Buddy UP Community - "Word of The Week" = INTELLIGENCE.
The Buddy Up Community "Word of The Week" has become somewhat of a challenge with this word. In fact it has had me thinking about the word, the term, the meaning of it and likewise the consequences that the lack of it brings about as does the abuse and/or malicious use of intelligence.
To go deeper into it, I guess the appropriate place to start are the most common "definitions" of the word:
As per Google:
intelligence
/ɪnˈtɛlɪdʒ(ə)ns/
Learn to pronounce
noun
noun: intelligence
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; informalbraininess
"a man of great intelligence"
antonyms: stupidity
a person or being with the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills.
plural noun: intelligences
"extraterrestrial intelligences"
2
the collection of information of military or political value.
"the chief of military intelligence"
synonyms: information gathering, surveillance, observation, reconnaissance, spying, espionage, undercover work, infiltration, ELINT, cyberespionage, humint; informalrecon
"a former agent for British military intelligence"
As per Wiki
Intelligence has been defined in many ways, including: the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information, and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context.
Intelligence is most often studied in humans but has also been observed in both non-human animals and in plants. Intelligence in machines is called artificial intelligence, which is commonly implemented in computer systems using programs and, sometimes, appropriate hardware.
I dare say that Google has it almost right, in fact if it were to be listed as follows:
The collection of information after which the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills are applied.
Could this be an all encompassing definition of "intelligence"?
I can appreciate that many a philosopher through the course of history has enjoyed a good game of words, even a good game of Scrabble when suitable.
Yet, is it necessary to kill the true meanings of words by twisting them around and using them in ways that they were never intended?
What is the goal of all that?
Could it be that confusion and a lack of definition in life is what some wish to achieve?
Without clear definitions and understanding of what is being said, there is no effective communication and likewise it leaves the doors open for abuse.
People can be abused in all possible ways, from lets say legal proceedings in which there is no precedence as there is no clear cut definition of anything, all the way to the education of youngsters.
For those among us who have seen and experienced judicial systems in which there is no precedence, we can all confirm that corruption and abuse are ramped in such nations/countries. While in those where the judicial system is the same for one and all, as per the definition of precedence, corruption is not an acceptable means of life.
So, What exactly is the goal of those who keep twisting and turning the definitions of words around?
Is it to suit an agenda that we do not know about?
or are they maybe serving an agenda without even realizing it?
Either way, there can be no good brought about if the end result is confusion and abuse of one another in a system in which the spoken word isn't effective.
When the spoken word fails then there is unrest, upheaval and when it comes to the worst of it all, death, bloodshed, war.
I dare say that we here are witnesses to yet another word with extreme importance being killed by those who obviously don't wish to take any responsibility for their actions.
For if they did, they would care about the future and the consequences of their actions.
Think about it.
Yours truly,
@jackmiller
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There's always a place to interpret word depending on the context. Human is not black and white, it's all grey. Since words are human invention, their no clear definition of our communication.
But, hey, at least we have google and wikipedia to gather around ;-)
Interesting post and keep on!
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Getting people to think about things as important as these that we see happening all around us is probably the one and only way to evoke a sincere interest for it.
Grey is good, especially when avoiding responsibilities, while it is the "grey" that should help in understanding the true meanings behind the words and not with a goal for "grey" to replace both the black and the white and any other colour combination that may bring about the grey.
Appreciate your comment, had me thinking again about how I could have maybe said what I wanted to say in a clearer manner. As it is becoming hard to say what one wants without it being misread in this world of chaos.
Nice
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Yes, I can relate, I long for a return to morals, ethics, kindness and civility, along with true intelligence in action.
For far too long, those in power have exhibited far more sociopathy than understanding or intellect, and here, with nearly our entire government having tossed their Oaths of Office over the railing, not to mention our Liar-in-Chief, who abrogated his Oath on his first day of office, things have been pretty depressing in these (dys)United States.
