Originally posted by catswithbigpaws
In comparison to most people I know, I'm inevitably superior when it comes to intelligence. I have the ability to learn a chapter of vocab in five
minutes, ace every math test, ace every test I study for, and so on. I don't know what it's like to study for three hours and get a C. If I do
that, I get an A. I don't understand how people can't question authority, think critically about a TV show, etc. It's like my mind segregrates me
from the majority of society. I'm proud of my wits, but it's sad how naive and stupid people are. I don't know if it's genetics or lack of
educational motivation. Maybe being smart is uncool. Hm. I still question what it's like to have an inferior mind, to have a poor memory, and to
have little ability to think for one's self. Also, I do recognize that school ability doesn't really matter, but smart people are probably more
likely to understand something than people who aren't smart.
Hopefully I didn't sound arrogant.
Give it about ten years, you'll find out. As you age, the memory begins to fail. As the years pass, you realize that being able to regurgitate
knowledge (photographic memory) doesn't amount to as much as you think right now. As you get older the knowledge is replaced with wisdom and you soon
realize you don't know as much as you think you do.
I'm not saying you are lying or that you aren't intelligent, there's a high likelyhood that you are. However, IQ doesn't always match up with
wisdom or with success.
I dedicated my life to education for various reasons ranging from how I was raised to various interests I have. I could have chosen whatever career
path I wanted and I chose this one. I don't regret it, I love what I do. However, at the same time, now that my years are increasing, I wonder what
may have been different if I went a different route. But I digress....
I imagine you to be young, maybe 20's, probably in college or a recent graduate with the world at your feet. As someone who was once in your shoes, I
tell you now, in all earnestness and honesty, follow your passion. Find something that you love and let it decide your path as opposed to following
what you think your IQ may merit.
By all means, join mensa, go to meetings, learn for yourself that it's very boring and drop out on your own when you get tired of it. Explore all the
possibilities, try out everything, see what you love and what you hate. Those of us who were "blessed" with intelligence tend to take a bit longer
for the emotional to reach the point it should. Develop your empathy, listen to your heart, watch how your actions affect those around you, become
well balanced. This part will take the effort and work that others have to apply to acquiring knowledge that comes easy to you and you'll better
understand their challenges as well as your own.
I was young and "cocky" once, the resident "genius", the big fish in the small pond. Yes, I enjoyed it, yes, it did affect me. Sometimes positive,
sometimes negative. My memory isn't what it used to be, I learned to turn my emotions on and off, block them out when needed. I drifted away from
family and friends in my 30's and thought I was on top of the world. Those things change. The emotional is an important part of our lives and we
can't ignore it. The intelligence isn't everything, it has to be balanced.
I'm sure you've heard the saying "There's a fine line between genius and insanity" and it's very, very true. Just ensure the insanity that you
delve into isn't the destructive kind, the greedy kind, the hurtful kind. Go with the lighthearted, the good willed, the positive kind. It will make
the transitions in your life much easier and prevent you from becoming the age old stereotype of the genius that went mad and ended up being
institutionalized or jailed for their actions.
Yes, there are others out there who went through what you are going through right now and it's a great ride, it can be very enjoyable. Just be
careful about how you look at it and the attitudes you develop, Regardless of your intelligence or lack thereof, your humanity should be the lead
factor. If your intelligence is great, your humanity should be greater.
Also, be nice to those you consider "stupid", they have feelings, usually higher emotions and you can be very hurtful without ever realizing it.
Don't see them as an annoyance, see them as a challenge, learn to understand them and help them rise above the level of intelligence you feel they
have. In the process, they'll be helping you rise above the emotional level you happen to have. Each and every person has something to offer, the
wise try to see those gifts as opposed to comparing their gifts to yours.