5 ms·

It is entirely possible to simply ignore that intelligence. And why wouldn't you, if you're safe and fed? Being stupid is easier - very much in line with evolut

by jotm 5y ago

It is entirely possible to simply ignore that intelligence. And why wouldn't you, if you're safe and fed? Being stupid is easier - very much in line with evolution, too. It's hard not to notice that many people are... dumb, but content or happy. They don't second guess, they don't fret, they don't think much. I really wish I could be like that.

Jach 5y ago
Why wouldn't you? Smarter people are generally happier than others too when the question is researched. I suppose it's possible to mistake low neuroticism for stupidity. And if you don't talk to dumb people (pick an IQ range below 100) very often you might not know their worries and concerns, especially if they're not overt about them as is fashionable for Lisa Simpson-esque individuals. Still bad news on adjusting your base intelligence (apart from drastically down through damage), I don't know about adjusting self-awareness though I suspect it's a bit more mutable in good and bad ways (if only because related traits better understood are more mutable), but at least your desire to feel happier or more content more often is a possible state for you to achieve if you work at it. Some people will recommend therapy (surprised nobody has internet-diagnosed you with depression already), or meditation, or philosophy, or drugs (prescription or party), or whatever (I like the idea and research of gratitude journals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude_journal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude_journal but don't keep one), I don't want to recommend anything, just point out that personality and outlook is more mutable than something like base intelligence, which is good news for your melancholy should you wish to attempt change.
- edgyquant 5y ago
  Are “smart” people happier? I see lots of people claiming the exact opposite (usually in reference to themselves ofc) but have never bothered to see if it’s a real study or something.
  - Jach 5y ago
    Here's a cite: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/relationship-between-happiness-and-intelligent-quotient-the-contribution-of-socioeconomic-and-clinical-factors/852640AC984DB7EC623D9D2C1A2D0A5A https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medici... Of course it's not the only thing, and can be greatly mediated by other factors. From the book Age of Em, citing that and other sources, "people today tend to be both happier and more productive when they have jobs, autonomy at work, health, beauty, money, marriage, religion, intelligence, extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and non-neuroticism." I brought up Lisa Simpson because there's this meme: https://flowingdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/lisa-simpson-graph1.jpg https://flowingdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/lisa-simp... It's a popular take, but it's wrong.
edgyquant 5y ago
Ignoring that intelligence when you don’t need it is actually a very intelligent decision imo. That makes these folks smarter than I am.

by jotm 5y ago

Jach 5y ago

Why wouldn't you? Smarter people are generally happier than others too when the question is researched. I suppose it's possible to mistake low neuroticism for stupidity. And if you don't talk to dumb people (pick an IQ range below 100) very often you might not know their worries and concerns, especially if they're not overt about them as is fashionable for Lisa Simpson-esque individuals. Still bad news on adjusting your base intelligence (apart from drastically down through damage), I don't know about adjusting self-awareness though I suspect it's a bit more mutable in good and bad ways (if only because related traits better understood are more mutable), but at least your desire to feel happier or more content more often is a possible state for you to achieve if you work at it. Some people will recommend therapy (surprised nobody has internet-diagnosed you with depression already), or meditation, or philosophy, or drugs (prescription or party), or whatever (I like the idea and research of gratitude journals https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude_journal https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gratitude_journal but don't keep one), I don't want to recommend anything, just point out that personality and outlook is more mutable than something like base intelligence, which is good news for your melancholy should you wish to attempt change.

edgyquant 5y ago
Are “smart” people happier? I see lots of people claiming the exact opposite (usually in reference to themselves ofc) but have never bothered to see if it’s a real study or something.
- Jach 5y ago
  Here's a cite: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medicine/article/abs/relationship-between-happiness-and-intelligent-quotient-the-contribution-of-socioeconomic-and-clinical-factors/852640AC984DB7EC623D9D2C1A2D0A5A https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/psychological-medici... Of course it's not the only thing, and can be greatly mediated by other factors. From the book Age of Em, citing that and other sources, "people today tend to be both happier and more productive when they have jobs, autonomy at work, health, beauty, money, marriage, religion, intelligence, extroversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, and non-neuroticism." I brought up Lisa Simpson because there's this meme: https://flowingdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/lisa-simpson-graph1.jpg https://flowingdata.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/lisa-simp... It's a popular take, but it's wrong.

edgyquant 5y ago

Ignoring that intelligence when you don’t need it is actually a very intelligent decision imo. That makes these folks smarter than I am.