Of course, the answer to this question depends upon a person’s definition of success. If “success” means high achievement, then the only condition that can be declared as absolutely necessary is intensity of purpose. The intensity of purpose is a passionate commitment to a goal that is so strong that it drives a person to …
It is extremely unlikely that anyone of average intelligence could develop enough expertise to become a research mathematician or theoretical physicist, but there is a remote possible exception. The rarified intellectual realm at the top levels of mathematical research was well depicted in the 1997 movie Good Will Hunting. When Fields Medalist, Professor Gerald Lambeau, …
In answering this question, I will assume that “low-class background” refers to a low socioeconomic background. The good news for anyone from a low socioeconomic background is that your intellectual potential is determined to a large extent by the genes you inherit. In 2011, a large group of researchers published a paper stating: (See: Davies, …
Can an exceptionally intelligent person come from a low-class background? Read More »
We have all met people who speak with great certainty about things in which they are not well versed. When challenged they tend to double down on their certainty and refuse to accept the possibility that they may be mistaken. I had a brother-in-law, now deceased, who used to respond to any of my opinions …
High intelligence is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing part is evident to almost everyone. A person of high intelligence can learn easily, qualify for almost any educational degree and, if interested, can earn substantial income. The curse aspect is less evident, but high intelligence, or its proxy a high IQ, can be …
Since applying the term “genius” to a person depends on consensus, usually after their death, I will provide instead some examples of high achievers of very high IQ who were perceived as slow or unintelligent by their teachers and/or parents. On February 11, 1847, Thomas Alva Edison was born in Milan Ohio, the seventh and …
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is typically assessed by these five traits: self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills. Certainly, someone who is low in all these attributes is unlikely to be a successful leader. To be a strong leader, you must possess a high motivation, evident through your passion for a cause. You must also have …
Assessing someone’s intelligence is extremely difficult, whether or not you take into account their educational credentials or achievements. I have seen people who are highly educated, but who believe in superstitions that are entirely unsubstantiated by scientific observation. When their opinions are challenged, they become defensive and move quickly from rational to emotional mode. I …
All humans feel emotions, especially fear, anger, frustration, sexual desire, envy and loneliness. These are all hardwired into our psyche to improve our chances of survival as individuals and as a member of a species. However, the intensity of these emotions varies significantly across individuals The term “empathy” is used to describe our emotional connection …
The answer to this question depends to some extent on the role in which the person is functioning. In a role that has high public visibility, such as a political position, the foolish know-it-all usually presents little danger because their incompetence becomes widely observable and their influence is therefore, minimal. We have seen examples of …
