How Can I Improve My Intelligence and Speed of Thought?

[Rocket_guy]

As I always believe .. Champions don't do different things .. they do things differently !

 

[Rocket_guy]

Try smarter and ofcourse try harder .. Hard work always pays .. believe me .. I have known people who have succeeded with 10% intelligence and 90% hardwork .. and ofcourse .. "harder" is probably more important than "smarter" ..

 

[verty]

To me it seems that people typically say that harder is worth more because they think smarter is out of reach, like smart is something one is, not something one becomes. I thought like this before and I now think it is a grand lie.

Anyone can turn their attention inwards and develop a better learning method. Thinking that being smart is unreachable is, I think, a slave mentality, like if a woman were to not bother to become educated for fear of not being able to find work.

I only chose to say "try smarter" because of a previous post in this thread where I tried to show that it is attainable. I certainly didn't mean to trigger a "harder is better" reaction (if such a reaction was indeed triggered, it matters not). No consolation is necessary because this is something reachable to all.

No one should have to console themselves that their lot is set, I think that is a lie and if we can transcend that mentality and lead ourselves to an introspective study of our methods, they can improve and we can improve them further by learning about them.

Perhaps one's capacity to identify patterns in perception is something relatively immutable but even if that is true it doesn't impinge on the fact that one's capacity to direct their attention to what is important is mutable, very mutable and easy to improve. All you need to do is to introspect on your learning method and work to improve it. This is doable.

 

[Bbabel]

Maybe we all fell into the same trap. No matter what intellectual level you are at, the trap gathers all of us into it :)

Later Addition:

The answers we find are only temp, for our likening of the answers we find. It suites to work for us and the situation. It plays with our limitation.

Vague can it be.

Have fun...

 

[Rocket_guy]

To me it seems that people typically say that harder is worth more because they think smarter is out of reach, like smart is something one is, not something one becomes. I thought like this before and I now think it is a grand lie.

Anyone can turn their attention inwards and develop a better learning method. Thinking that being smart is unreachable is, I think, a slave mentality, like if a woman were to not bother to become educated for fear of not being able to find work.

I only chose to say "try smarter" because of a previous post in this thread where I tried to show that it is attainable. I certainly didn't mean to trigger a "harder is better" reaction (if such a reaction was indeed triggered, it matters not). No consolation is necessary because this is something reachable to all.

No one should have to console themselves that their lot is set, I think that is a lie and if we can transcend that mentality and lead ourselves to an introspective study of our methods, they can improve and we can improve them further by learning about them.

Perhaps one's capacity to identify patterns in perception is something relatively immutable but even if that is true it doesn't impinge on the fact that one's capacity to direct their attention to what is important is mutable, very mutable and easy to improve. All you need to do is to introspect on your learning method and work to improve it. This is doable.

Well .. if only smartness was sufficient to transform one's habits, this place would have been Heaven! Smartness, I assume here means the different ( and better)way of doing things. If someone is trying to look up into this thread is probably "smart" enough to know his/her requirements. They are probably smart enough to know and understand that their capabilities can be enhanced. Its their smartness that they are tracking this thread. But how much info. they will gather divided by how much they need .. and in how much time will be directly proportional to their hardwork!

getting motivated ( more often .. emotionally inspired ) getting to table, making notes of what they need and what they got .. how much they can do and how much they want to do .. making strategies and making "smarter" plans .. is ofcourse the smartness, but keeping yourself follow these guidelines even after one week and then for a month, till they become a habit .. is definitely the "Harder" part. Most of us don't succeed becoz of the harder part!
A guy that changed his habits .. or better say, the habit of the brain to "think" the way it thinks into the way it "should" think .. the habit of head to store little, no matter how much u try to remember into the habit to remember even the minutest details, only by smart ways .. is either one who never tried to change or he's a damn liar!
I have a friend at college .. and he's not even average by the level of thinking and grasping .. as compared to other average students in my class .. but he is the one who scored the higest rank .. reason? he can work thrice as much as I do. he just followed a simple philosophy .. that he should know everything that's printed in the book .. not smart thing ofcourse .. but it solved his purpose. While most of us in class kept trying within us -"the smarter ways to improve ourselves".. his consistency helped him score the first rank in the previous semester!
Most of the guys keep telling me that he isn't bright and will obviously loose in the long run ... but I still see him standing on the stage .. holding the trophy and smiling ..

