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All is Vanity
See other All is Vanity Articles

Title: Society Hates Smart People
Source: Scribd
URL Source: http://www.scribd.com/doc/8778/Why- ... gent-People-Tend-To-Be-Unhappy
Published: Nov 30, 2007
Author: Unknown
Post Date: 2007-11-30 07:36:09 by YertleTurtle
Keywords: None
Views: 5764
Comments: 111

Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know.

- Ernest Hemingway, author and journalist, Nobel laureate (1899-1961)

Hemingway, who took his own life in 1961, knew his share of both intelligent people and of unhappiness. He lived through two world wars, the Great Depression, four wives and an unknown number of failed romantic relationships, none of which would help him to develop happiness if he knew how.

As Hemingway's quote was based on his life experience, I will base the following speculation on both my personal and my professional experience as a sociologist. Not enough study exists to quote on this subject.

Western society is not set up to nurture intelligent children and adults, the way it dotes over athletes and sports figures, especially the outstanding ones. While we have the odd notable personality such as Albert Einstein, we also have many extremely intelligent people working in occupations that are considered among the lowliest, as may be attested by a review of the membership lists of Mensa (the club for the top two percent on intelligence scales).

Education systems in countries whose primary interest is in wealth accumulation encourage heroes in movies, war and sports, but not in intellectual development. Super intelligent people manage, but few reach the top of the business or social ladder.

Children develop along four streams: intellectual, physical, emotional (psychological) and social. In classrooms, the smartest kids tend to be left out of more activities by other children than they are included in. They are "odd," they are the geeks, they are social outsiders. In other words, they do not develop socially as well as they may develop intellectually or even physically where opportunities may exist for more progress.

Their emotional development, characterized by their ability to cope with risky or stressful situations, especially over long periods of time, also lags behind that of the average person.

Adults tend to believe that intelligent kids can deal with anything because they are intellectually superior. This inevitably includes situations where the intelligent kids have neither knowledge nor skills to support their experience. They go through the tough times alone. Adults don't understand that they need help and other kids don't want to associate with kids the social leaders say are outsiders.

As a result we have many highly intelligent people whose social development progresses much slower than that of most people and they have trouble coping with the stressors of life that present themselves to everyone. It should come as no surprise that the vast majority of prison inmates are socially and emotionally underdeveloped or maldeveloped and a larger than average percentage of them are more intelligent than the norm.

Western society provides the ideal incubator for social misfits and those with emotional coping problems. When it comes to happiness, people who are socially inept and who have trouble coping emotionally with the exigencies of life would not be among those you should expect to be happy.

This may be changing in the 21st century as the geeks gain recognition as people with great potential, especially as people who might make their fortune in the world of high technology. Geeks may be more socially accepted than in the past, but unless they receive more assistance with their social and emotional development, most are destined to be unhappy as they mature in the world of adults.

People with high intelligence, be they children or adults, still rank as social outsiders in most situations, including their skills to be good mates and parents.

Moreover, they tend to see more of the tragedy in the communites and countries they live in, and in the world, than the average person whose primary source of news and information is comedy shows on television. Tragedy is easier to find than compassion, even though compassion likely exists in greater proportion in most communities.


Poster Comment:

I can remember back when I was in middle school (jr. high in those days) and high school, where I noticed the schools were very good at identifying and developing athletes. The ambitious grinds did well making good grades.

But, oddly, the most intelligent, sensitive and imaginative...for them there was no place.

I remember sneaking into my school file when I was 12 and finding my IQ was listed as 126. Even so, I was required to take shop, where I rolled metal and made a wooden candleholder that caught on fire the first time I lit a candle.

All the girls were required to take Home Economics. After they graduated high school, all the boys were supposed to go work at the local steel mill, and the girls stay home and cook and clean. Only now there aren't many jobs at the steel mill, and haven't been for a long time.

Thank God for computers. Geeks and nerds have become rich, and I hope they take over the world.

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#23. To: Original_Intent (#19)

You are a bright and witty woman and I would include you in the category as well.

Now, please don't hate me forever.

