NOT Connecting the Dots Creates STUPID

Opening Insights

The Traveler

Once upon a time a man found himself standing at the fork in the road. One road lead to the city of truth, and one road lead to the city of lies. There were two men there from each city, but the traveler couldn't discern who was from which place (who was the truth teller vs. the liar).

The man wanted to get to the city of truth.

He had the opportunity to ask one question to one man to assess and discern with road would take him to the city of truth. What question could he ask either man to be assured he would get to where he wanted to go?

The traveler thought hard. And then asked the question: which road will take me to the other man's city? The Liar will tell the traveler of the lying city and the truth-teller will also tell the traveler of the lying city, hence the traveler knew to do the opposite.  

Informational Insights

This story shares an important element of logic and reasoning that is missing from many people's conscious awareness and education today.

We are all travelers in life. Some of us have learned to asses and discern the paths of life from a perspective of logic and reasoning, others have not been taught or failed to learn the lessons of critical / intelligent thinking.

The New Normal Mindset

The millennial / technology-addicted mentality of people today creates a thinking process of:

• I don't hear
• I don't see
• I don't care
• I already know
• I don't want you to know

This type of thinking has been conditioned into our individual and collective minds. Many of us have been conditioned to think that certain things are normal and acceptable. For example: back in the 70's the mark of a strong man was defined by the Camel and Marlboro Man Adverts. Today the mark of youth and confidence is defined by the adverts of Angry and Aloof celebrities and models.

Additionally, many of us have become conditioned to confuse feelings and emotions. Many of us experience feeling and attach a past emotion to the feeling, thus reacting to present feelings with old reactive (childish survival mechanisms) of the past. For example: when someone tells us "NO" today, we revert back into a childish tantrum and pout or stamp our feet.

Let's take a minute and explore the concept of intelligence.

What is Intelligence?

I know that I am intelligent,
because I know that I know nothing.
SOCRATES

The Oxford Dictionary defines intelligence as: 

1. the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills:

   "an eminent man of great intelligence"

   synonyms: intellectual/mental capacity ·  intellect · mind · brain · brains · brainpower · powers of reasoning · judgement · reason · reasoning · understanding · comprehension · acumen · wit · sense · insight · perceptiveness · perception · perspicaciousness · perspicacity · penetration · discernment · sharpness · quickness of mind · quick-wittedness · smartness · canniness · astuteness · intuition · acuity · alertness · cleverness · brilliance · aptness · ability · giftedness · talent · braininess
   antonyms: stupidity

   • a person or being with the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills:"extraterrestrial intelligences"

More than that intelligence is the ability to connect the cause and effect of life events and situations to predictable principles and models.  Intelligence is our ability to experience and learn from life from many avenues and perspectives: all 8Q's.

Most importantly intelligence is our ability to assess and discern and connect DOTS.

True intelligence is not learning how to win, it is learning how to not lose. For example: machine learning is programmed not to lose, rather than to win. This allows for the machine to learn from its mistakes. Thus, the most intelligent person is not the most intelligent, but the most able and willing to learn, unlearn and relearn. If we are smart without being wise all we become is unable to connect the DOTS and STUPID.

So, how do we turn the tide?

Possibilities for Consideration: Taking the Silver Out

In order to become wise we need to:

• Hear: the ability to listen, take in and be present to information you receive
• See: the ability to see a situation as it is: attention, respect and appreciation (not as we want it to be)
• Understand: the ability to assess situations based on principles and models
• Think: the ability to assess and discern to make mature decisions, take action and evaluate the consequences
• Share: the ability to disseminate the lessons and wisdom we discover with others

Yet, the question is often not what to do, but how!

The Pocket Wisdom Insights Co-Lab offers the platform for cultures, organizations and communities to rebuild and reform from smart - to intelligent - to wise. PWI Co-Labs, powered by AwareComm, offer a way to leverage capital and monetize assets through the establishment of sustainable collaborative communities and organizations.

Take a moment and examine…

• As you reviewed the material above, what stood out to you?
• What is the potential impact, economically and/or socially?
• What action is needed to stop or support this idea?
• You may want to consider whether you:
  • want to be aware of,
  • should become supportive of,
  • would want to be active in this topic?

Add Your Insight

I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply.
Being willing is not enough; we must do.
LEONARDO DA VINCI