Comments on: The Dumb Will Get Dumber, and the Smart Will Get Smarter http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/ A place for my thoughts to linger Sat, 30 Jan 2010 23:42:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jason Blacquiere http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-352 Jason Blacquiere Thu, 05 Mar 2009 08:28:07 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-352 I wholeheartedly agree with your post, Peter. And as you touch on the topic of intelligence, my thoughts race to my research, where it seems I cannot find any support for significant intellectual change in people. At least in so far as the smart do not get "dumber" and the dumb do not get "smarter". You outline this perfectly in the title. By the way, I assume that when you mention intelligence, you mean in respect to one's level of knowledge. ("For better using the internet, I’ve listed a few sites that I visit regularly to update my knowledge" - Peter Kao)<br><br>Also, I think that there are certain qualities of "dumb" people that precede their ability to at least portray intelligence. Arrogance, the need for attention and ignorance (this one is obvious, but I mean in relation to egoism, that others exist beyond one's own being), to name a few. I think these qualities hinder one's ability to learn. When a "dumb" person doesn't need to cover their intelligence with the facade of idiocy, intentionally or unconsciously, they seem to absorb what they take in, rather than brush it off as unimportant information. You touch on bits of this in the third-to-last paragraph. ("But how about easy online access to the news and other lessons? Doesn’t that help “dumb” people engage in learning experiences who would otherwise be wasting their time? No, we’re all spoiled and we get what we want." - Peter Kao)<br><br>Overall, I really enjoyed this. I hope I didn't "kill it" by over-analyzing things...I have A.I. on the brain these days, and I really enjoy learning about it. I wholeheartedly agree with your post, Peter. And as you touch on the topic of intelligence, my thoughts race to my research, where it seems I cannot find any support for significant intellectual change in people. At least in so far as the smart do not get “dumber” and the dumb do not get “smarter”. You outline this perfectly in the title. By the way, I assume that when you mention intelligence, you mean in respect to one's level of knowledge. (“For better using the internet, I’ve listed a few sites that I visit regularly to update my knowledge” – Peter Kao)

Also, I think that there are certain qualities of “dumb” people that precede their ability to at least portray intelligence. Arrogance, the need for attention and ignorance (this one is obvious, but I mean in relation to egoism, that others exist beyond one's own being), to name a few. I think these qualities hinder one's ability to learn. When a “dumb” person doesn't need to cover their intelligence with the facade of idiocy, intentionally or unconsciously, they seem to absorb what they take in, rather than brush it off as unimportant information. You touch on bits of this in the third-to-last paragraph. (“But how about easy online access to the news and other lessons? Doesn’t that help “dumb” people engage in learning experiences who would otherwise be wasting their time? No, we’re all spoiled and we get what we want.” – Peter Kao)

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I hope I didn't “kill it” by over-analyzing things…I have A.I. on the brain these days, and I really enjoy learning about it.

]]> By: Peter Kao http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-351 Peter Kao Thu, 05 Mar 2009 07:12:15 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-351 A stronger economy correlates with the overall well-being (includes intelligence) of the entire nation, and not the well-being of a greedy few.<br><br>Take for example the correlation between GDP and education.<br><a href="http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gdp_education.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/0...</a><br><br>When overall intelligent increases, there will still be smarter people out there - and some will become leaders. I just hope they are so smart that they can spare some humility as well. A stronger economy correlates with the overall well-being (includes intelligence) of the entire nation, and not the well-being of a greedy few.

Take for example the correlation between GDP and education.
http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/0...

When overall intelligent increases, there will still be smarter people out there – and some will become leaders. I just hope they are so smart that they can spare some humility as well.

]]> By: Stanley Xie http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-350 Stanley Xie Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:36:57 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-350 Very well written Peter. Good insights with powerful points. Got to confess I do those things you perceived as dumb all the time, but your words gave me some insight into my hobbies and how I spent my time. <br><br>Couldn't agree more about with you when you said "we will all end up knowing more than before. The question is - about what?" I treat learning as one of my hobbies, but I guess it is important to choose what I learn too. <br><br>Very helpful links. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work and remember to post them on Facebook. I will check them out for sure if I see them. <br><br>Stanley Very well written Peter. Good insights with powerful points. Got to confess I do those things you perceived as dumb all the time, but your words gave me some insight into my hobbies and how I spent my time.

Couldn't agree more about with you when you said “we will all end up knowing more than before. The question is – about what?” I treat learning as one of my hobbies, but I guess it is important to choose what I learn too.

Very helpful links. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work and remember to post them on Facebook. I will check them out for sure if I see them.

Stanley

]]> By: Jason Blacquiere http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-268 Jason Blacquiere Thu, 05 Mar 2009 03:28:07 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-268 I wholeheartedly agree with your post, Peter. And as you touch on the topic of intelligence, my thoughts race to my research, where it seems I cannot find any support for significant intellectual change in people. At least in so far as the smart do not get "dumber" and the dumb do not get "smarter". You outline this perfectly in the title. By the way, I assume that when you mention intelligence, you mean in respect to one's level of knowledge. ("For better using the internet, I’ve listed a few sites that I visit regularly to update my knowledge" - Peter Kao)<br><br>Also, I think that there are certain qualities of "dumb" people that precede their ability to at least portray intelligence. Arrogance, the need for attention and ignorance (this one is obvious, but I mean in relation to egoism, that others exist beyond one's own being), to name a few. I think these qualities hinder one's ability to learn. When a "dumb" person doesn't need to cover their intelligence with the facade of idiocy, intentionally or unconsciously, they seem to absorb what they take in, rather than brush it off as unimportant information. You touch on bits of this in the third-to-last paragraph. ("But how about easy online access to the news and other lessons? Doesn’t that help “dumb” people engage in learning experiences who would otherwise be wasting their time? No, we’re all spoiled and we get what we want." - Peter Kao)<br><br>Overall, I really enjoyed this. I hope I didn't "kill it" by over-analyzing things...I have A.I. on the brain these days, and I really enjoy learning about it. I wholeheartedly agree with your post, Peter. And as you touch on the topic of intelligence, my thoughts race to my research, where it seems I cannot find any support for significant intellectual change in people. At least in so far as the smart do not get “dumber” and the dumb do not get “smarter”. You outline this perfectly in the title. By the way, I assume that when you mention intelligence, you mean in respect to one's level of knowledge. (“For better using the internet, I’ve listed a few sites that I visit regularly to update my knowledge” – Peter Kao)

