What Is the Key to Intelligence, Can One Really Get Smarter?

[amos carine]

Is intelligence the ability to imagine new prospects, and then follow them through? Is it raw computing skill, or the ability to focus various brain centers at once so a strong mind can juggle multiple problems at once (characteristic of Aspergers)? With goal directed activity, with a finish line in mind, it may be accessed as emotionally being able to navigate the harsh waters of life. In another context, it could be the ability to first volunteer the (correct) answer. Regardless, when I think of widening horizons, I think fabout time spent walking outside, playing music, thinking with focus and sleeping a lot. While certain activities like cardio exercise, nutrition, or learning a new language are sure to help, the central question remains. What is intelligence, and can one draw from a source, the type is immaterial, to increase this base trait.

 

[surprise]

You can be as intelligent as the average super genius, but still be a fumbling fool. Which is why I recommend wisdom above intelligence. Take Grigori Perelman, for example. He's considered one of, if not the greatest mathematician alive today. But he rejected both the Field's Medal and $1 million dollars, which makes him an idiot and ignorantly selfish. Fine, don't use the money on yourself, but what about others?

 

[FreeMitya]

I think it's beyond any of us to say precisely what it is. My best guess is that it has various incarnations, which is why one person can develop the Theory of Relativity, another can write Hamlet, and another can compose the Goldberg Variations. However, this also makes it particularly hard to define. Perhaps intelligence is simply excelling at something.

As for the question regarding "getting smarter," that's extremely difficult to answer. It's a part of the Nature vs Nurture debate, and I'm not going get into that right now.

 

[reenmachine]

You can be as intelligent as the average super genius, but still be a fumbling fool. Which is why I recommend wisdom above intelligence. Take Grigori Perelman, for example. He's considered one of, if not the greatest mathematician alive today. But he rejected both the Field's Medal and $1 million dollars, which makes him an idiot and ignorantly selfish. Fine, don't use the money on yourself, but what about others?

Why exactly did Grigori Perelman owe to "others"?

The man heavily contributed to mathematics and all reports suggest that he did it for free (without salary) at least for a couple of years before posting his three papers.

If accepting the money and the fields medal was a problem for him (for any subjective reasons) , it's really his business.

 

[surprise]

One day Grigori is going to look back and punch himself in the face for rejecting the money.

 

[reenmachine]

One day Grigori is going to look back and punch himself in the face for rejecting the money.

If he turns into a money-driven person , I'm sure somebody will be willing to hire him for a 6 figures salary.

 

[Astrum]

You can be as intelligent as the average super genius, but still be a fumbling fool. Which is why I recommend wisdom above intelligence. Take Grigori Perelman, for example. He's considered one of, if not the greatest mathematician alive today. But he rejected both the Field's Medal and $1 million dollars, which makes him an idiot and ignorantly selfish. Fine, don't use the money on yourself, but what about others?

Perhaps money is not a concern of his? Why does that make someone an "idiot"?

You can say the same about other things, too. You don't like a certain food, what?! what are you, an idiot? You don't like sex? Are you stupid? You don't want a new car, what's wrong with you?

See how dumb your paragraph was?

Grigori Perelman is a brilliant mathematician, who doesn't really care about money. So what?

 

[Julio R]

Pretty touchy question. Hmmm. I think, in my opinion that intelligence is ill defined. It's really a matter of opinion.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

General intelligence is a good example IMO of a reification. There's this odd idea in society that the more intelligent you are the better you will pick things up but in my experience it's incredibly topic limited. We've had many threads on this before, seems like they pop up every few weeks. I'd suggest doing a forum search.

 

[surprise]

Perhaps money is not a concern of his? Why does that make someone an "idiot"?

You can say the same about other things, too. You don't like a certain food, what?! what are you, an idiot? You don't like sex? Are you stupid? You don't want a new car, what's wrong with you?

See how dumb your paragraph was?

Grigori Perelman is a brilliant mathematician, who doesn't really care about money. So what?