In a HARD nut's shell .. Your brain isn't going to change its habits if u just keep it moving it by millimeters .. okay maybe u will travel one centimetre in an year or two .. but if anyone is looking forward for a steady change .. he will need to push himself Harder and Harder ... only then you will be able to not only meet ur opponents but also beat them! Who will want to be kept lagging behined in class for one year and then mybe someday score gud .. or who want co-workers to keep looking down at them till they get some improvement .. maybe in an year .. moving millimeters .. maybe it will be too late then .. Rather pushing urself harder and harder and getting the results out .. or making yourself yield the results and win back the respect you need .. just in time and save the day for yourself ... I think pushing "harder" will be a "smarter" choice but its going to be a lot "Harder" !

 

[verty]

I must also make the point that I don't mean that one should set goals. I think goals are fruit of the same poisonous tree. I have never managed to keep to setting goals because inevitably I fail to meet them. It is surely very difficult to set realistic goals because one would need to know exactly how quickly one works, exactly what the task requires, all the environmental factors that might affect that process, etc.

So goals don't do it for me. In my experience, setting goals only makes me feel despondent because inevitably they are unrealistic and I can't meet them or they are mundane and then meeting them fails to make me feel good, I feel like anyone could do that.

So I don't mean smarter as in goal setting and following a strategy and all that rubbish. I mean that one looks now at what one can do in the present. The focus should not be on the future, on where I want to be or whatever, but now, what I can do now to change things.

All journeys start with a single step but to me, the step is more important than the journey. I want to walk, perhaps aimlessly but at least methodically. Then as I progress, I can come to direct where I am walking to. The problem I see is that people get overwhelmed about deciding where to walk to and therefore don't walk.

So journey is really the wrong word because it implies a chosen destination. To me, learning has no destination, it is a process in the present which has worth in itself. Perhaps exploring is a better word; learners are explorers rather than journeymen (and women). We explore and see where it takes us.

All I want to do is to get people to start exploring. If that means ignoring the destination then that is good. I think this pragmatic trend of learning for a purpose, learning to work or earn money, is debilitating for many who think their lot is to be inferior.

I also think that our education is flawed because it doesn't produce explorers. My education was like a journey to a set point, the subject matter was chosen except for very broad decisions like whether to become an engineer or whatever. One goes through the mill that is education and emerges having been on a journey but only as a passenger. This is no way to travel.

So anyway, my point is that the understanding that I think most of us have of education is that it is something that is difficult and that to become educated we must pay someone to lead us. However, I think this is a gross misconception and that we can all become explorers, we have it in us even though certain factors in society would perhaps rather not have us explore on our own.

Your lot is not decided, exploring is not for the superior but for the adventurous, and I want people to become adventurous. The way to start is to focus on how you learn and work to improve that process.

 

[CuriousArv]

If it were up to me and the world was willing to embrace this attitude the following system would be a better for education.

because of our longer life spans and the promise of even longer life spans due to better medical practises, I think education should be stretched out probably till you are 30. yes economically this seems ludricrist but the model can be changed grdually over a period of time.

Throughout school, subjects like logic, psychology, philosophy and history should be emphasised and there should be less emphasis on applied things. I don't think I would be as lost with how to think now if there was not so much focus on the applied as there is in our education systems.

and I think the majority of people's prejudices and biases would be lesser if such an education system was in place. I think the world really needs this type of reform. It will produce more explorers that way regardless of ability as verty is saying.

 

[Bbabel]

Set sail towards education,

I'm certain critical studies have surveyed the developmental process' of students. Does socialization (that is social groupings in class') determine a kids future. I'd like to believe the current way education is being brought unto students is actually the right way. Class'/Grades/genders/cultures, let nature find it's way with this process. The problem is learning to divide in Grade 4 or 5. It's what's being taught to students and by whom (sorry for a sorrow narrowing).

The current population in let's say North America (again sorry for this general categorization) (and I am referring to either a majority or minority, either way trying to support whatever I'm supporting) is afraid to even do simple mental work. And they praise or see people that can do this mental work as overall superior. To me this is where we bloat (um>?) or inflate what we can come to understand as superior mental abilities.

So to me it's what is superior to me is not to others. And I'm trying to understand the purpose of creating this image (and I already know the answer :/).

To roll around and play with my keyboard, go ahead play around, work with yourself or with other's, there is a reason why we see sciences as a supreme gateway into our intellects (?). To me it's where i'd limit myself.

 

[Rocket_guy]

I must also make the point that I don't mean that one should set goals. I think goals are fruit of the same poisonous tree. I have never managed to keep to setting goals because inevitably I fail to meet them. It is surely very difficult to set realistic goals because one would need to know exactly how quickly one works, exactly what the task requires, all the environmental factors that might affect that process, etc.

