We just had a thread asking for who is the smartest [most intelligent] doper, and after reading the responses I thought I would bring this question up.
Some people have an amazing brain for retaining vast amounts of information and interpreting it. We have walking encyclopedias and we have amazing problem solvers. Yet, IMHO these in and of themselves are irrelevant in measuring how well a person uses their mind.
No matter how much brain power you have, the first question is, or at least should be in my opinion, “What questions or subjects are worth dedicating my brain power to solving or thinking about?” This is not a question of fact, it is a question of wisdom. It is a question that measures not raw brain power, but rather a persons knowledge of themselves and life. It is a question of values.
To me, it is a sign of wisdom when a person chooses, before they dedicate years of study to a particular subject, to dedicate their full brain capacity to figure out why they are doing what they are doing.
Should one study subjects because the subject is widely considered important? Or because it is challenging? Or because you could save lives? Save the environment?
Personally, I am totally selfish. The only reason I study a subject is because it enriches my life and leads to my greater happiness.
So just curious. What are your personal reasons for researching and learning about different subjects?