When something is both practical AND logical, like receiving $1 million dollars (especially when Perelman is living in the basement of his mother's house), declining such an offer suggests a mental disconnect. Perelman was trying to make a statement, but it comes off as "I'm above these formalities."

The man is a genius, no doubt, but a 40+ year old living with his mother? get a life (get wise). Hence, wisdom > intelligence. @ OP, don't confuse the two.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

When something is both practical AND logical, like receiving $1 million dollars (especially when Perelman is living in the basement of his mother's house), declining such an offer suggests a mental disconnect. Perelman was trying to make a statement, but it comes off as "I'm above these formalities."

The man is a genius, no doubt, but a 40+ year old living with his mother? get a life (get wise). Hence, wisdom > intelligence. @ OP, don't confuse the two.

Who are you to judge someone for living with their parents? How exactly is it indicative of "mental disconnect" that someone doesn't follow the same path as everyone else?

 

[surprise]

To "judge" him, I'd have to condemn him to some form of punishment. What I did was state actual facts, and emphasize the absurdity of his actions. Denial, a problem dressed as an opinion. It's not about following the "same path as everyone else", it's about identifying and diagnosing the ethical issues of a nearly 50 year old man living with his mother.

Reminds me of a quote from the film Good Will Hunting; " I mean, you're sittin' on a winning lottery ticket and you're too much of a kitty to cash it in."

Perelman needs to wake up.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOfFkVCdLQo

 

[Ryan_m_b]

It isn't a fact that living with your parents as an adults a sign of a mental disconnect, nor is not accepting $1 million. If you have evidence to the contrary from an acceptable source then please post it. Otherwise it is just an unsupported opinion. And what exactly are the ethical implications that you are "diagnosing" of a man living with his mother?

 

[surprise]

You might as well say it isn't a fact that piggy-back riding an intoxicated rhinoceros whilst flexing a wheelie on a 10 year old girl's tricycle is a mental disconnect (using your logic). How do we assert if such a situation is true without the proper evidence? do you want to try and ride the back of an African wild animal on your sister's bike to find out?

No one is denying Perelman's genius and colossal contribution to the mathematics community. But if I said, "Hey Ryan, I see you're living at home at 40 and pretty much broke. Here's 500 Grand. And you said "No thanks, I'm fine." - Give me a valid reason why everyone on the face of the planet shouldn't call you an idiot.

 

[Lavabug]

You might as well say it isn't a fact that piggy-back riding an intoxicated rhinoceros whilst flexing a wheelie on a 10 year old girl's tricycle is a mental disconnect (using your logic). How do we assert if such a situation is true without the proper evidence? do you want to try and ride the back of an African wild animal on your sister's bike to find out?

No one is denying Perelman's genius and colossal contribution to the mathematics community. But if I said, "Hey Ryan, I see you're living at home at 40 and pretty much broke. Here's 500 Grand. And you said "No thanks, I'm fine." - Give me a valid reason why everyone on the face of the planet shouldn't call you an idiot.

From what I've read of him, Perelman is just a guy with really strong principles and has strong (personal) ethical convictions behind rejecting prizes from mathematical organizations. It is his decision. Not one that most money-centered people such as you and I would make irrespective of our principles, but it doesn't make him stupid or an idiot. At most, he is reckless and irresponsible as far as the rest of his family is concerned, but I'm guessing his mother wouldn't have him around if she didn't agree to some extent with his decision.

Though this guy takes it to the extreme, there are places in society for people with a personality like his: politics and law enforcement.

 

[surprise]

"Reckless and irresponsible" - you're being generous. I don't think you understand the gravity of his situation. That's 1 million dollars, that's twice the 500 grand or four times a quarter of a million. I'd like to see you turn down those figures in front of your friends and family and NOT hear them call you an idiot accompanied by a beat down.

Debating the decisions of a mathematician I don't know personally is pointless though. In my opinion, he's brilliant but foolish.

 

[reenmachine]

"Reckless and irresponsible" - you're being generous. I don't think you understand the gravity of his situation. That's 1 million dollars, that's twice the 500 grand or four times a quarter of a million. I'd like to see you turn down those figures in front of your friends and family and NOT hear them call you an idiot accompanied by a beat down.

