Narz
keeping it real
Of course. If your definition of intelligence is the same as the dictonary's.Perfection said:
If someone is intelligent but chronically unhappy are they still intelligent?
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Perfection
The Great Head.
Well, your very sentance says that it is intelligent, so no matter what the definition of "intelligent" you use, it's gotta be intelligentNarz said:
If blargh is bloopy but skoopy is blarg still bloopy?
The answer must be yes!
Bozo Erectus
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Three truer words have never been spoken. When you dont know much of anything, what is their to be sad about? After all, the sun'll come up, tommorow, bet your bottom dollar that tommorow, there'll be sun. Right?Narz said:
Narz
keeping it real
Ah, but intelligence is a vague term which is not easily quantifiable. I suppose I could have worded it differently : "If a person with a high IQ is upset all the time would you consider them intelligent" but that just doesn't sound good. Don't be such a literalist.Perfection said:
Actually when you're in pain and don't know why a little knowledge can take you a long way. For example, I was allergic to dairy and didn't know it. I thought, "milk does a body good" yet when I drink it I don't feel so hot, what's wrong with me? Once I found out, I still had the freedom to drink it or not (or drink goat's milk which I discovered I had less problems with). Either way I had alternatives to improve my quality of life in the future.Bozo Erectus said:
A more dire example would be a thirsty man who lives just over a large underground deposit of fresh water. If he knew about it it could certainly improve his life.
I doubt you truly believe in what you say. Otherwise you would never study anything, never pursue any interests and cover your ears whenever someone gave you advice or tried to impart their knowledge (or lack thereof which of course you could also learn from).
Might be cloudy.Bozo Erectus said:
Perfection
The Great Head.
I can't, that's how I show off my intelligence.Narz said:
Narz
keeping it real
Whatever makes you happy.Perfection said:I can't, that's how I show off my intelligence.
Bozo Erectus
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Dont doubt it Narz, I truly believe it. The happiest people I know are the ones who take life at face value, they never question anything or look beneath the surface. The world is much simpler for them. Theyre truly blessed people.
Narz
keeping it real
They sound like my cats.Bozo Erectus said:
I think intelligence and depth, if used probably, can lead to more happiness in the long run. A mentally ******** person may enjoy a video game but I think an intelligent person who can appreciate both the game itself, it's complexities and the programming behind it can savor it on a more profound level however.
I suppose I can agree with you that those who do not overcomplicate things are generally happier. However I would say also that those who oversimplify things may temporarily prosper (just as someone who refuses to pay their phone bill does) but in the end, by reveling in ignorance and not preparing for the future, they will suffer more in the long run (just as my cats would suffer in the long run if they didn't have a more intelligent being - me, to watch over them).
Perfection
The Great Head.
I've had different experiences. Some of the happiest people I know are also the most questioning. I myself am a very happy person and question many things.Bozo Erectus said:
Bozo Erectus
Master Baker
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Narz and Perf, of course Im kind of making a blanket statement, and there will always be exceptions. Generally speaking though, wisdom is a burden. Acquiring wisdom is like pulling a cart behind you. At first, when youre young, the carts empty and you barely even know its there, its so light. But as time goes by and you travel further down the road, it gets heavier, until finally at the end of your journey, youre straining and gasping to pull it.
Btw, wisdom and intelligence are two completely different things.
Btw, wisdom and intelligence are two completely different things.
Red Stranger
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That's like saying, if someone is dumb, but they're happy, are they still dumb? Of course.
Narz
keeping it real
If your wisdom is a burden it's probably not real wisdom.
Red Stranger
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Well, if ignorance is bliss, then it's not real ignorance.
Narz
keeping it real
I suppose ignorance of all the things one could get upset about could be a good thing (too many people get upset about things they can do nothing about). However, more ideal (IMO) would be if a person could understand fully the stuggles and the sorrows of the world and still keep a positive and happy outlook and get things done in the world.Red Stranger said:
Bozo Erectus
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Maybe its just coal, and Im on the road to Newcastle.Narz said:
Narz
keeping it real
Missed this one.
What do you think makes someone a genius?
punkbass2000 said:
What do you think makes someone a genius?
Narz
keeping it real
Could be just coal. Maybe if you built an engine in your cart you could run it on coal (until the coal ran out, then you could run it on solar power, unless it was a cloudy day, then you could just pull over and take a nap in your cart until the sun came again).Bozo Erectus said:
And what's the difference whether headed to Newcastle or anyplace else? Is it really uphill or something?
7ronin
海軍少佐
What is genius? It is being able to see things that other people can't or in seeing them in ways others can't imagine. It is having an apple falling on your head and from that experience defining gravity. It is looking at a block of marble and seeing a statue of David trapped inside.
Narz
keeping it real
So then, we are all geniuses. Some of us are just better at releasing our inner genius.7ronin said:
I had this experience a few years ago of watching a little boy playing with clay and some race-cars. He seemed so frustrated. I could tell he had a very clear vision in his mind but the results he was getting with the clay were not satisfactory. I felt very strongly for him, and I wished I could see what was in his head.
One can be intelligent and unhappy chronically, however probably this will slowly lead to a decrease in intelligence. There is a nice note by Kafka, in his final years:
"i always thought that i should not be happy so that this wouldnt obstruct me with my work. But being miserable was found to be at least as much of an obstacle"
And moreover being miserable can lead to several negative defenses against it & the world, that will in the long run most probably minimise intelligence.
Imo it is better to be at least able to feel happy some of the time. Afterall there is really no end in depression, and things can get out of hand.
"i always thought that i should not be happy so that this wouldnt obstruct me with my work. But being miserable was found to be at least as much of an obstacle"
And moreover being miserable can lead to several negative defenses against it & the world, that will in the long run most probably minimise intelligence.
Imo it is better to be at least able to feel happy some of the time. Afterall there is really no end in depression, and things can get out of hand.
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