Also, I think that there are certain qualities of “dumb” people that precede their ability to at least portray intelligence. Arrogance, the need for attention and ignorance (this one is obvious, but I mean in relation to egoism, that others exist beyond one's own being), to name a few. I think these qualities hinder one's ability to learn. When a “dumb” person doesn't need to cover their intelligence with the facade of idiocy, intentionally or unconsciously, they seem to absorb what they take in, rather than brush it off as unimportant information. You touch on bits of this in the third-to-last paragraph. (“But how about easy online access to the news and other lessons? Doesn’t that help “dumb” people engage in learning experiences who would otherwise be wasting their time? No, we’re all spoiled and we get what we want.” – Peter Kao)

Overall, I really enjoyed this. I hope I didn't “kill it” by over-analyzing things…I have A.I. on the brain these days, and I really enjoy learning about it.

]]> By: Peter Kao http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-267 Peter Kao Thu, 05 Mar 2009 02:12:15 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-267 A stronger economy correlates with the overall well-being (includes intelligence) of the entire nation, and not the well-being of a greedy few.<br><br>Take for example the correlation between GDP and education.<br><a href="http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/gdp_education.jpg" rel="nofollow">http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/0...</a><br><br>When overall intelligent increases, there will still be smarter people out there - and some will become leaders. I just hope they are so smart that they can spare some humility as well. A stronger economy correlates with the overall well-being (includes intelligence) of the entire nation, and not the well-being of a greedy few.

Take for example the correlation between GDP and education.
http://filipspagnoli.files.wordpress.com/2008/0...

When overall intelligent increases, there will still be smarter people out there – and some will become leaders. I just hope they are so smart that they can spare some humility as well.

]]> By: Stanley Xie http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-266 Stanley Xie Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:36:57 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-266 Very well written Peter. Good insights with powerful points. Got to confess I do those things you perceived as dumb all the time, but your words gave me some insight into my hobbies and how I spent my time. <br><br>Couldn't agree more about with you when you said "we will all end up knowing more than before. The question is - about what?" I treat learning as one of my hobbies, but I guess it is important to choose what I learn too. <br><br>Very helpful links. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work and remember to post them on Facebook. I will check them out for sure if I see them. <br><br>Stanley Very well written Peter. Good insights with powerful points. Got to confess I do those things you perceived as dumb all the time, but your words gave me some insight into my hobbies and how I spent my time.

Couldn't agree more about with you when you said “we will all end up knowing more than before. The question is – about what?” I treat learning as one of my hobbies, but I guess it is important to choose what I learn too.

Very helpful links. Thanks for sharing. Keep up the good work and remember to post them on Facebook. I will check them out for sure if I see them.

Stanley

]]> By: Chris Carmichael http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-265 Chris Carmichael Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:44:20 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-265 there will still be those people that are smart and you can form great teams with, just a lot less of them. They will still innovate and all that... but you cant have a strong economy with only smart people that are leaders.. everyone will be overqualified and will want to be paid too much... its already happening now. we need those monkeys! there will still be those people that are smart and you can form great teams with, just a lot less of them. They will still innovate and all that… but you cant have a strong economy with only smart people that are leaders.. everyone will be overqualified and will want to be paid too much… its already happening now. we need those monkeys!

]]> By: peterkao http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-264 peterkao Wed, 04 Mar 2009 19:12:20 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-264 That's true, but it may not be beneficial depending on what business you<br>run.<br><br>For must businesses, you want smart employees. Employees that can generate<br>ideas as well as they can execute tasks.<br><br>I would prefer to have a nation of intelligent people and work together with<br>them to get things done than to be the wise-man giving out *orders.* That's true, but it may not be beneficial depending on what business you
run.

For must businesses, you want smart employees. Employees that can generate
ideas as well as they can execute tasks.

I would prefer to have a nation of intelligent people and work together with
them to get things done than to be the wise-man giving out *orders.*

]]> By: Chris Carmichael http://peterkao.com/2009/03/04/the-dumb-will-get-dumber-and-the-smart-will-get-smarter/comment-page-1/#comment-263 Chris Carmichael Wed, 04 Mar 2009 18:17:52 +0000 http://peterkao.com/?p=250#comment-263 I look at this as an opportunity. We need more dumb people to do the monkey work. Its all about being at the top of the bellcurve of life, and its not turning into a /U shape which is good for me and you :D. <br>You forgot to add Gizmodo I know you look at that too.<br>Love, Chris I look at this as an opportunity. We need more dumb people to do the monkey work. Its all about being at the top of the bellcurve of life, and its not turning into a /U shape which is good for me and you :D .
You forgot to add Gizmodo I know you look at that too.
Love, Chris

]]>