So goals don't do it for me. In my experience, setting goals only makes me feel despondent because inevitably they are unrealistic and I can't meet them or they are mundane and then meeting them fails to make me feel good, I feel like anyone could do that.

So I don't mean smarter as in goal setting and following a strategy and all that rubbish. I mean that one looks now at what one can do in the present. The focus should not be on the future, on where I want to be or whatever, but now, what I can do now to change things.

All journeys start with a single step but to me, the step is more important than the journey. I want to walk, perhaps aimlessly but at least methodically. Then as I progress, I can come to direct where I am walking to. The problem I see is that people get overwhelmed about deciding where to walk to and therefore don't walk.

So journey is really the wrong word because it implies a chosen destination. To me, learning has no destination, it is a process in the present which has worth in itself. Perhaps exploring is a better word; learners are explorers rather than journeymen (and women). We explore and see where it takes us.

All I want to do is to get people to start exploring. If that means ignoring the destination then that is good. I think this pragmatic trend of learning for a purpose, learning to work or earn money, is debilitating for many who think their lot is to be inferior.

I also think that our education is flawed because it doesn't produce explorers. My education was like a journey to a set point, the subject matter was chosen except for very broad decisions like whether to become an engineer or whatever. One goes through the mill that is education and emerges having been on a journey but only as a passenger. This is no way to travel.

So anyway, my point is that the understanding that I think most of us have of education is that it is something that is difficult and that to become educated we must pay someone to lead us. However, I think this is a gross misconception and that we can all become explorers, we have it in us even though certain factors in society would perhaps rather not have us explore on our own.

Your lot is not decided, exploring is not for the superior but for the adventurous, and I want people to become adventurous. The way to start is to focus on how you learn and work to improve that process.

As I said working "smarter" means doing things in a different and better way! If I ever failed on any goals .. it isn't that setting goals is crap. It is becoz I didnt planned the goals properly. It is becoz I didnt worked the better way .. plan your goals and do it in a better way .. analize all ur resourses and set ur priorities. Targets are very important to set! Without them it would be like traveling without knowing where to go! Obviously, its Equally important that we utilize our time in the present and work accordingly .. set short term realistic plans and work it them but equallly important is that we set certain targets in our life. We fail to achieve targets becoz we don't set our priorities well. When we set our goals we got to be very strict with ourselves. Only then the things sem to work out!

This reminds me of a something I would like to share.
Ever heard about the monks at the famous "shaolin temple" doing impossible feats? With big effort they develop abilities which normal human will just dream of! Now if you see these guys perform their feats, you are going to say its fake demonstration! Okay .. coming to point .. What makes them sort of "super human" ?? It is becoz of their hard work and dedication they put into their work ..

If we would have ever put that dedication into our goals .. no one would end up here saying setting goals are crap! It is our tendency to put blame on the plans we make, calling them illogical or unrealistic .. Unrealistic goals are possible .. all they need is unrealistic hardwork. Realistic goals need realistic work input. It all depends how much we can dedicate ourselves. I want to go out with the sexiest girl in the class .. but I have my impending work at home .. I have to set priorities. I go out and say my goals were unrealistic.

As far evry invention or discovery is concerned .. it wasnt like Edison was making something or playing with something and "Oh! bulb lit up!" He knew what he was doing. He knew what he wanted. The bulb was the target. He never said it was unrealistic(though people believed that it was .. before it was invented!). Edison failed plenty of times .. but he never said "its unrealistic!" .. if it was .. he gave in the unrealistic input .. and it was there!
In a nut shell .. as the saying goes .. the more u add sugar to the tea .. the sweeter it will be!

 

[verty]

I still think goals do more bad then good. It is far too easy for even the most dedicated person to set unrealistic goals. I think it is unrealistic to expect people to be able to set realistic goals but it is assumed that they can or should be able to do that when we are told to set realistic goals. How do we do that exactly? It's devoid of content. It tells people what to do but not how to do it, and I think that can be belittling because someone who doesn't know what goals are realistic will surely feel inferior at the suggestion that that is what is required.

Surely a better way is to focus on the method; goals presuppose a workable method and a very good understanding of the execution of such a method. The method must come first. Only once we have reached a consistent level of performance can we then set targets.

Imagine a racing driver who decides to set a 2-minute lap time but has never driven that particular car before. They should not worry about goals but should focus on the method, which would be learning to drive that car in a consistent way. When they can drive consistently well, then only should they start to set targets.

As I said before, evolution of technique requires 3 things: a consistent level of performance, acute awareness and motivation. The consistent level of performance must come first and that is a methodological matter. We must first come to a method and a consistent level of performance of that method.

I think education typically has put the cart before the horse because they don't emphasize the consistent level of performance, which is probably because it is not a great concern of educators if people progress educationally in the future after they have left that institution.