Debating the decisions of a mathematician I don't know personally is pointless though. In my opinion, he's brilliant but foolish.

You seem incapable of understanding or accepting that some people don't value the same things as you.You also have no idea whether or not Perelman is truly in need of money.What do you understand about the "gravity" of his situation that we don't? I know nothing of Perelman's situation because I do not know him.

 

[WannabeNewton]

Wait, so he's being criticized for not being greedy? Wow, that's a first. Just because you are obsessed with money doesn't mean he has to be as well. You know what's stupid? This argument.

 

[reenmachine]

Wait, so he's being criticized for not being greedy? Wow, that's a first. Just because you are obsessed with money doesn't mean he has to be as well. You know what's stupid? This argument.

In this day and age , is this really a first? I'm pretty sure I've heard many people being criticized for preferring a modest lifestyle and valuing other things over money.I don't care if people spend their energy trying to accumulate money , but when they start being condescending it gets on my nerves.The same is truth with people "sacrificing" their lives to raise children that tries to make you feel cheap because you didn't make the same sacrifices.

 

[Lavabug]

"Reckless and irresponsible" - you're being generous. I don't think you understand the gravity of his situation. That's 1 million dollars, that's twice the 500 grand or four times a quarter of a million. I'd like to see you turn down those figures in front of your friends and family and NOT hear them call you an idiot accompanied by a beat down.

Debating the decisions of a mathematician I don't know personally is pointless though. In my opinion, he's brilliant but foolish.

You didn't seem to read the full length of my post, I said maybe you or I wouldn't make such a decision. And you could do without the intelligence-insulting remarks.

Believe it or not, there are people out there who have principles that are stronger than their materialistic desires. Not everybody has a price. And that's a good thing. I want people like this to work in law enforcement, politics, and similar. Society would be a better if we selected the most self-less, incorruptable people into positions of power that can potentially be abused, instead of out-casting, insulting and berating them for not being like most of us, as you are encouraging.

 

[surprise]

You seem incapable of understanding or accepting that some people don't value the same things as you.You also have no idea whether or not Perelman is truly in need of money.What do you understand about the "gravity" of his situation that we don't? I know nothing of Perelman's situation because I do not know him.

That is my OPINION. Stop refuting it with the same rebuttal put forth by everyone else (i.e money isn't important). In today's society, whether you want to accept the fact or not, money means everything. Anyone who disputes this is ignorant and most likely living in a state of denial, unaware of it's importance and beneficial usage (charity, health costs, research, etc).

Wait, so he's being criticized for not being greedy? Wow, that's a first. Just because you are obsessed with money doesn't mean he has to be as well. You know what's stupid? This argument.

A charity in his own hometown urged him to accept the $1 million to help THEM. This isn't about greed, it's about being logical and using your common sense. He's trying to enforce a statement about his humble character and ideas of monetary irrelevance, but it makes him look even more selfish and egoistic.

You're right, however, he doesn't have the slightest obligation to do squat. He could have received the money and burnt it all up to a crisp to prove his point. But that is non-sense. Think of all the people who would die to be in that position, but don't have such amazing talent; he's indirectly spitting in their faces by refusing the blessings that come with it.

 

[surprise]

You didn't seem to read the full length of my post, I said maybe you or I wouldn't make such a decision. And you could do without the intelligence-insulting remarks.

Believe it or not, there are people out there who have principles that are stronger than their materialistic desires. Not everybody has a price. And that's a good thing. I want people like this to work in law enforcement, politics, and similar. Society would be a better if we selected the most self-less, incorruptable people into positions of power that can potentially be abused, instead of out-casting, insulting and berating them for not being like most of us, as you are be encouraging.

I understand your point. Buddhist monks, for example, live a life of self-content, relative isolation and minimalism. I think you would subscribe to a society akin to the Venus Project (where all credit systems cease and everyone becomes equal focusing on creativity).

My point, yet again, is that he give the money, at the very least, to those who actually need it. But not receiving the Field's Medal, that was foolish.

