"This is a highly intelligent, wise and perceptive expert being before me." That's the default assessment. I enter conversation with that in mind. I can adjust the assessment down incrementally, if I need to. It no longer amazes me that I very seldom have need to adjust it much, except around those pesky and ubiquitous lacunae in specific knowledges.
Adjusting for ignorance is easy--and my calm acceptance of another's ignorance of X will be answered by her friendly acceptance of my ignorance of Y. Ignorance can be remedied. A brief swap of 'the essentials of X' for 'the essentials of Y' yields profit to both, and the conversation can continue.
It's not a hard protocol.
Marks of intelligence?
Subtle distinctions used subtly is a strong clue. Not a proof, though, as it may simply be a well-trained but otherwise unextraordinary spokeshole belching out a prepared 'speech for situation C.' And if 'subtlety' marks intelligence, how subtle is it?
Squelching ambiguities before they fester is an excellent indicator. It displays a real interest in being understood rightly, and in taking rightly understandings in return. (It might be indicating a lie, of course; the intelligent can be evil, dissembling, manipulative, etc. Like me.)
I can recite the names of the handful of people I've found so low in intelligence that the disparity made either of us uncomfortable. It'd only take a couple of seconds.
Do I value intelligence? Probably not as much as you expect. Four wheels and a motor is a car. Most of the time, the car you have is car enough. As a matter of principle, therefore, I will tell you that I drive a beat-up '93 Dodge Caravan with a skull and crossbones painted crudely on the blood-red hood. I will not divulge my IQ. Ever. That way lies madness.
2007-11-14 09:21:42
·
answer #1
·
answered by skumpfsklub 6
·
1⤊
1⤋
Darn good question.
I do not believe in typical determinations of intellect. My tested IQ is ~160. Technically, that makes me a genious. haha.
However my g/f has a much lower IQ, and is much more intelligent. That is because intelligence, true intelligence, and not Academic Intelligence (the IQ score BS) is misunderstood. True intelligence=creativity.
Hard to accept for some, but it's true. There are various types of creativity.
Take for example music - You have many classically trained musicians that are technically amazing, but do you know (many) of their names? Probably not. You know the names of those that were creative.
That is a fundamental difference. As a musician, an amazing thing is this; How does my learning NOT negatively affect my ability to create.
'IQ', however, is a very traditional idea. And traditions, like teachers, teach individuals NOT how to be more individual, but how to be teachers. Teachers teaching teachers. Seem just a little futile ? It's a problem with Academia everywhere. I love math and science, but lets look at something; wherever you go, whether St. Louis, Misery, or Shangai, China, what subjects are generally given less importance? Liberal Arts are least stressed.
And beautiful creativity, Intelligence with a capital 'I', is slowly killed.
Standards are different, because men's and woman's creativity is stigmatized in different ways. As is each individual's creativity.
I believe the proper prescription for this problem is to look to children. Comparatively, each of us as a child, saw less barriers. There is no BS inhibition keeping us from the obvious problems. Ask a child how to solve world hunger, and they'll tell you. Bring them food. (eliminate free trade)
The reason kids lose this ability, is they are told 'No'. "You can't do it that way" (BS) ((they just did))
Traditional intelligence brings traditional results. Results we already have. True Intelligence/Creativity brings new answers, what we Really Need.
So, if you agree with any of that, maybe a key to seeing such Intelligence quickly in an individual, would be (to improve) your own creativity, express it, and as a result, the reaction will be open-minded or not. The more open-minded, the more Intelligence. Let's hear some wilder ideas! email me I love talking about this subject.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge"
-Albert Einstein
2007-11-14 08:54:07
·
answer #2
·
answered by Anonymous
·
2⤊
0⤋
I think pure intelligence of the IQ variety is way way overrated, and is actually dangerous in those with no moral compass. I have always preferred people who are emotionally intelligent e.g. has an instinct for what is important Vs what is unimportant in life, knows how & when to laugh, has a good bs detector etc. Most importantly, I have figured out that attractive people are more intelligent too. I also like people who can tell when I am using irony without me having to say 'Hey, stop stabbing me. I was kidding just then'.