If we do these things in the proper order and develop a method and a consistent level of performance before setting targets or goals, then I think almost anyone can become educated.

 

[Rocket_guy]

I still think goals do more bad then good. It is far too easy for even the most dedicated person to set unrealistic goals. I think it is unrealistic to expect people to be able to set realistic goals but it is assumed that they can or should be able to do that when we are told to set realistic goals. How do we do that exactly? It's devoid of content. It tells people what to do but not how to do it, and I think that can be belittling because someone who doesn't know what goals are realistic will surely feel inferior at the suggestion that that is what is required.

Surely a better way is to focus on the method; goals presuppose a workable method and a very good understanding of the execution of such a method. The method must come first. Only once we have reached a consistent level of performance can we then set targets.

Imagine a racing driver who decides to set a 2-minute lap time but has never driven that particular car before. They should not worry about goals but should focus on the method, which would be learning to drive that car in a consistent way. When they can drive consistently well, then only should they start to set targets.

As I said before, evolution of technique requires 3 things: a consistent level of performance, acute awareness and motivation. The consistent level of performance must come first and that is a methodological matter. We must first come to a method and a consistent level of performance of that method.

I think education typically has put the cart before the horse because they don't emphasize the consistent level of performance, which is probably because it is not a great concern of educators if people progress educationally in the future after they have left that institution.

If we do these things in the proper order and develop a method and a consistent level of performance before setting targets or goals, then I think almost anyone can become educated.

I assume yoou took be wrong pal! Wen I say "setting targets" it means having a particular goal you want to achieve .. a destination you want to reach! How many times have u stepped out of ur home just to explore and not knowing where to go? No-one ever thinks "Lemme move over to three blocks and then I will see where I can go." When you step out,you know where you have to go. That is your goal. You set your goal, for instance, going to office, then you decide how can u be there in time .. this is the planning part, then you chose a path .. this is choosing a strategy, and finally .. you drive at no less than 60mph to get there in time .. that's consistency! If one gets late everyday, he often plans to leave early every morning .. now its not an impossible target .. but still the person gets late .. he's not wrong on planning .. the only way where he is wrong is his "effort".

Even the driver who want to do a lap in two minutes, must know that one day he want to accomplish that feat. Only then he will get into the car, only then he will try to work up his way of learning and only then he will try to be consistent.

I completely agree with you on the three things you said long back 1)consistent performance,2)awareness,3)motivation. Motivation comes only wen u have a desire to achieve something .. that achievement is called "goal" or "Target". Without a target in life .. its like moving on without knowing where to go exactly and believe me my friend .. even after going ahead we are yet not satisfied with ourselves or our lives becoz we don't get what we really wanted ( our goals!) becoz we never knew what we wanted! At then we start to compromise ( Oh! my life's gud, I have a family, kids and maybe some money .. ) but still deep inside we feel we are missing something .. just becoz we didnt knew "what we wanted"!

Edison's example again // he had a target that gave him motivation .. that made him consistent on his performance .. even if he didnt suceeded becosz his "plans" didnt worked .. he tried new ones that led towards his goal. How come he could survuve after failing a thousand times? That's motivation .. which come from goals! The driver's example .. what if that guy learns to drive a new car, drives very well .. and does a nice lap .. and this takes him one year( suppose) .. I don't think that he will stick to a car to do only some good on the track. But he will definitely spend five years of his life mastering his technique if he want to do a lap in two minutes!

the guy without a target is not an explorer .. he is a wanderer!

