Resonating Words

Intelligence sometimes make others feel intimidated. They might decide to wage a war, as a defense mechanism (even though no one is attacking other then their own psyche). When a very smart person says an idea, those around him might feel that that person is showing off, trying to win something that they are still trying to figure out, is making them look stupid and useless, would assume a couple of other things about that person’s personality and perhaps list some negatives to why this person might be smart but not happy.

However, they would fail to do something that is important, which is maybe that idea is good for all and implementing it would be of great benefit. People’s egos go into the way on many occasions that have lead to great wars throughout the ages and history would recall several. It is the psychological intimidation or insecurity that some might feel that leads to great misunderstandings.

I was blatantly told once that, “since you are too smart you must be conniving”.

This shocked me to my core, especially when on this occasion I was actually announcing an event to the benefit of all. Instead of a thank you I got insulted. That person ignored the benefit of the event (which was a scientific talk) and instead focused on the fact that I happened to be updated and reading about such matters. He was blind to see my giving hand and instead viewed it as an attack on his ability to know about events before me. It became about success. The race to know. The competitiveness and competency in the field. It felt like monkeys racing for bananas rather than colleagues exchanging information.

It is often said that, “Two minds are better than one.”

To some it seems to be, “only my mind or non.”

And so they make it harder for others to achieve or even point the way for young people to learn more. They might start tallying years and thinking back on what they achieved at their opponents age and decide to outcast them. Not realizing that many minds are way better than one and no one mind can realize it all. That we should all work together to integrate the many sciences and advance into the future. That it takes many hands to clap to the resonance of life instead of a faded echo that quickly dies out.

Instead of the feeling of intimidation maybe people should consider collaboration. Instead of trying to put others down, they must try to lift people up. Yet, it remains a task that must be aimed at collectively. This is not to say that people might not intentionally aim to intimidate others through showing off their intellect, but I am referring the types of personality that would automatically dislike a clever person in the same way that they might dislike a pretty face and add few labels and scenarios to that person’s life before even getting to know that person.