Why Am I Smart?

[BigRoryG]

More to the point, my freidn Jess asked me a question: Why do I understand Chemistry and she doesn't?

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"C'mon, it's not even tomorrow yet..." - Rupert

If you need a graphic solution, http:\\talk.to\Piglet (http://talk.to\Piglet)

[Konrad]

Because Jess is your cat.

[JamesCarroll]

As with most things related to the human experiance probably a combination of nature and nurture. But in your case (Chemistry) it's most likely 'cuz you're wierd. Chemistry sucks!! ;)

[UncleBeer]

You may understand chemistry, but you certainly don't have a friggin' clue concerning sentence structure. Nor have you mastered the simple task of reviewing your post before submittal.

Your intelligence appears a bit parochial to me, although I'll reserve final judgement pending evidence of your chemistry knowledge.

Whadda maroon.

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"A zebra does not change its spots."
~Al Gore, 1992~

[TomH]

Parochial intelligence?

[UncleBeer]

parochial - restricted to a small area or scope; narrow; limited; provincial.

[DrFidelius]

Nu, look at Mr. Big-Shot who thinks he's so smart...

[TomH]

I know what parochial means, but I don't see how it can be applied to intelligence. You wouldn't say "parochial strength" or "parochial knitting ability".

Are you suggesting that his range of interests or understanding of the world is parochial? Or perhaps that he has his head up his arse?

Maybe it's an American English usage with which I'm unfamiliar.

[UncleBeer]

Okay, I'll respond order.

DrFidelius - I'm not entirely certain that shot was directed at me, but my snotty comments were directed at BRG for his behavior in these two threads.
http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/003895.html
http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/004293.html

Maybe it's the start of a vendetta; I don't know. I have a problem with people who act like jerks without provocation. I may be guilty of the same here; if so, fine, call me on it. This is merely in response to BRG's shown lack of civility and an attempt to highlight his previous snide remarks.

TomH - Maybe you wouldn't say, "parochial strength" or "parochial knitting ability." You could certainly say, "limited intelligence, limited strength, or limited knitting ability," though. I do see your point and maybe I could have selected a better word, like knowledge or education. Point taken.

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"A zebra does not change its spots."
~Al Gore, 1992~

[DrFidelius]

Sorry Unk, it wasn't aimed at you.

BRG seemed a little cocksure of himself merely because he happens to understand something that a friend of his does not. I do not question his knowledge of chemistry, for I have not yet seen it demonstrated. However, the fact that a person has an aptitude for one area of knowledge does not make him "smarter" than a person whose talents are in a different field.

I do not expect everyone to be able to run at the same speed. I do not expect everyone to sing well. I see no reason to assign a value like "smarter" to the ability to "get" one set of concepts better than another person.


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'This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it.' cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. 'Slander those who tell it ye. Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse. And abide the end.'
-C. Dickens

[TomH]

UncleBeer - Thanks. I was wondered whether it was an American usage that I hadn't come across before.

I see what you mean about his previous behaviour, as well. He has managed to produce a particularly grating combination of illiteracy and unprovoked bile. In particular, in the cameras thread, the dreadful use of "I could care less" when that is the exact opposite of what he clearly means.

I'm not sure about the point of the original post either. Is it "look at me, aren't I clever" or is it an attempt to start a genuine nature vs. nurture thread? It doesn't seem to be a very good attempt at either.

[UncleBeer]

Thanks, guys. I wasn't entirely sure how to take your posts; it just goes to show the benefits of a little civilized communication. You have my respect.

TomH, you have a point about the OP. If it's an attempt at, "Nature vs. Nurture," besides being a feeble effort, it belongs in the GD forum. If it's a, "Look at Me," thing it belongs in MPSIMS, or nowhere at all.

Now whaddya say we take Rory over to the pit for a session with the "Board of Education?" I guess maybe we should wait to see how he responds to this.

[BigRoryG]

Well, it seems as though having slept through last night, I have left this thread alone for far too long. I haven't got much time to defend myself, I have to go to my chemistry exam which I was studying for last night with my friend Jess when SHE posed me the question, "Why are you so smart and I'm not?" leading me to wonder the same thing.