Not a chance of even hating you for a little while. Just had to give you a hard time.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   14:57:44 ET  (2 images) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#24. To: duckhunter (#21)

how did you profile us so accurately? ;-/

"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I truly am not that concerned about him"
George W, Bush, 3/13/02 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html

Artisan  posted on  2007-11-30   14:58:23 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#25. To: Artisan (#22)

Being a Catholic school, It baffled me as to why 'men of God' seemed to be so enraptured and impressed with such trivial nonsense

Ever been to South Bend IN?

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   14:59:45 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#26. To: duckhunter, Original_Intent, YertleTurtle, ratcat (#21)

I didn't realize those you pinged, other than christine, were female.

I thought Yertle Turtle and ratcat were male. I'm taken as male because of my farmfriend handle. My positions on men's rights just makes it worse but then I take it as a compliment to be thought one of the boys.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:00:39 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#27. To: duckhunter (#21)

FYI: Yertle Turtle is a conspiratorial male, who takes to long, sun filled shirtless walks in pug-filled Bermuda shorts.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2007-11-30   15:00:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#28. To: Artisan (#24)

how did you profile us so accurately?

Accidentally.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:00:51 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#29. To: farmfriend (#26)

I take it as a compliment to be thought one of the boys.

It's the highest honor a man can bestow upon a woman.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:02:10 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#30. To: farmfriend (#26)

I'm taken as male because of my farmfriend handle.

Guilty as charged, at least in the beginning. I figured it out after a while over at LP though.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:03:55 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#31. To: Alan Chapman (#5)

The type of woman I'm interested in would rather watch something on the Science or Discovery Channels than Desperate Housewives.

Sadly I'm married and live in norther CA. I've never watched Dancing with the Stars, American Idol or Sex in the City.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:04:28 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#32. To: Jethro Tull (#27)

pug-filled Bermuda shorts.

Does that mean he keeps small dogs in his pockets?

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:04:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#33. To: farmfriend (#31)

Sadly I'm married and live in norther CA

I can understand sadness at living on the left coast.............

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:05:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#34. To: duckhunter (#29)

It's the highest honor a man can bestow upon a woman.

I agree.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:06:04 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#35. To: farmfriend (#31)

I've never watched Dancing with the Stars, American Idol or Sex in the City.

With two minor exceptions, I can proudly say I have never wasted any of my life watching reality TV.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:06:33 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#36. To: duckhunter (#33)

I can understand sadness at living on the left coast.............

LOL! smart ass. I was born and raised here. I would have a hard time leaving this state. It's home.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:07:07 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#37. To: farmfriend, duckhunter, Original_Intent, YertleTurtle, ratcat (#26)

I didn't realize those you pinged, other than christine, were female.

I thought Yertle Turtle and ratcat were male. I'm taken as male because of my farmfriend handle. My positions on men's rights just makes it worse but then I take it as a compliment to be thought one of the boys.

I picked it up from a comment from Yertle the other day that she was a she. Ratcat I have known for at least 5 years from Liberty Forum and we are long time online correspondents. She's a fellow Kitchen Gardener.

P.S. Thanks for not hating me forever.

"How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to hold the giraffe and one to fill the bathtub with brightly colored power tools." - Unk.

Original_Intent  posted on  2007-11-30   15:09:54 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#38. To: duckhunter (#32)

No, not in his pockets. You're warm tho.

Jethro Tull  posted on  2007-11-30   15:11:22 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#39. To: duckhunter (#35)

With two minor exceptions, I can proudly say I have never wasted any of my life watching reality TV.

Give me a good show on M-Theory any day. I like the ones on super volcanoes, mega tsunamis and why Pluto isn't a planet. Closest thing to reality TV I have watched is Meerkat Manor. I know, they anthropomorphize the meerkats but I still like the show.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:11:36 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#40. To: duckhunter (#25)

Drove thru Indiana once going from Cincy to Illinois. Not sure where south bend is. although i read that the headquarters of liberty dollar is in indiana and the guy who runs that company and is supposedly wanted by the feds, announced that he would be at a pot-luck meeting there yesterday, thursday at 6-9PM. . I wanted to go but it was a little too far now.

