Cava 0 #1 February 18, 2004 Many of you will be familiar with the Simpsons episode in which Lisa notes that there is an inverse relationship between happiness and intelligence. That is, the smarter you are, the more likely you are to be unhappy. What's your opinion on this? What has been your experience? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #2 February 18, 2004 QuoteMany of you will be familiar with the Simpsons episode in which Lisa notes that there is an inverse relationship between happiness and intelligence. That is, the smarter you are, the more likely you are to be unhappy. What's your opinion on this? What has been your experience? The concept of dumb and happy about it is reinforced by scientific study: www.apa.org/journals/psp/psp7761121.html... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 February 18, 2004 I think I like the irony of finding such wisdom from the Simpsons. I understand the premise of happines versus intelligence, but I don't agree with it. I'm reasonably intelligent but not unhappy. So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Darius11 12 #4 February 18, 2004 I think it depends on what kind of intelligence you are talking about. If you mean science or the stuff you learn in school I have no idea if it makes you happier or sad. If by intelligence you mean Enlightment and knowing one self. I think people who are enlightened are a lot happier then people who are not.I'd rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not." - Kurt Cobain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Slappie 9 #5 February 18, 2004 QuoteQuoteMany of you will be familiar with the Simpsons episode in which Lisa notes that there is an inverse relationship between happiness and intelligence. That is, the smarter you are, the more likely you are to be unhappy. What's your opinion on this? What has been your experience? The concept of dumb and happy about it is reinforced by scientific study: www.apa.org/journals/psp/psp7761121.html Very interesting study Kallend. Now I finally understand why I'm a miserable bastard I must be smarter then Einstein!! "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
benny 0 #6 February 18, 2004 I'd say it's a relatively strong correlation. Intelligent people tend to think about alot and often overanalyze every single thing. Never go to a DZ strip show. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vallerina 2 #7 February 18, 2004 No, what I find most often is that conformists tend to be less happy than non-conformists (within reason....I like that all of my coworkers conform to the standard of using a toilet.) I know plenty of unhappy people on both sides of the intelligence fence.There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cudlo 0 #8 February 18, 2004 QuoteNo, what I find most often is that conformists tend to be less happy than non-conformists (within reason....I like that all of my coworkers conform to the standard of using a toilet.) I know plenty of unhappy people on both sides of the intelligence fence. Notice how alot of the "non-conformists" tend to look alike just like the "conformists". True non-conformists are an extremely rare breed and you usually find them in mental wards. Its just part of human nature to belong to a group. Fight it all you like you will always be part of a group. As for the intelligence vs happiness debate. It really depends on what ranges of "mental prowess" we are refering to. If we are speaking simply of intelligence (the ability to regurgitate facts memorized from books), the relevance of being intelligent may be a little trivial. If, we are speaking wisdom (a person with the ability to fully consider situations or concepts without simply applying rules from books) then you would have to take into consideration what type of enviroment they have been exposed to. All in all. Good luck determining any one independant cause of happiness/depression._________________________________________ "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Kierkegaard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lawrocket 3 #9 February 18, 2004 QuoteQuoteMany of you will be familiar with the Simpsons episode in which Lisa notes that there is an inverse relationship between happiness and intelligence. That is, the smarter you are, the more likely you are to be unhappy. What's your opinion on this? What has been your experience? The concept of dumb and happy about it is reinforced by scientific study: www.apa.org/journals/psp/psp7761121.html Yes, kallend, I was going to point to that very study. In fact, that study won an Ignobel Prize Ignobel Prize in 2000. (Is Kruger one of your buddies? He is from Illinois, according the the Annals of Improbable Research.) Personally, I see every day how lowered intelligence leads to heightened self-esteem. Then again, I'm just a lowly guy, anyways... My wife is hotter than your wife. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #10 February 18, 2004 you might want to reevaluate your definition of the word intelligent.____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ACMESkydiver 0 #11 February 18, 2004 QuoteI'd say it's a relatively strong correlation. Intelligent people tend to think about alot and often overanalyze every single thing. Very true, however over-analyzing is also a choice. I was a sad miserable wretch for years until I consciously chose to give it up. Now I'm a very happy person. ~Jaye Do not believe that possibly you can escape the reward of your action. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cudlo 0 #12 February 18, 2004 Quoteyou might want to reevaluate your definition of the word intelligent. why is that?_________________________________________ "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." - Kierkegaard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jayruss 0 #13 February 18, 2004 I think its true, just look at Quade __________________________________________________ "Beware how you take away hope from another human being." -Oliver Wendell Holmes Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