I may have posted in haste (friedn) but i certainly meant no offense to anyone, nor was it my intent to uselessly laud myself for my intellect. I was simply curious; I had thought this was a place where curious minds could come to find answers.

As for you UncleBeer and the two posts you cited, one was a genuine question which was virulently atacked and I decided to fight fire with fire, and I felt as though I was at least as polite as the gentleperson who verbally assaulted me. I was simply trying to increase my mediocre knowledge of something i was about to spend a lage amount of dollars on.

As for the second one, I was being quite snide, but hey, I was in a snide humour and wasn't attacking the OP, only some guy who made an essentially irrelevant comment and so this discourse is not overtly hypocritical.

I generally tend to be one of those guys who doesn't like to make any enemies, but if you're going to ride me for no other reason than that you just happen to want to, I'd be happy to be your archrival.


As for my intelligence, frankly, I've seen much worse sentence structure than mine. At least attack my typography.

As for the rest of the accusations at my cocksurity, Iam not being egotistical, although it does tend to be one of my favorite pastimes, I simply wanted an explanation as to why it was so much easier for me to understand some concepts that she did not. I love my friend dearly, and would make no attempt to belittle her.

Furthermore, If, UncleBeer, you wish to obtain a piece of me, e-mail me at bigroryg@yahoo.com, or look me up on ICQ and let's take it outside, instead of you showing off to your friends here.

[TomH]

If he responds to this. He seems to have a nasty case of "post and run". (cf. your final post in the cameras thread.)

[TomH]

Sod's Law: my post suggesting that the original poster won't respond goes up within seconds of the response.

I withdraw the "post and run" allegation.

[UncleBeer]

BRG, this is the last I'm going to say about this in this forum; I'm still considering the pit, though. As for e-mail, I have absolutely no desire to swap venomous messages with you through that vehicle, nor will I read anything you send me. Our disagreement started on this message board and will continue either in the BBQ Pit here, or nowhere.

As for you UncleBeer and the two posts you cited, one was a genuine question which was virulently atacked and I decided to fight fire with fire, and I felt as though I was at least as polite as the gentleperson who verbally assaulted me.

I'm sure anyone who has read the posts in question does not see your response as fighting fire with fire. Someone asked for clarification of your question and you started calling names. Equal footing? I think not.

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"A zebra does not change its spots."
~Al Gore, 1992~

[DSYoungEsq]

Um, Uncle? Sometimes, attacking someone can lead to stepping in the same dog doo...

Please read your first sentence in your 8:37 a.m. post and contrast it with the second sentence in your first (6:54 a.m.) post. ;)


The OP was an inartfully phrased attempt to address the question of what causes a person to be as intelligent as he or she is, and to what extent to multiple intelligences exist and how do they occur (genetics? upbringing? clean living?). Given the relative youth of the poster, one can perhaps excuse the essence of "Look at the great me" contained therein. Taking a shot at him, then falling amiss of the same perceived lacks yourself causes one to think of glass, lots and lots of glass. ;)

[Flypsyde]

And further evidence that Rory can be less than congenial for no reason at all:

Pluto: (ha-ha! I bet I get more days off than you do!)

Actually, stud, I only go to schhol 180 days a year. Beat that, bitch.

(From this thread (http://www.straightdope.com/ubb/Forum3/HTML/004303.html))

I will agree with Unc that any further points against should be posted in the Pit, but I couldn't let him have all the fun.




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"And he, he himself, the Grinch,
carved the roast beast."

[UncleBeer]

Yeah, you're right DS. You have no idea how much I regret the ommission of that one little word. in darn it, in order.

However, I am excoriating Rory for a multitude of posts, not just the OP here. Well, maybe excoriate is a bit strong. How about chastise?

[Jodi]

Once you guys have decided why Rory's so smart, maybe you can tell me why I'm so fabulously beautiful.

What? Did that sound vain? Well, actually, it was a friend of mine who asked, "Jodi, why are you so much more fabulously beautiful than I am?" And I thought, huh; good question! Guess I'll ask some people who would know, which is why I'm posting this here.

Please help.



