I've been thinking a lot lately about what it really means to be a wise, intelligent human being in this crazy, mixed-up world of ours. And the more I think about it, the more I realize that maybe, just maybe, we've been getting it all wrong.
I mean, let's start with the basics. What is intelligence, anyway? Is it just about being able to solve problems quickly and come up with clever solutions on the fly? Is it about acing standardized tests and impressing everyone with our big, shiny brains?
Well, sure, that's part of it. But as Arthur C. Brooks points out, there's actually a big difference between what he calls "fluid" and "crystallized" intelligence. Fluid intelligence is what we usually think of when we hear the word "smart" - it's that raw brainpower that allows us to think fast, adapt to new situations, and come up with creative ideas. And it's great, don't get me wrong.
But crystallized intelligence? That's where the real magic happens. Crystallized intelligence is all about the wisdom and knowledge that we accumulate over time through experience and learning. It's the stuff that allows us to see patterns, make connections, and navigate life's trickiest challenges with a sense of perspective and understanding.
And here's the really wild part: while fluid intelligence tends to peak in our 20s and 30s, crystallized intelligence actually keeps growing and deepening as we age. It's like a fine wine, getting better and more complex over time.
So what does all this have to do with being a good, wise human being? Well, everything, really. Because as Paul Graham points out in his essay on the subject, being truly wise isn't just about being smart in the moment. It's about knowing which problems are actually worth solving in the first place, and having the moral clarity and life experience to make tough decisions with compassion and integrity.
We need more of that in the world right now. We need people who aren't just brilliant, but wise. People who can look at the mess we're in and see the potential for beauty and transformation. People who can take the long view and make choices that are good not just for themselves, but for everyone.
But here's the thing: that kind of wisdom doesn't come easy. It's not something you can just pick up from a self-help book or a motivational seminar. It's something that you have to earn through the hard, messy work of living. It's something that comes from making mistakes and learning from them, from opening yourself up to new experiences and perspectives, from being willing to grow and change and evolve.
And that's where Maggie Smith's beautiful poem "Good Bones" comes in. Because if we're going to cultivate that kind of wisdom, we have to start by being honest with ourselves and with each other. We have to acknowledge the fact that life is short and the world is at least half terrible, and that pretending otherwise doesn't do anyone any favors.
But we also have to hold onto the hope and the possibility that things can be different, that we can take this broken-down house of a world and make it beautiful again. We have to be like that realtor in Smith's poem, walking through the shithole and chirping on about the good bones, the potential for transformation.
And we have to be willing to do the work, to put in the time and the effort and the heart to make that transformation happen. We have to surround ourselves with people who challenge us and inspire us and push us to be our best selves. We have to seek out new experiences and ideas and ways of being in the world.
Because in the end, that's what being a wise, intelligent human being is all about. It's not just about having a high IQ or being able to solve clever puzzles. It's about having the moral clarity and the emotional intelligence and the depth of understanding to make the world a little bit better, a little bit more beautiful, every single day.
And it's not always going to be easy. There will be days when we feel like we're stumbling around in the dark, when everything feels hopeless and impossible. But if we can hold onto that vision of the world as it could be, if we can keep believing in the good bones and the possibility of transformation, then I know we can make it happen.
We can be the wise ones, the ones who lead with love and fight for what's right. We can be the ones who take this short, precious, terrible, beautiful life and make it into something extraordinary.
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