No. Not even close. I consider myself of average intelligence, I knew a lot of more intelligent people than me in my life. Some of them are even using meth now.

No. Not even close. I consider myself of average intelligence, I knew a lot of more intelligent people than me in my life. Some of them are even using meth now. I succeed because I stick to things, follow through, take pride in what I do and make sure I do as well as I can. I was not an exceptional student, would have been but I worked 35 hours a week while attending college 12-19 hours a week plus studying till the library closed Sunday through Thursday. I may not be a ninja developer or whatever but I'd honestly put money on myself over some genius-flake. And if someone has grit + genius... well, watch out because it would be amazing to see in action. Maybe that's Einstein in his later years. I'm sure everyone with a high IQ believes that description fits them, but in general geniuses don't have to try very hard so they never know what 'grit' is. Or what it takes for the rest of us. I do think grit is partially taught in ways that are completely non-related to mental exercise. I grew up in the midwest in a house with no air conditioning because my father thought it would make us soft to have it. Thankfully the old man did buy us a Commodore. Yes, it gets hot in the midwest- just as hot as anywhere else in the summer. I was even raised in cloth diapers and I'm under 35... to give an idea of how old school. They also made sure I always worked, been working without lapse since I was 12 years old. I've worked on a hog farm in the July heat from 4AM-noon. While I was born in 82, I don't feel like a 'Millennial' at all. I feel like a very gritty person mentally and physically that is rare anymore but has paid off in ways. But definitely feel more in common with my brother's generation (born in '78, GenX) or maybe even older, less pampered gen. From my perspective, American society is severely missing grit. People are going to have to toughen up because this softie society won't last forever. But I don't think people know the difference between false posturing tough guy aggression based on insecurity is and what real grit means. Too much tough guy gangster rap for the lower class and too many get-rich-quit-or-I-give-up flakes in the more fortunate classes. I've heard multiple people in my lifetime tell me they "won't go to work for less than $15 an hour" or won't get out of bed for less than that. I've suffered years through horrible jobs to build a resume. Just to appear reliable, which I am. Most people don't know what it takes to get ahead for those without lots of money and without a naturally high IQ. Sometimes it sucks but lays the groundwork for later on. It's about character.