As far as education system is concerned .. a guy at ten looks up at his teacher .. as the most knowledgeable person .. he wants to learn .. he has his wildest imagination running through his head .. he walks upto the teacher with a technical drawing of a car that works on water .. its just a scribbled drawing on the torn paper sheet ... its techically incorrect .. the concept is not feasible .. but to whatever he has learned at the age ten .. he has applied all to the best of his knowledge .. while the rest of the class is chatting like a chatterbox .. this guy had a desire to not waste his time in stupid talks but do something worthwile .. but this teacher ..( Look at the teacher .. he has family .. he has kids .. he has to earn .. he has to do a second job after school .. ) so instead of telling this kid the mistakes in drawing .. or looking at the ability of the child .. or even saying a motivating word .. or even saying 'good' .. this guy says "That's crap. Better study for ur tests .. becoz u are 'weak'.". Now that's our excellent education system .. study study study .. score 100% marks .. be a machine and not a human .. this guy goes back to his seat .. and the top student of his class makes fun of him ..! Imagine what will this guy think .. ?? He can't tell his teachers "Hell .. no ..! Look what you are doing .. you are ignoring my talent .." Hell no .. becoz this will insult them .. they have to give the grades to this kid, and this kid knows that! So, he's already "weak" and can't take low grades anymore .. so he keeps shut .. he has to .. they are 'teachers' .. the one in power!
Later on in his high school .. this guy gets kicked off becoz he has just scored 70% or even a bit less .. he's kicked of a gud school .. so, to complete his education he goes to a school that can accept those less marks and meet those teachers again! He's human .. he thinks .. he can't shut off the voice in his head that asks "WHY?" and that doesn't let's him be a machine .. again in high school .. again .. he kept thinking and wondering about the mystifying principles of science .. trying to think .. but no enough time .. the other guy cramms up .. gets a top score .. and off to a top college .. and this poor lil guy still with 68% this time .. Gets kicked off at every college ..
At college .. this guy's excietd .. "Oh my Holy Lord .. Engineering .. the power to create .. something for the world .. Look at the amazing science .. a chance to study .. and ponder ... !" He keeps on pondering and doing his sort of research .. makes a few flying machines at the backyard .. without the help of his "teachers". During his engineering .. he had to choose .. either to cram up or really learn .. he takes the "human" choice .. to learn .. fails in certain exams .. and GPA dips .. but he's gud at doing stuff on his own .. at the backyard .. without any budget or support. This guy has to do a job after college to make his "projects at the backyard" happen .. Exams again .. he can't cram up .. but one thing is gud .. he had taken his mind to a stage that he can do gud on exams now .. he gets an A+ now .. without cramming ofcourse .. he has passed all the pending exams .. but still his GPA dips .. becoz of his history .. he's a human .. not a machine .. but wen he want to study further to quench his thirst for the science .. he will be kicked again .. deprived of his right to learn .. at some gud universtity .. becoz he has not 'scored' a 100% GPA .. the top scorer gets to MS .. crams up again .. and off to work .. while this guy sits by the window everynight cursing him .. why he didnt crammed up like others .. why did he tried to be "human" .. why did he tried to believe in "failures make a man" while all these university looks at "failures" ( low GPA or re-appears in exams ..!) as a "Failure" .. How could he trust it wen it was said .. "Failures are the stepping stones to success" .. but then he remembers .. his "teacher" said that! It was obviously his own fault .. he believed in his "teachers"! "failures are ofourse a stepping stone .. but they are taking him to Hell ... "
Ofcouse this top scorer deserves a gud university .. becoz he doesn't "thinks" .. he never "thought" .. and most probably he will never "think" ...

The Scores count everywhere and no one ever sees what a guy can do! Our teachers don't understand this! How often they neglect the talented students .. how often they don't act like "teachers" but "preachers" .. but our education system .. incapable to do anything about this .. looses several talented people every year .. but these people in authorities have no fault .. just look at them .. they have families .. they have kids .. they have other .. more serious jobs to do!
It may seem too offensive to some teachers or top students or authorities in our system .. but am not sorry .. becoz I am that guy!

 

[hamid]

what would i say about this?

 

[verty]

I don't think that he will stick to a car to do only some good on the track. But he will definitely spend five years of his life mastering his technique if he want to do a lap in two minutes!

But this is not a time-oriented goal. The goals that I think we are told to set are like milestones in time because we are asked things like "where do you want to be in 5 years?". This 'mastering technique' goal is not time-oriented because it is that I will "master my technique (until it is mastered)". This concerns method, not performance. It is that the driver will develop their method first before expecting to perform. This is in line with what I have said.

So let me rephrase it. Goals that are anchored in time seem to me to be more bad than good and should only be set once a consistent level of performance is reached. Otherwise, vague aims are okay but they should remain vague while one develops one's method.

 

[Rocket_guy]

But this is not a time-oriented goal. The goals that I think we are told to set are like milestones in time because we are asked things like "where do you want to be in 5 years?". This 'mastering technique' goal is not time-oriented because it is that I will "master my technique (until it is mastered)". This concerns method, not performance. It is that the driver will develop their method first before expecting to perform. This is in line with what I have said.

So let me rephrase it. Goals that are anchored in time seem to me to be more bad than good and should only be set once a consistent level of performance is reached. Otherwise, vague aims are okay but they should remain vague while one develops one's method.

Ofcourse .. even I will say "time oriented goals" don't do any good rather than making you feel bad .. they are helpful only if you set them within a very less period of time .. say a day or two ... with some realistic goals! Otherwise they turn out to be crap! How come anyone know where he will be after five years?? unless he doesn't works and bums around ... becoz then he will be at the same place after five years!