I am beginning to like the
word "spectrum", mostly because of its linear appeal. And like paint,
it readily smears across an open landscape of abstract ideas, both blending and
demarcating with each stroke from the originator’s palate of words, this
assortment of emerging contrasts that stir and inspire new meanings until one
dynamic description is finally revealed. Take for instance the following
statement: The spectrum of intelligences among people is as various in hues as
the actual number of people living on earth. This certainly corresponds with
the old adage that no two people think alike.
And, it’s no secret that we all have to rightfully share our poor, unsuspecting planet with the feeble minded. And perhaps just as humbling is the other small but fortuitous lot known as the exceptionally bright (perhaps mother nature’s way of counteracting, balancing, or simply negating altogether these two opposing populations); whereby leaving the rest of us, the remaining majority--- or, should I say, the reigning average--- who each have prior to birth been selected to represent this fuzzy intermediate, a sort of transitional norming up, which has us lined up in degrees and in between the two, equally annoying extremes on this one enormous and wide swath, this colorless grey scale, or spectrum, of cranial comparisons among men.
Keep in mind, this notion is not rocket science, nor does it mandate scientific study. In fact, it’s so obvious that all we have to do is look around. We witness the struggles of competing intelligences every single day. Case in point, inside my own house (or battlefield?) where I am definitively, though without credit, smarter than my husband. Sure there are times when he is pretty darn quick on his feet, especially when he has to devise an excuse for why he can’t start or finish a particularly loathsome project that needs tending, but that’s only in a pinch! The rest of the time, I am the one left to do all the discovering, planning, creating, and producing of every other meaningful thing necessary in keeping my family somewhat regular and content. Sort of like a degree-less, not-for-profit Mastermind slash Engineeress who likes her coffee with cream.
So, why is this worthy of notice? Well, here’s my short answer…
Stupid people offer utility. Not just because they make us laugh or because they give us temporary comfort in thinking ourselves better. On the contrary. It is my stoic contention that stupid people have good ideas, too. Sure, these little nuggets of brilliance may not be as evident or as numerous (due to the prevailing prejudices that abound, surround, and even follow stupid people), but none the less, any new improvement to an old idea ought to be appreciated and it can and will and does occur from time to time, if only we were more understanding of these rather clever manifestations taking place right before our very own eyes.
More examples to come!
And, it’s no secret that we all have to rightfully share our poor, unsuspecting planet with the feeble minded. And perhaps just as humbling is the other small but fortuitous lot known as the exceptionally bright (perhaps mother nature’s way of counteracting, balancing, or simply negating altogether these two opposing populations); whereby leaving the rest of us, the remaining majority--- or, should I say, the reigning average--- who each have prior to birth been selected to represent this fuzzy intermediate, a sort of transitional norming up, which has us lined up in degrees and in between the two, equally annoying extremes on this one enormous and wide swath, this colorless grey scale, or spectrum, of cranial comparisons among men.
Keep in mind, this notion is not rocket science, nor does it mandate scientific study. In fact, it’s so obvious that all we have to do is look around. We witness the struggles of competing intelligences every single day. Case in point, inside my own house (or battlefield?) where I am definitively, though without credit, smarter than my husband. Sure there are times when he is pretty darn quick on his feet, especially when he has to devise an excuse for why he can’t start or finish a particularly loathsome project that needs tending, but that’s only in a pinch! The rest of the time, I am the one left to do all the discovering, planning, creating, and producing of every other meaningful thing necessary in keeping my family somewhat regular and content. Sort of like a degree-less, not-for-profit Mastermind slash Engineeress who likes her coffee with cream.
So, why is this worthy of notice? Well, here’s my short answer…
Stupid people offer utility. Not just because they make us laugh or because they give us temporary comfort in thinking ourselves better. On the contrary. It is my stoic contention that stupid people have good ideas, too. Sure, these little nuggets of brilliance may not be as evident or as numerous (due to the prevailing prejudices that abound, surround, and even follow stupid people), but none the less, any new improvement to an old idea ought to be appreciated and it can and will and does occur from time to time, if only we were more understanding of these rather clever manifestations taking place right before our very own eyes.
More examples to come!
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