 

[Lavabug]

I understand your point. Buddhist monks, for example, live a life of self-content, relative isolation and minimalism. I think you would subscribe to a society akin to the Venus Project (where all credit systems cease and everyone becomes equal focusing on creativity).

My point, yet again, is that he give the money, at the very least, to those who actually need it. But not receiving the Field's Medal, that was foolish.

But this doesn't address the problem at its root: he doesn't have any responsibility to accept the prize. Why is there a 1M$ prize for academic achievements that won't positively impact the lives of people in need? Why do we live in a world where there is a need for charity organizations and why are they underfunded? How can we live so comfortably in the West consuming 60% of the world's natural resources while 90% of the world population gets to live in abject poverty? These are the real problems worth getting angry about, not whether some bearded middle aged man refusing a prize.

The Fields association could very well donate that money to charity if they so pleased. Instead most organizations allocate their resources for a variety of purposes, none of which directly improve the lives of others. I don't see how Perleman deserves greater berating than anybody else. I don't think his decision makes him stupid. If refusing to act as an intermediary to get money for a charity makes him stupid, then by extension, every single for-profit organization on the face of the Earth (and most of us with some amount of disposable income) is also stupid because they refuse to do good for others when they're sitting on a winning lottery ticket.

The attitude you espouse is not your fault, and it's the one most people have. It would be nice to see what the world would be like if more and more people started challenging the notion that everybody has a price and being self-less is some form of mental disease.

 

[surprise]

But this doesn't address the problem at its root: he doesn't have any responsibility to accept the prize. Why is there a 1M$ prize for academic achievements that won't positively impact the lives of people in need? Why do we live in a world where there is a need for charity organizations and why are they underfunded? How can we live so comfortably in the West consuming 60% of the world's natural resources while 90% of the world population gets to live in abject poverty? These are the real problems worth getting angry about, not whether some bearded middle aged man refusing a prize.

The Fields association could very well donate that money to charity if they so pleased. Instead most organizations allocate their resources for a variety of purposes, none of which directly improve the lives of others. I don't see how Perleman deserves greater berating than anybody else. I don't think his decision makes him stupid. If refusing to act as an intermediary to get money for a charity makes him stupid, then by extension, every single for-profit organization on the face of the Earth (and most of us with some amount of disposable income) is also stupid because they refuse to do good for others when they're sitting on a winning lottery ticket.

The attitude you espouse is not your fault, and it's the one most people have. It would be nice to see what the world would be like if more and more people started challenging the notion that everybody has a price and being self-less is some form of mental disease.

You're right. For your information, I live and come from a 3rd world country. Poverty surrounds me. So when I hear of someone who had the OPPORTUNITY to receive a large sum of money, and then REFUSE IT, you cannot blame me, as poor and broke as I am, not to complain. (It's a data plan, $5 for 500mb).

Look, no one is beating up on the guy, excluding the rest. He just came to light as an example of people with extraordinary gifts (intelligence) who have access to "means" that can help others. I could have used someone else, but I just thought of Perelman off the bat. Maybe calling him an idiot was harsh, I apologize. I just think what he did was nonsense.

 

[Ryan_m_b]

You might as well say it isn't a fact that piggy-back riding an intoxicated rhinoceros whilst flexing a wheelie on a 10 year old girl's tricycle is a mental disconnect (using your logic). How do we assert if such a situation is true without the proper evidence? do you want to try and ride the back of an African wild animal on your sister's bike to find out?

Firstly that is utterly unrelated and secondly aside from the animal cruelty people do dangerous stunts all the time. That's not a "mental disconnect".

There are medically recognised characteristics of mental illness and this case does not present with them, despite your assertions.

No one is denying Perelman's genius and colossal contribution to the mathematics community. But if I said, "Hey Ryan, I see you're living at home at 40 and pretty much broke. Here's 500 Grand. And you said "No thanks, I'm fine." - Give me a valid reason why everyone on the face of the planet shouldn't call you an idiot.