"I don't know where Bin Laden is. I truly am not that concerned about him"
George W, Bush, 3/13/02 http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html

Artisan  posted on  2007-11-30   15:13:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#41. To: farmfriend (#31)

I've never watched ... Sex in the City.

I find that difficult to believe.

"How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to hold the giraffe and one to fill the bathtub with brightly colored power tools." - Unk.

Original_Intent  posted on  2007-11-30   15:13:10 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#42. To: farmfriend (#36)

I was born and raised here. I would have a hard time leaving this state. It's hom

Completely understandable. I feel the same way about Alabama.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:14:48 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#43. To: Original_Intent (#37)

I picked it up from a comment from Yertle the other day that she was a she. Ratcat I have known for at least 5 years from Liberty Forum and we are long time online correspondents. She's a fellow Kitchen Gardener.

Hmmm, I still think Yertle is male but I could be wrong. Ratcat and I have pinged back and forth at LF since I joined in March of 02. One of my favorites but I guess gender never came up or she could have said and I'm spacing it. Happens more and more lately.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:17:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#44. To: Original_Intent (#41)

I find that difficult to believe.

OOoooo, I'm going to get you for that.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:18:48 ET  (1 image) Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#45. To: Original_Intent (#37)

She's a fellow Kitchen Gardener.

I had forgotten about our conversations last spring concerning farming. I tried the Rutgers strain you suggested. It was quite impressive for an heirloom. Had a bit more trouble with blight than the hybrids, but,due to superior taste, I was able to charge nearly 50% more for them at market.

We are in the middle of the worse drought ever recorded around here. I'm fortunate because I have a well that has never gone dry in living memory and shows no signs of doing so.The drought is causing prices to shoot up, benefiting those of us with access to water.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:19:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#46. To: farmfriend (#39)

Give me a good show on M-Theory any day. I like the ones on super volcanoes, mega tsunamis and why Pluto isn't a planet. Closest thing to reality TV I have watched is Meerkat Manor. I know, they anthropomorphize the meerkats but I still like the show.

I really enjoy Top Chef. Don't know why, I'm not a cook. It just appeals to me. I also enjoy American Hot Rod. I am a bit of a hobby mechanic.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:21:16 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#47. To: Artisan (#40)

Not sure where south bend is.

It's the home of "Touchdown Jesus" on the campus at Notre Dame.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:22:17 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#48. To: Artisan (#22)

I'm not claiming to be a genius or anything, but I got straight A's all through parochial school,. My grades dropped significantly in high school; I didn't like it too much at first, but adjusted. ...

I have noticed that academic achievement in school is not necessarily a reliable indicator of intelligence. I have run into a fair number of individuals who were very bright but were not good in a formal school setting. For myself I was classified through High School as a "chronic underachiever". It wasn't that I was not interested in learning - I read voraciously - but I just was not interested in a lot of what was being required.

One thing i never understand about today's society, no matter which country you go to, the families most often sit in front of the tube after dinner; literally shoveling FECES into their mind, for hours at a time . Ugh.. sad..

Agreed. Personally I have not turned my TV on since the second half of this years Super Bowl. However, Television is best viewed as an addictive drug - and research has shown that the flicker rate of a Television does put you into a mild trance state. Who knows what other manipulations are going on subliminally?

"How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to hold the giraffe and one to fill the bathtub with brightly colored power tools." - Unk.

Original_Intent  posted on  2007-11-30   15:25:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#49. To: duckhunter (#45)

I had forgotten about our conversations last spring concerning farming. I tried the Rutgers strain you suggested. It was quite impressive for an heirloom. Had a bit more trouble with blight than the hybrids, but,due to superior taste, I was able to charge nearly 50% more for them at market.

We are in the middle of the worse drought ever recorded around here. I'm fortunate because I have a well that has never gone dry in living memory and shows no signs of doing so.The drought is causing prices to shoot up, benefiting those of us with access to water.

Glad to hear.

Another couple worthy of consideration:

Pruden's Purple: Actually more of a Pink than a purple, but flavor is comparable to Brandywine, is better looking, resists cracking, and is several weeks earlier. They are considered a Beefsteak Variety and can reach a pound or so.

One I grew for the first time this year was St. Pierre, a French Heirloom, which is a medium sized slicer with excellent flavor and good yields for an heirloom.

