Intelligence vs IQ vs Education vs Common sense

[Cass]

Who is the smartest person you know? and what is smart?

My husband is a brilliant business man, mathematician, engineer, designer but he could not find something in his closet if his life depended on it.

"Honey, where is my brown sweater?

"It's in your closet"

"I don't see it ~ it's not here"

I go look and it is right there.... how can someone so intelligent not be able to locate a sweater in plain view?

Some of the wisest people I know, do not have degrees or any higher education. Common sense, and great insight outweighs a masters degree in my opinion.

Some of the most educated people I know are totally screwed up relationship wise, they cannot communicate and fail time and again with their partners, they have no social skills and just can't handle the give and take of a relationship.

Highly intelligent people are often obnoxious and find others beneath them.

How do you feel about this?

I think a well rounded person with some knowledge of the world, tolerence for others, common sense and compassion is much better off than a brilliant, highly educated person with no social skills.

[CARLA]

I agree Cass, a well rounded person is usually better in most situations.

My brother in law is a brilliant doctor, but he can't find his way to a soccer field period. We even had ON-STAR activated in his car. He will use it every now, and then. When he does he arrives on time. But for some reason, he continues to think he can get there on his own.. HE CAN'T, IT'S JUST THAT SIMPLE..!!

I have know many brilliant people who have not one ounce of COMMON SENSE..!!

[A Karenina]

My father was the smartest person I ever knew.

If I had to define what I think intelligence is, I would say that it is the ability to learn new information, to process it, and to use it for your own benefit. Doesn't matter where you learn it, what the subject is, or if it's mental, emotional, and/or physical. We all have a blend of these three major components. In essence, understanding our own unique blend is a sign of intelligence. (grin)

[BabyRider]

Cass, I totally agree with you. My sister is one of the smartest people I know, and thankfully, she is not lacking in the basics of social skills. On ocassion she does come across as superior, but in certain instances her intelligence is superior. My ex brother-in-law, however, not so much. He is VERY book-smart, but that's all. No common sense, zero social graces, and nil in the street-smarts department. At family gatherings, while the rest of the family is hanging out, having fun, he found the furthest corner and stuck his nose in a book, and spoke to no one. He so very obviously thought he was superior to EVERYONE he came in contact with it was nauseating. So, yes, a good balance of brains and social skills AND humbleness is preferred. He never did master that, smart as he is. Hmmm....

[Cass]

Yes, I agree about humble ~ when people tell you how smart they are (compared to you) it is insulting.

[koan]

The smartest people I have met are bipolar, clinically depressed or schitzophrenic.
The wisest people I know have simple jobs and simple lives.
The most educated people I know are slaves to their knowledge/careers.

[Cass]

Originally Posted by koan

The smartest people I have met are bipolar, clinically depressed or schitzophrenic.

The wisest people I know have simple jobs and simple lives.

The most educated people I know are slaves to their knowledge/careers.

Well koan, that about sums it up. Very good summation too!

[CARLA]

KOAN,

Brilliant wording, you have summed it up perfectly..!!

Originally Posted by koan
The smartest people I have met are bipolar, clinically depressed or schitzophrenic.

The wisest people I know have simple jobs and simple lives.

The most educated people I know are slaves to their knowledge/careers.

[koan]

*takes a bow*

Thank you, Thank you very much.

[Suresh Gupta]

A nice topic for discussion.

In India we have a saying - 'My hair have not turned white in sun', meaning that the wisdom I possess has not come from bookish knowledge and age but from experience & understanding of the world around me.