If I was broke, properly broke and about to be made homeless, then it would be foolish to turn the money down. But that isn't the case here, where is the evidence that he needs this money? A good reason is that if you've got enough money for what you want in life and your choices aren't affecting others (I.e. his mum likes him living at home) and you don't like money for money sake.

You're being very normative here. You imply that because the majority would do something that when someone doesn't it must be a sign of stupidity or illness. Why can't you accept that there are people without your values who's choices are not the result of illness allowing them to make decisions that you would not?

 

[surprise]

Firstly that is utterly unrelated and secondly aside from the animal cruelty people do dangerous stunts all the time. That's not a "mental disconnect".

There are medically recognised characteristics of mental illness and this case does not present with them, despite your assertions.

If I was broke, properly broke and about to be made homeless, then it would be foolish to turn the money down. But that isn't the case here, where is the evidence that he needs this money? A good reason is that if you've got enough money for what you want in life and your choices aren't affecting others (I.e. his mum likes him living at home) and you don't like money for money sake.

You're being very normative here. You imply that because the majority would do something that when someone doesn't it must be a sign of stupidity or illness. Why can't you accept that there are people without your values who's choices are not the result of illness allowing them to make decisions that you would not?

If I asserted that he was mentally ill, I apologize. I was simply being sarcastic to place emphasis on my side of the argument. Look, yes, I'm being normative, I live and hang around with people who aren't Perelmans or Newtons, but who enjoy themselves. Something Perelman needs to do. I doubt his girlfriend would appreciate his actions. Or wife. Does he have one?

 

[reenmachine]

That is my OPINION. Stop refuting it with the same rebuttal put forth by everyone else (i.e money isn't important). In today's society, whether you want to accept the fact or not, money means everything. .

So is this your opinion or is it a fact again? I'm not saying you can't have an opinion , but your posts since the beginning have an undertone of what we would called in french "dirigisme intellectuel".Basically it means that either we think like you or we're idiots.

I also never said money wasn't important.But money isn't everything.From what I know Grigori Perelman's family is his sister and his mother , both had/have careers in mathematics.I think his sister has a ph.d in math (not sure IIRC , but I'm pretty sure she has a phd in something at least).Maybe they do have enough money to live the life they want to live.Money is important when you're homeless and can't eat , but after that it's a matter of how much additionnal luxury you wish to live your life with.

 

[AlfieD]

For future reference to anyone reading this message. Intelligence is now measured by the amount of myelinated (yes, it's a word) neurons within the brain. To elaborate, when you hit a ball with a tennis racket, you fire specific signals through neurons in the brain. The more a signal is fired, the more it becomes myelinated. And if you're unsure, myelinated refers to a substance called myelin wrapping around neurons (typically around the axon). Myelin is solely responsible for talent and the gaining of said talent. Recent studies suggest that you can get to the top of any profession with 10,000 hours of practice. However, it has to be a specific type of practice; deep practice. Deep practice is when you practices but are always looking for the smallest of mistakes and rectifying them immediately.

If you're interested in reading up on myelin and talent, I recommend The Talent Code by Daniel Coyle which explains and explores how 'greatness isn't born, it's grown' (as stated on the front cover).

Kind Regards,
Alfie D

 

[Evo]

Surprise is a banned sockpuppet. No surprise.

 

[berkeman]

Surprise is a banned sockpuppet. No surprise.

 

[Julio R]

Surprise is a banned sockpuppet. No surprise.

Interesting. How did you find out? :what:

 

[Evo]

Interesting. How did you find out? :what:

We have our ways.

 

[coalago]

Could smarter guys be happier? Maybe one's intelligent is hidden...

 

[berkeman]

Interesting. How did you find out? :what:

We have our ways.

There are the standard Mentor ways, and then there is Evo. Nuff said.

 

[AnTiFreeze3]

We have our ways.

Dark magic? I keep messing up the ritual that let's me read a post in the mentor forum each day.

 

[billyn00b_2001]

study hard and practice
take.notes
focus
eat breakfast

 

[billyn00b_2001]

lolololol

i forgot to say tackle hsrd questions easy questions aren 4 intelligint peeps