A Hybrid with excellent flavor and yields - medium sized and red - is Carmello. One of the few Hybrids I grow because of their marvelous flavor.

Have you looked into the Czech's Excellent Yellow? It is still the best small to medium yellow I have grown. The flavor is superb.

Another smallish heirloom with very good yields is Jaune Flamme - which despite the French "Yellow" - Jaune - is orange. Flavor is very good and the orange color makes them very attractive to the eye.

"How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to hold the giraffe and one to fill the bathtub with brightly colored power tools." - Unk.

Original_Intent  posted on  2007-11-30   15:34:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#50. To: duckhunter (#46)

I also enjoy American Hot Rod. I am a bit of a hobby mechanic.

I think I've watched that one a couple of times. What can I say, I'm the only woman in a house of men. There are two others I've watched a few times. Can't remember the names of the shows though. Mostly I watch the construction shows. I like Rock Solid and other home improvement shows.


My spelling is Wobbly. It's good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places. -- Winnie the Pooh

farmfriend  posted on  2007-11-30   15:38:29 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#51. To: Original_Intent (#2)

Smart chicks are soooooo sexy.

An 'above average' intelligence can be a liability.

Humility, an open mind and honesty often go farther...

"They must find it difficult... Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority." ~ Gerald Massey

wudidiz  posted on  2007-11-30   15:40:53 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#52. To: farmfriend (#44)

Nurse Diesel is that you?

"How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to hold the giraffe and one to fill the bathtub with brightly colored power tools." - Unk.

Original_Intent  posted on  2007-11-30   15:42:37 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#53. To: wudidiz (#51)

Smart chicks are soooooo sexy.

And dangerous, but then I like dangerous women - keeps me awake.

An 'above average' intelligence can be a liability.

I would disagree, but it can't correct for personality problems.

Humility, an open mind and honesty often go farther...

Certainly characteristics that reccomend a person, and I have met a few women with such outstanding empathy that any other things are outweighed by the beauty of their spirit.

However, can I have one with "all of the above"?

Is that asking too much?

"How many surrealists does it take to screw in a light bulb? One to hold the giraffe and one to fill the bathtub with brightly colored power tools." - Unk.

Original_Intent  posted on  2007-11-30   15:47:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#54. To: Original_Intent (#49)

They are considered a Beefsteak Variety and can reach a pound or so.

I grew Mortgage Lifters this year for my heirloom beefsteaks. I had one that nearly topped 5 lbs.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:47:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#55. To: Original_Intent (#49)

Pruden's Purple: Actually more of a Pink than a purple, but flavor is comparable to Brandywine,

It's probably a regional thing, but most of my customers seem to prefer a high acid tomato. Brandywine is a sweet tomato. Great for older folks with special digestive needs, but a small segment of my market.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:49:45 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#56. To: duckhunter, Artisan, Original_Intent, farmfriend, robin, christine, James Deffenbach, FormerLurker, FOH, ALL (#47)

Drop Kick Me Jesus

"They must find it difficult... Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority." ~ Gerald Massey

wudidiz  posted on  2007-11-30   15:50:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#57. To: farmfriend (#50)

I like Rock Solid and other home improvement shows.

Sounds like my wife.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:51:28 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#58. To: wudidiz (#56)

I can't access you tube here at work, I'll check it out this PM.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:52:32 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#59. To: Original_Intent (#53)

However, can I have one with "all of the above"?

Don't forget the importance of lar.......nevermind.

duckhunter  posted on  2007-11-30   15:54:04 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#60. To: Original_Intent (#53)

However, can I have one with "all of the above"?

Yes.

Is that asking too much?

I don't think so.

"They must find it difficult... Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority." ~ Gerald Massey

wudidiz  posted on  2007-11-30   15:54:33 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#61. To: wudidiz (#56)

That was special.

Ron Paul for President - Join a Ron Paul Meetup group today!

robin  posted on  2007-11-30   16:01:13 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#62. To: robin (#61)

LOL, thanks.

"They must find it difficult... Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority." ~ Gerald Massey

wudidiz  posted on  2007-11-30   16:04:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  



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