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Jodi

Fiat Justitia

[handy]

Some people are more *right* brained than others....left & right brains have certain properties. Course, could also say a man's brain weighs more than a woman's, which is true.

[DSYoungEsq]

Lambaste? Blister? Castigate? Flay? Lash (into)? Scarify? (ewwwww that isn't even a word, is it??) Scathe? Scorch? Scourge? Slash? Tear into?


Your ever helpful obfuscator... ;)

[UncleBeer]

Maybe we can hide the entire purpose of this thread, DSY.

So, how's Waterville these days? I used to ride my bike through there quite often when I lived in Rossford. Have you ever gone up the road and had the prime rib at the Whitehouse Inn?

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"A zebra does not change its spots."
~Al Gore, 1992~

[BigRoryG]

As for that post to Pluto, it was late, and he started it. Sorry.

As for UncleBeer I have no desire to exchange scathing e-mails either, however if you have a problem with me, you should approach me with it, and not just whine.

Does anyone remember the OP?



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"C'mon, it's not even tomorrow yet..." - Rupert

If you need a graphic solution, http:\\talk.to\Piglet (http://talk.to\Piglet)

[KeithM]

You people. Actually, I thought the question was a valid one. Why do two people, with similar life experiences and educational backgrounds, have different levels of understanding of the same data? "Nature and nurture" seems a bit of a glib, superficial answer for The Straight Dope forum.

What is it? Got to be something in the wiring -- brain chemistry or something.

[Jois]

Hi KeithM!

Welcome to the SDMB. It's always had to talk naturally when the "talk" eliminates the voice, inflection, emphasis, facial expressions and whatever else there is that help us understand each other face to face.

If the "Original Poster" (OP) has asked the question the same way you did I'm sure someone would have picked up the topic and you might have seen a lively debate.

Hang around for a couple of days!



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Oh, I'm gonna keep using these #%@&* codes 'til I get 'em right.

I have absolutely no sense of direction. I continuously go the wrong way even tho I know that in the late afternoon the sun sets in the west. Yet I dont feel that someone like my wife who has an excellent sense of direction is smarter because of this. They say if you have a pineal gland in your brain that sense of direction is better than one who does not.

[DSYoungEsq]

Uncle! I think we have TOTALLY hijacked it! <lol>

I have indeed had the pleasure of eating at the Whitehouse Inn, and can also say quite happily that I have NOT eaten at the Cafe Chickaroo up the street! :)

Apologies to the OP, here... perhaps someone wants to offer some thoughts regarding origins of intelligence? Actually, I think it was beaten to death not too long ago in another thread, but with the thread search engine putting out kludge...

[Irishman]

To finish the non-topic, there's a mix of stuff with BigRoryG's posts. The first was an overreaction on the camera thread, and not warranted. Misunderstanding of JFK's meaning?

The second was veiled sarcasm. I kinda caught that.

The third (going to school 180 days) seemed more of the same - respond with same one-uppity tone as the previous post.

Then the OP, which again I judge as a smarmy title followed by a slightly better rephrase.

Sure, he comes on strong, but I really only see one case where he merits a bitch-slap, and the rest are just poorly executed sarcasm, and your own biased attention.

BRG - try laying off the flame-talk till people figure you out. UncleBeer - take a chill pill and see if he gets better.

Is it all over now?

[DAVEW0071]

Actually, the ham-fisted way in which the OP was worded gets in the way of the original question contained therein, to wit: Why can I readily understand something that someone else has difficulty with?

I've often wondered this myself, since I've been a trained musician since the age of five. It must be both nature and nurture, since I must have shown some flair for music at an early age, and then received training, which furthered my understanding of music. This leads to friends marveling at the fact that I can read music, and my kind of shrugging it off, because, hey, I can read English, too. I was taught at an early age, so it's no big deal. If Lithuanian had been spoken in my house as I grew up, I'd speak Lithuanian as well.

Similarly, people who understand chemistry or calculus with fewer problems than others (who are intelligent, but just can't grasp certain concepts) are experiencing a different facet of the same phenomenon. Something clicks and they run with it. That's just the way their brians are.

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The Dave-Guy
"since my daughter's only half-Jewish, can she go in up to her knees?" J.H. Marx