Note: this post is in no way about those with disabilities of any sort. This is my ramblings on all humans in general.
We are dumb humans. Mindless flesh shells choosing to be dumb.
If you don't agree with that statement please, take a moment to process why you are unequipped to discern the obvious. As for those who understand what up, awareness of stupidity is only awareness, and we are still dumb.
Many people will feel personally attacked by the time they are reading this line. Rebuttal comments controlled by unchecked emotions are a growing.
Relax. I'm dumb too. High five! Are we cool?
As I was saying:
We humanoids walk around in a putrid cloud that we can't even smell because we are so accustomed to the filth of our own illusions, avoidance, and fear. We look up to twits and twats like a 7 year old who thinks everyone is awesome.
Humans have evolved faster and healthier than most living things. At least, that's what we think from our seat on the bus. So much progress, yet we don't know how to consciously utilize our mysterious organ that that is filled with possibilities unknown.
Previous to writing this article, I was writing (yes, always playing with my words) and found myself thinking about Albert Einstein. Then, I began thinking about Thomas Edison, Nikola Tesla, Da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, and the company of.
Photo by Taton Moïse on Unsplash
Thereupon, I came to an awakening of a few things;
Humans rely on the intelligence, perspectives, and successes of a few super brains, like Einstein. We have fed off of wise philosophers, determined inventors, ancient travelers, empowering dreamers, quick thinkers, and motivational speakers since the dust settled and shaped us. We like to think of the brainy ones as genius', talented, or strong. We look upon many trailblazers as abnormal with unique brains- super brains that function better than the rest.
We honor the revolutionary creators with titles and descriptions like:
- Genius
- Philosopher
- Prophets
- Brilliant
- Mastermind
- Master
- Psychic
- Special
- Unique
- Gifted
- Revolutionary
- Ahead of their time
- Greatest
- Accomplished
- Prodigy
--------------------- but, the others are none of those things; they are just people.... like us.
Sure, Jacob Barnett had an IQ of 170 when he was 12 years old, Da Vinci 220, William Sidis (Good Will Hunting film was inspired by) 300, and Nikola Tesla had an IQ that peaked at 330!!!
Wow! Those people are so smart!!! -- NO.
We are just so dumb that people who actually use their brain to learn, troubleshoot, contemplate, and create seem like inhuman creatures with magical brain boxes. These super humans have sophisticated eyes, seeing what us dummies usually cannot, enviable self control, hyper focus that would make a prowling cheetah shy, and determination that could, and has, consumed a lifetimes. Us, the not super human's, we are dumb because we bring it on ourselves. We forget how to be smart upon entering public educational institutions.
What Are Key Differences Between those of Higher Intelligence and ... Us?
HEY! ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION? this is what I was working up to.
Intelligent people aren't born with exceptional brains, family genetics are definitely irrelevant, statistics point out that wealth and health can have some influence on higher intelligence but those factors are not a cause for greatness; albeit, lack of wealth or health can anesthetize a "genius" before it gets to bud.
Photo by Skye Studios on Unsplash
WHAT THEY HAVE THAT WE DON'T:
They think. and think. and think. and think. Distractions certainly occur, but highly intelligent people often navigate back to their topic. Even while engaging in unrelated activities, a thinker continues to think.
Creative thinkers use their brain like a tool box of infinite resources.
They wonder. They wonder about many things, maybe everything.
They pay attention often, if not always.
They have or make time; time to think, time to ponder, time to wonder, time to research, time to study, evaluate, estimate, and sometimes do nothing at all.
No distractions: Intelligent people often don't engage in distractions like screens, sex, gambling, or even relationships in many cases.
Now, before you say, "Ana I think so much that I can't sleep at night and wonder if the Vikings are going to win the Super Bowl or if my wife will put out in the morning. Right now, I'm thinking about waking her for a quickly. I wonder if she will get mad? I'm thinking that is a bad idea. Those genius' that you talk about had less shit to do, it isn't my fault that I don't have extra time to sit and do nothing. I do think in the car and shower. Oh, and my wife and I haven't have sex in 3 months. Sorry to tell you Ana, your point list of what smart people do differently way off!".
I agree, the listed items are not foreign to the average dummy, but scrambled, interrupted, forsaken, unfinished, half assed, unorganized, thoughts that lack intent and determination, not the same as Nikola Tesla's deep thought process.
I don't know if I would say that everyone has potential to be unusually remarkable, but I do believe that the greats of our world are not the height of human intelligence, most were average. What Einstein achieved was only a product of wonder, observation, combined with obsessive thoughts and a yearning to answer questions with creative thinking. It wasn't only the notorious genius', nearly every human who altered our world have or had similar behaviors. Sure, there are some exceptions - always are.
