This essay was written for the Immerse education essay competition earlier this year. Please enjoy.
Most people associate the word ‘intelligence’ with its common dictionary definition, which is “the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.” In today’s society, intelligence is often mistaken for acquiring high results and accomplishing outstanding awards, however, this may not be applicable to everyone. As Einstein once said, "Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."
Not everyone has the same abilities; some may be fluent in maths, others in science, technology, etc. We cannot compare these different abilities and produce a single conclusion to show who is best. This is what Einstein meant; each individual has a key set of core values and characteristics that make each of them unique, therefore labelling one as an ‘intelligent’ or ‘unintelligent’ person would be invalid. Everybody has the ability to implement certain skills and put them to good use, they are just different for everyone.
Intelligence is said to be genetic, as well as influenced by environmental factors. I believe that it comes from environmental factors and human interaction. Nobody has no special ability or intelligence when it comes to what they excel in. Of course, it is impossible to measure the intelligence of someone through a test; a prime example of this is IQ (Intelligence quotient). Not only does it limit the subjects of what people with different abilities have, but may also decrease their morale.
Take a look at Max Park, a world class elite speedcuber who has broken several world records in recent years. He was diagnosed with autism at a young age, but using cubing as a medium, he transformed his life and is considered an extremely talented and intelligent individual. This goes to show that anyone with a disability can be just as great as anyone else. Please enjoy the short documentary.
Howard Gardner, an American psychologist, suggested 8 types of intelligence: linguistic, musical, spatial, intrapersonal, interpersonal, logical-mathematical, bodily-kinesthetic, and naturalist. There are a countless number people who have outstanding abilities, a handful of which are famous for their stunning work in their fields. Gardner initially thought that someone who excelled in one ability would lack in the other, yet after extensive testing, his results proved that each of the eight intelligences correlate with one another.
A number should not define one’s intelligence, that particular person is the rightful decision maker for that, not a test, nor a machine. IQ tests specialize mainly in Verbal Comprehension, Visual Spatial, Fluid Reasoning, Working Memory, and Processing Speed. Those should not be the only things that produce a “certified mark or grade,” but rather what they candidate decides to be tested on.
Just because someone is not comfortable in speaking, it does not mean that they are inadequate in a language. Speed should also not be a factor, because it does not confirm accuracy, however it may put pressure on the person, giving an unreliable source of information. All these tests may seem somewhat legitimate, nevertheless one should not base their confidence in a low grade that they got for something they were not great in.
In conclusion, intelligence is someone’s way of telling how they look at the world, as well as what they want to achieve in life. As advancement takes time, so does learning and perfection. Nobody else defines your intelligence except for you. Go forth and conquer.
Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed my essay!
~Jeremy Cheang, Class of 2020~
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Everybody has their own ability and there really isn't any basis to define intelligence. But for all I know, intelligence is when one is able to use their talents and skills for success. It doesn't matter what you're skilled at, all that matters is how you use it to survive.