Quote:
|
Originally Posted by MarineHawk
I have no data, but within reasonable limits, I observe little if any correlation between intellect and emotional maturity (I?m obviously at the low end of the latter myself). More often, I see an inverse correlation. Some of the most pleasant, self-confident (the opposite of arrogant IMO) people I know are not the ones with whom I would want to discuss deep, complex intellectual issues. Of course, when you get into really low IQ's, you likely start to see a disproportionate amount of psychological problems. But, if you look at the part of the IQ bell curve containing 90% of people, I don't see a correlation. Like I said, I?m merely basing this on my own anecdotal observations. I work with a lot of highly-intelligent people, making pretty high salaries. But even their productivity in the work place, which has some significant correlation to intelligence, is probably more dependant on the person?s character than his or her intelligence. For example, I?ve consistently noticed that attorneys who grew up on farms are some of the most productive and useful I know. It?s because they consistently work through problems until they get the best resolution they possibly can find -- no matter how difficult the process is. That?s just one example. Many people with a non-agrarian background also have great work ethics. But, so many others simply focus on how much credit they think they will get and how they can ?complete? a project the most quickly and painlessly. Invariably, it affects their lives negatively because they are constantly fighting the ill impressions and disorganization their laziness yields. Many of these corner-cutters are very, very intelligent, but also very unproductive and probably fairly unhappy.
|
I think over time, people have been groomed to view things with more and more color. Releasing them from the confines of black and white, right or wrong. Levels of justification for low productivity or attitude as a whole (my momma beat me, I was called names in high school, TV was bad for me) have continued to blossom to a colorful rainbow of reasons not to simply do the right thing.
Increasingly, it's hard to find integrity as a central and overwhelming attribute. On the contrary, it's portrayed in negative light by many whom find there's less resistance by forgiving their own integrity for the sake of least resistance. As long as they have that colorful excuse to provide them with the minute amount of justification they can float through as lemmings being infected by those selfish with no moral aptitude who corrupt their thoughts and help them remain without the need to work hard at their own integrity.
I think you'll find that those hard working (not just trying to make a buck) individuals are ones that have the highest integrity, are the ones you can count out when you need them and are less likely to be swayed into the lemmingesk attitude of many. The credit seekers, obviously have lowered integrity and are cutting corners seeking a flash and not the bang.