random thought/today's lecture

I looked up intelligence and IQ tests.
the reason why i looked up the subject of intelligence is that it struck me as odd that one's intelligence could be tested by ... a test. sounds weird, I know. I was even thinking about an IQ test (i've never taken one before) and guessed how it would be performed. I am assuming that it would be pointless to ask the participant dates, times, names, etc on the academic test level. That doesn't test one's "intelligence". As a standard the average person, when asked, would say that intelligence: "is how much information a person knows". usually. But truly, that isn't how smart a person really is. actually there is no universally accepted definition of intelligence. ....kinda like no one definition for GOD. anyways, I supported my theory of how an intelligence test should be/should not be conducted. think of this: do you think an average student that has a driver's license, a high school diploma, and a low level accountant job.... is more intelligent than ..say... a same age person of a jungle tribe community that cannot drive, use a computer, and hasn't read a book in his/her life?

if you don't get my point from that example let me further elaborate:

imagine .....eh.... Albert Einstein .... born in said tribe. then imagine some average douche that you or I may know and teach them the "average" things of our modern life. does that mean albert is no longer more intelligent than some average "monkey" taught to use tools? furthermore, do you think that genius relies upon what was taught and not ones own true abilities? That doesn't mean that I think a "tribal albert einstein" could still come up with the theory of relativity, but I think if we were to grow up under the exact same conditions his intelligence would shine through somehow.

conclusion: you cannot test a person's intelligence simply on their ability to read books. it DOES have a part in intelligence, however it should not be the basis for their smarts. so, next time you hear someone joke or are even serious when they use OVERinformation to describe something... doesn't mean they're intelligent. actually, my opinion: someone who knows all the extreme details of a given subject but is able to communicate only that which is necessary in order to have a successful dialog or accomplish a goal without confusion is a real smarty. a true intellectual should talk in a manner that they can be understood. everytime I watch a movie or *cringe* meet someone in real life that speaks in jargon that they know that no one else will understand to make themselves feel smarter makes me laugh. if they're so smart, why can't they communicate in simple terms or even make the information relevant to the subject at hand?

practical application: just watch people of "intelligence" and have an inner laugh if they can't use their gifts. more importantly, use this ramble as a way to notice these trends in people and perhaps alter your own actions and words.

It popped in my head when I watched a tv show and someone spit out their "IQ number" and I was curious how they got that number. turns out that number doesn't mean too much and isn't what you think it is. now, I find it humorous when someone says their number and it is generally an "oooh, you're smart" reaction. and those who have high IQs usually have the same demeanor and act in a stereotypical manner.
i read that even silly quizzes like "football iq", "sex iq", etc are WAY off on the proper useage. a single number could not measure such a complex thing as intelligence. i asked a few people what they think intelligence is and the majority said, "how much a person knows". I thought so too until I looked it up and pondered about it.

"Intelligence is an umbrella term used to describe a property of the mind that encompasses many related abilities, such as the capacities to reason, to plan, to solve problems, to think abstractly, to comprehend ideas, to use language, and to learn. There are several ways to define intelligence. In some cases, intelligence may include traits such as creativity, personality, character, knowledge, or wisdom. However there is no agreement on which traits define the phenomenon of intelligence agreed upon by a majority across the various concerned disciplines."


...now you know.