Lyndseys last blog post..44th President to Be Sworn In on Tuesday January 20,2008

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@Luke – I kinda like your three descriptives, but (sorry; can’t help myself!) I would add one more: wisdom. Without that one, everything else won’t necessarily help make you a better person.

@Karen – Are you thinking this was written my me? Brad the one who went to Nawthwestern; I went to Texas A&M University (Gig’em, Aggies! Whatever THAT means.) But all my degrees are from a joint out west called California Coast University. (But I have to say, my heart has always been at TAMU.)

Your parents sound like really great folks. I’ve discovered over the years that some of the most brilliant people haven’t always had a strong “scholastic” pedigree, if you know what I mean. But it’s their wisdom that makes them shine like stars!

@Joanna – You’re absolutely right about what’s “under the hood” of most folks. Hey basically, we’re all just tryin’ to get along, y’know?

@Brian – You make a great point. I was just asked the other day if I could only keep one possession, what would it be? The only thing I could think of was my sense of humor. Without that, I’d be lost!

Many thanks to you Brad for providing a guest post just when I needed one! And great discussion, y’all!

Brad Shorrs last blog post..Waiting for Goodbye

Intelligent – Able to learn quickly.
Knowledgeable – Knowing a lot of information
Smart – Able to apply knowledge to problems

People at the name-brand universities are usually screened based on intelligence to make it easier for the teachers to pour in the information. Upon graduation most of these students are very knowledgeable, but not always smart.

This is where that famous dichotomy occurs. We see thousands of people who are able to apply their limited knowledge in creative or other wise just plain smart ways. They may even have trouble learning new facts but that make good use of the life experience they do have.

I think I am rather rare (or maybe its just that few are willing to admit), because I am neither smart or intelligent, but I am very knowledgeable. That knowledge has come at a very high price. I had to work at more than most other people, but I strongly believed that the knowledge would helpful to me. Also, I am unusually curious so I am almost driven to learn even though I am slow at doing it.

As for the relationship between knowledge and happiness, I think having a lot of knowledge is like having a lot of stuff. It does not do you any good unless you are doing something with it. The more you have, the less likely you are to be able to use it all, and until you use it you have to carry it around with you. A knowledgeable person has to carry the great weight of that knowledge around and it weighs down the soul making flights of fancy all but impossible.

It is impossible to be light-hearted when you are weighed down by the gravity of your massive knowledge.

Joanna & Wilson, Amen. It’s always better to search form what we have in common, not what separates us, don’t you think?

Brian & Robyn – Why is it, do you think, that “intelligent” people do tend to be unhappy so often? I’ve observed the same thing you did, Brian, and it really amazing how we sometimes complicate ourselves into misery. I recently read a book by a priest who worked with special needs adults and he had the same reaction you did. It was a wonderful book but darned if I can remember the title.

Thanks everybody for reading my post and making such thoughtful conversation. Sorry I wasn’t here yesterday to, as Robert might say, chew the fat.

Brad Shorrs last blog post..Waiting for Goodbye

Robyn McMasters last blog post..As a Writer – I Can

I loved your post here, mate

It’s easy to feel intimidated by other people – only when we get to know them that we realise they’re just the same as us in at least some way or another – if not IQ then maybe shyness, or concern about fitting in, or trying to look good to the opposite sex.

We’re all human under the facade however lofty the statues might be.

Joanna Youngs last blog post..Quotes on Experimenting, Writing, Art and Life

Just kidding!

I only have to look at my parents and I realize how little degrees can matter. My father finished school in sixth grade and then went to work digging graves. My mother finished eighth grade. They are two very smart people. My father taught me that you can learn anything, you just have to find someone who knows the stuff you want to learn or teach yourself.

Karen Putzs last blog post..A Neat Gift: GiiNii Digital Picture Frame