Posted by Dinah on March 22, 2006, at 23:03:21
In reply to Re: Subject close to my heart, posted by special_k on March 22, 2006, at 22:00:42
I think I have to disagree here.
Somewhere along the line it became bad form to value high IQ, and I don't think that's fair. People have different abilities, and that's fine. Why should intelligence be downplayed?
Yeah, there are different types of intelligence. And they're all measured differently. And they're all valued by people.
There are people who are born with qualities that make them good at one sport or another, fast reflexes or an ability to judge depth, etc. There are people born with an outgoing nature and an ability to judge social situations. There are people who are born intelligent in different ways.
And yes, there are different ways to be intelligent. My spatial abilities are laughably low, and my hard drive access speed is slow. So I was a lousy candidate for Prep Quiz Bowl, and I can't do great on IQ tests. My husband could do both of those things with ease and facility. My father had an uncanny ability to remember vast amounts of information. He had at his fingertips what would take most people a lot of notes and a Daytimer. I had to look things up, but not my father. Those things weren't learned. They were born with certain gifts. It didn't make them better than other people, just lucky in that particular area.
And so what? I admire them for it. Just as I admire people with artistic ability or creativity or a really great sense of humor, or who have fabulous bone structure, or a gorgeous body. God given gifts should be admired. As gifts, perhaps, and not accomplishments.
I *like* that my son has a high IQ. It means that he won't be hampered in any intellectual pursuit he might desire. Or he can squander it, if he wishes. But I've got to admit that if he wishes to pursue an athletic career, he's probably got his work cut out for him. I like that he had the opportunity to take the IQ test, because it helps his teachers and his parents realize his potential and present him with the proper amount of stimulation. How many kids act out in school because no one knows they have special needs?
It's more important to me that he be kind, of course, and honorable. And he knows that.
Why is it ok to admit that people have natural abilities in one area, but not another? Just because it's been misused doesn't make it a bad thing. It's one quality out of many in a person, and it can be admired just as any other quality can be admired.
poster:Dinah
thread:622738
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/poli/20060322/msgs/623537.html