I conclude, we are dumb, mindless humans that leave the actual thinking to others. We are so comfortable with our soft luxuries that it doesn't even occur to observe what could be. We are brainwashed to believe that only scientists are scientists, and artists are artists, and inventors are inventors. We are worn down into a single job title, or a few throughout life; and that is what we are and will do. Even if someone is inspired to wonder and think--- there isn't much time for that. Imagine if Einstein worked at a call centre for 12 hours 5 days a week taking back to back calls from angry customers; or Tesla; or Marie Curie; IMAGINE.
Photo by Marija Zaric on Unsplash
Copyright 2021 Ana Clark
All written content by Ana Clark.
Photo Credits are noted and linked under photos.
Wow, if I didn’t know better I’d think that I listened to that clip prior to writing my article. That’s crazy.
My affinity to Zappa just mooned. He’s my kindred spirit.
Thank you for sharing.
I believe that what differentiates exceptional people from ordinary people is action. It is not enough to think about interesting things, or discover new ideas, you need to create, get your hands dirty, do something useful with your thoughts. People who are considered extremely intelligent did that. Not only did think, but they went there and did it. Everyone is capable of this, but most do not want to.
I agree.
There are some that often dream of great things, ideas, and knowledge. Within the few that haven’t fully had that trait beaten out, distractions, obligations, and uncertainty paralyze.
Time and unwavering determination aren’t plentiful.
It’s shame.
Brains are so underused and undervalued.
Well said, anaclark and I had similar thoughts when I was working on my fitness. My fitter classmates prioritized fitness and made it a part of their lives. While I was playing video games and studying. By shifting my focus I was able to get it done and I suppose the same works with 'genius' as well.
Good for you! Going from the sofa to fitness is a hard transition. I mean, sofas are manipulative with their promises of comfort. Lol
I have been learning about thinking recently (that sounds odd in itself) but maybe the terminology of "dumb" is a cute way of saying that someone ranks low on the spectrum of critical thinking. Somewhere along the line, this massively important skill/characteristic has been buried under a plethora of cheap, instantly gratifying things to get our dopamine flowing.
The patience and persistence to see something through and approach with critical and creative thinking is replaced with tweets and tik tok videos. Oh well. Time to fire up YouTube and get lost in an endless train of algorithm picks 😁
Having read your comment, specifically your quote, “dumb” I was thrown on that I used that word. This isn’t an active word in my vocabulary.
Sometimes when I write, words and statements manifest as though they have their own life. Often, I let linguists guide and drag me to give it life.
How strange, reading my post now.
—-
I think that people are taught not to engage in critical thinking, unless it pertains to curriculum, work place, or basic every day functioning.
Don’t colour out of the lines, connect the dots IN ORDER, act accordingly— these are all small, yet effective, rules that ultimately wash away our drive to think outside of routine and obligations.
Add to that, barriers that weaken little by little. And, personal failures. Negative speak from others and self.
Critical and creative thinking is a natural born humanly characteristic. Nature and instinctive drive gets lost in life’s journey.
Haha, I wasn't having a go at you using the word "dumb", it's ultimately just a word you use to mean the same thing as what I was thinking. Letting yourself just write is the ultimate expression and creativity so do you and then others will interpret it how they want.
I agree with you that you're just told how to behave, like it or lump it, in all walks of life. There comes an age when that inquisitive kid who keeps asking "why?" stops doing it and it's sad. It took me a while to get that line of questioning back but it's amazing how our barriers break down over time as I'm also experiencing again... just keeping asking "why", be 5 years old again :)
Oh you are so right! This is quite the same thing I keep saying. Most humans and dumb and they don't care about not being dumb, they don't even want to try. And most like to think it takes too much to carry out a simple decent thought process. They keep leaving all their thinking to others, leaving it to the Bible, the Quran and other religious books, leaving it to their pastors, their uncles, their parents and quotes and memes on the internet 😂😂
You're also right that the really intelligent usually focus and try to have less to do, but I love and respect sex too much that I wouldn't tolerate your mentioning abstinence from sex as one of the things required. By all means I wouldn't let you say such a thing about sex, it is like blasphemy - you're blaspheming against sex and saying it holds a person back. I won't let that happen, that's why I present to you the fact that Einstein loved sex, he was married and he continued to cheat on his wife regularly 😂😂. And Thomas Edison married twice and fathered 6 children. Quite the pipe layer, I must say.
as much as i would like to think that the human species is capable of anything I do understand that we are limited in so many ways. i do not think everyone is capable of supposed extraordinary feats but we can raise the bar if we want. the question is: what's the incentive to go beyond the norm?
I think the difference between one and the other lies in the ability to go for what you believe in. All these people you mention in your publication have something in common: the obsession to go one step further. Most of us are satisfied with reaching a certain goal, while very few keep moving towards the horizon even knowing that they will never reach it, however, that obsession to go further is what really differentiates them from the rest of humanity.
"awareness of stupidity is only awareness, and we are still dumb" :D your post does not agree with the famous "cognito ergo sum", but still your quote more fits my way of thinking
Ha! I love this response.