inaction, cruelty & ultimately unhappiness for yourself and those around you.
What do you think ?
