Defining 'intellect' meaningfully.

Defining ‘intellect’ meaningfully.

There’s a natural tendency to define intelligence by the traits we feel best reflect our mental abilities. Which is a nice way of saying, I’m at my best when communicating or in (a specific subset of) social situations, so I consider those skills a sign of intellect. Often to my detriment.

It’s at least partially a defence mechanism, but it’s also hard-wired. If I feel smart because of x, it makes sense that I would consider x a sign that someone is smart.

We spend absurd amounts of time treating people who are quite brilliant in different ways like children, because they don’t have the grasp of our specialty that we do.

Ignoring this behaviour in yourself and others is weakening you in every way.

Meet people, and spend your time trying to find out where their intellect lies, rather than how your specific brand on intelligence trumps theirs. We’ll all be better for it.