turtlespeed 212 #14 February 18, 2004 QuoteQuoteQuoteMany of you will be familiar with the Simpsons episode in which Lisa notes that there is an inverse relationship between happiness and intelligence. That is, the smarter you are, the more likely you are to be unhappy. What's your opinion on this? What has been your experience? The concept of dumb and happy about it is reinforced by scientific study: www.apa.org/journals/psp/psp7761121.html Very interesting study Kallend. Now I finally understand why I'm a miserable bastard I must be smarter then Einstein!! Yeah, I can't remember ever being happy.I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skipro101 0 #15 February 18, 2004 QuoteQuoteyou might want to reevaluate your definition of the word intelligent. why is that? Because even the "experts" disagree on what intelligence really is. Think of the terms "book smart" and "street smart". I mean, according to some people, anyone who is an astrophysiscist and spends 80hrs+/week for most of us adult life studying math forumulas is...well...stupid. And, those who relax and have fun their entire life, are smart...regardless of whether or not they score below a 70 on the IQ test. The experts even argue about whether or not the IQ test even tests what it is trying to test "read:book smarts"...let alone if it corrolates to what is, really, smartness. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #16 February 18, 2004 Quote Not from here. IL is a big state with a lot of schools. My experience - yes, I'd say that I've noticed this, very often the poorest students are the least likely to realize they have problems. The best ones are also the ones most likely to attend office hours and tutorial sessions and fret because they haven't mastered the minutiae of the subject. ...... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zenister 0 #17 February 18, 2004 QuoteQuoteQuoteyou might want to reevaluate your definition of the word intelligent. why is that? Because even the "experts" disagree on what intelligence really is. and because Quotethe ability to regurgitate facts memorized from books does not qualify as a definition of 'intelligent'____________________________________ Those who fail to learn from the past are simply Doomed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #18 February 18, 2004 That's a great study. Saw it a long time ago and it explains a lot. The dumbest guy I ever met was this kid in high school....I mean he was a complete moron. And he used to brag all the time about how he was the smartest person he ever met. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #19 February 18, 2004 I’ll admit, I didn’t read the entire study so please correct me if I’m wrong. I’m the type of person that always read the Cliff Notes for book reports on ones that didn’t REALLY interest me. Plus, my A.D.D kicks in and really messes me up. I read the abstract as well as the first 4 paragraphs which state three points summed up in the following sentence. “The skills that engender competence in a particular domain are often the very same skills necessary to evaluate competence in that domain–one's own or anyone else's.” What I took from that is that intelligence and the ability to realize one’s level of intelligence is relative and is a product of one’s environment. Therefore, one may be satisfied with his/her level of performance because he/she doesn’t know any better. You don’t realize you’re screwed up if everybody around you is also screwed up. Or, you don’t realize you’re gifted if everybody around you is also and that’s all you’ve ever known. I’m not seeing what that has to do with happiness. The question in the forum pertained to intelligence or the lack thereof as it relates to true happiness. I’m probably looking way too far into this. I agree with Darius11 on this one. I think people, no matter how bright they are or think they are, look for happiness in the wrong place. That doctorate degree on the wall, million dollars you just won in the lottery, or brand new twin otter, will only bring happiness in the short term. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
quade 3 #20 February 18, 2004 Quote I think its true, just look at Quade. Hey, I was just sitting here minding my own freekin' business.quade - The World's Most Boring Skydiver Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 1,621 #21 February 18, 2004 QuoteI’ll admit, I didn’t read the entire study so please correct me if I’m wrong. I’m the type of person that always read the Cliff Notes for book reports on ones that didn’t REALLY interest me. Plus, my A.D.D kicks in and really messes me up. I read the abstract as well as the first 4 paragraphs which state three points summed up in the following sentence. “The skills that engender competence in a particular domain are often the very same skills necessary to evaluate competence in that domain–one's own or anyone else's.” What I took from that is that intelligence and the ability to realize one’s level of intelligence is relative and is a product of one’s environment. Therefore, one may be satisfied with his/her level of performance because he/she doesn’t know any better. You don’t realize you’re screwed up if everybody around you is also screwed up. Or, you don’t realize you’re gifted if everybody around you is also and that’s all you’ve ever known. I’m not seeing what that has to do with happiness. The question in the forum pertained to intelligence or the lack thereof as it relates to true happiness. I’m probably looking way too far into this. I agree with Darius11 on this one. I think people, no matter how bright they are or think they are, look for happiness in the wrong place. That doctorate degree on the wall, million dollars you just won in the lottery, or brand new twin otter, will only bring happiness in the short term. Well, I fret because I'm really not very good at solving partial differential equations analytically (I tend to use a computer) but people who don't know of the existence of such things wouldn't fret about them. So in this sense, ignorance is bliss.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #22 February 18, 2004 QuoteWell, I fret because I'm really not very good at solving partial differential equations analytically Damn you, John. I was all relaxed and heppy. Now I'm going to be up all night!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
batbex 0 #23 February 18, 2004 QuoteI'm really not very good at solving partial differential equations analytically and that's why they invented MAPLE the whole world would be a happier place without differential equations Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kramer 0 #24 February 18, 2004 I must be one dumb bastard. The FAKE KRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMER!!!!!!!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pajarito 0 #25 February 18, 2004 Yes, but bliss is not the same thing as happiness....I guess it's all in how you look at it. A dumb person who floats around all day in the field because he doesn't know how to do anything and doesn't know any better might be happy. However, I know people who are happiest doing differential equations and programmers who are happiest fixing code working at their computers in a closet. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
