The Genius of Man

" The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." - Albert Einstein

Are You Really Smart?

It's a common saying that we only use 10% of our brain power. Having the world believe such a notion is a perfect example of how egotistical we are as a species. Mankind can't accept the fact that they might be using all of their brain power. This gives man the opportunity to believe that there's room for improvement, that somehow he will develop into a more intelligent being; some would say the Übermensch (A German expression of the perfect man).

From time immemorial, man has not changed, except for his environment. Therefore, to say we only use 10% of our brain power is ludicrous. Have you even considered that Albert Einstein, Newton, and Da Vinci were atypical variants of the human species - maybe these men were just exceptions, and so we define them as 'Genius'.

What about Women?

Sociological studies suggest that we live in a patriarchal society, where men are superior and women inferior. And so the same reasoning is taken with regards to intelligence. But, is this the right method to take?

Cleopatra (69 BC - 30 BC) whose beauty was well documented, was also articulate, savvy, and a great seducer. Her conquests included Julius Caesar and Mark Anthony, who were both notable men. Furthermore, Cleopatra was the last Pharaoh of Egypt, and so she had know the business of ruling a country. All in all, Cleopatra's intelligence was far superior than her male counterparts.

Conclusion...

The world we live in is ruled by arbitrary notions that fuel our self esteem. If we are to believe that man's intelligence will improve beyond our expectations, then his thinking is outlandish, and needs to be more pragmatic.