2007-11-14 08:56:47
·
answer #3
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
1⤋
One definition is:
The speed with which you are able to use your knowledge in a situation, and the strength of your ability to use that knowledge.
Intelligence is the process of applying what you've learned to every problem you encounter throughout the day. Of course, wittiness, book smarts, and natural ability are all components of this idea.
A person who can't transfer those book smarts to solving real life problems, or who can't use those ideas in a conversation, (or who can't explain them to others) is not as intelligent as those who know little, but use what they know in the most efficient ways.
Am I intelligent? Mensa thinks so. More importantly, my husband thinks so, and we have a grand time talking and debating each other.
2007-11-14 10:58:07
·
answer #4
·
answered by Junie 6
·
0⤊
0⤋
There are so many different aspects to intelligence and people have various intellectual virtues that shine through in different ways, reflecting temperament as much as aptitude.
What most impresses me is the ability to carefully dissect a problem, to draw novel and fruitful comparisons, to view a problem up close and to step back as well and to approach it from novel angles. That's actually quite rare, however.
2007-11-14 11:14:21
·
answer #5
·
answered by Gnu Diddy! 5
·
0⤊
0⤋
over the last twenty years i have trained a couple dozen people and the most intelligent, in my opinion was the one that understood my instructions the best without repetition and understood the reasoning behind the methods.
set four parts in front of an intelligent person, he will understand how they go together and more even grasp the 'why' of the order.
He/She doesnt matter. The 'most intelligent' person mentioned above was female, but the second best was male. Plumbing doesn't effect your brain.
2007-11-14 08:25:44
·
answer #6
·
answered by Faesson 7
·
0⤊
1⤋
I like people who are well-rounded and creative. For example. I don't find someone to be very intelligent if they were an A+ honor student but can't get along in social situations. I believe intelligence is the ability to adapt to different situations, to solve problems in multiple areas.
I don't think you can judge true intelligence in a single conversation with someone, but you can certainly get an idea of whether or not they're a total idiot. :)
2007-11-14 08:18:12
·
answer #7
·
answered by suliman 3
·
5⤊
1⤋
1-Sharp/analytical-- has to be aware of his/her surroundings and pick up on things quickly
2-Knowledgeable ---not necessarily book knowledge but has to have an understanding of the world and its functioning
3-Socially skilled---interacting with others requires 1&2---you can be book smart but socially challenged, that's not considered too intelligent
4- Witty--wit requires quick response & instant evaluation of the right time and place that an intelligent people should be able to handle
I think the whole package is needed for me to percieve person as intelligent.
EDIT:
Steve: Wisdom comes with age, we don't want to discriminate against the younger intelligent people on here :)
2007-11-14 08:34:28
·
answer #8
·
answered by Lioness 6
·
3⤊
0⤋
Ren & Lioness' answers are spot-on. One thing to add:
The most intelligent people I know also possess enough modesty and wisdom to recognize that they don't have all the answers and can't solve every problem alone.
So, they are intelligent enough to know when to rely on others to solve certain problems.
The next question is, which is better, intelligence or wisdom?
Me? Dumb as a rock.
Lioness:
Au contrare! Wisdom is the ability to use knowledge to solve and/or avoid problems. Even the very young can do that, if they are willing.
Unfortunately, many of us are so hardheaded that we have to "learn the hard way" how to use the knowledge we have to solve and/or avoid problems, which takes years and years.
2007-11-14 09:07:16
·
answer #9
·
answered by Anonymous
·
2⤊
2⤋
Problem solving and logical thinking. Wittiness is often a sign of intelligence. Thinking 'outside of the box' is another.
Anyone can read books or listen to lectures and regurgitate what they have been taught. But applying the knowledge is a different animal.
This is what separates (some) humans from the animals.
2007-11-14 08:17:59
·
answer #10
·
answered by Anonymous
·
8⤊
1⤋