But, in the end, I remain optimistic, even in the face of evidence to the contrary; because I've lived and seen enough to know that most people are mostly good most of the time.
And the tides are beginning to turn.
I've just begun reading the book "Factfulness," by Hans Roling, which is a wonderful testament to the fact that a great deal of the doom and gloom reports by our national and international media are little more than fearmongering bullshit, not based upon factual evidence.
Because a huge percentage of us are operating on seriously outdated datasets. Including reporters and media personnel.
Things are NOT as dire as they seem, the world as a whole has gotten better and better, peoples' lives and economic situations have improved the world over, and we MUST stop buying into the lies and misinformation.
They are killing our planet.
But, when governments the world over are operating under the same outdated datasets, how can we expect them to actually solve anything?
One thing I learned early, as the product of a highly intelligent family, is that true intelligence must include flexibility in thinking, creativity in thinking, and the ability . . . and willingness . . . to admit when we're wrong.
Not bloody likely under our current administration.
But, We the People, ALL people, can do what we can do locally, by being ethical and kind in our own dealings with others. And yes, as Pollyanna as it may sound, it makes a real difference.
And, even more so, we can hold our governments accountable, vote out the bastards who are creating the muck for the rest of us, and enjoy the better and cleaner world that results.
I highly recommend the book "Factfulness."
It will not only invite you to change how you view much of the world, but you will gain invaluable insight into what is really going on, and how you can best help things to get better in your own neck of the woods.
Great post, as usual. Cheers!
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Yes, when the individual is nothing more than an expendable for the good of the masses, then we have a rerun of the most ghastly moments of our history.
Won't touch on your views about who all is currently in power, but I will commend the people of The USA on having a 50/50 split among the voters opinions (shown in the last elections) and yet there is no upheaval or violence in the streets.
The worst I saw was some yelling at some gatherings.
Unlike many other democracies in this world, this is something that should be stated and shown as an example to the entire world.
God bless you Crescendo of Peace. (dare not use the acronym COP hehehehee)
Cheers.
Thanks, Jack, and God bless you and yours as well.
It's funny, because that's what I've always said about disaster films . . . so many films have shown utter destruction in Los Angeles, in one form or another, and most always they show widespread panic and people stepping on one another to survive.
I call bullshit. I was born and raised in L.A., went through my share of earthquakes, wild fires, mudslides, wind storms and violence, and with damned fear exceptions, Angelenos don't panic.
If there's a disaster, Angelenos, and Westerners in general, tend to take a deep breath to get our bearings, then pitch in to help. We come together in times of disaster.
And, by and large, most of the time, in most emergency situations, so do the majority of people, American and otherwise.
Together we are stronger, and our diversity is a huge part of our strength.
Most people are mostly good most of the time.
;-)
That said, I think political parties should be banned. Permanently.
Our founders warned us against them and they were right.
Most of the recent polarization in our country has come from political factions wielding HUGE amounts of graft.
Enough.
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That always happens, the "divide and conquer" when power is at question.
The "collective" is put in front of the individual and individuals always pay the price for it, no matter whether they are or are not part of the "collective".
Priorities are obviously a little obscured to say the least in all parts of this world when it comes to the topic that I often call "the quest for power".
Yeah, I too agree, enough, hopefully more people will read this and think about it, as free and unique individuals and set aside the BS pumped into their heads by those who leech off "the system".
Amen to that.
One of the many reasons why I was grateful, when we moved to Tennessee, was when I realized that it has open primaries.
The ballots are still either Democrat or Republican, which is ill-advised at best, but you don't have to declare a party affiliation unless you want to, and you can request either ballot.
I immediately became Independent.
Which was really only a formality, as I've never believed in voting a straight party ticket, and have always voted for the candidate I thought best qualified, regardless of party.
Which is how I came to vote against both George Bushes, H.W. and W., and yet voted for Jeb Bush twice for governor, though I would never have voted for him for president.
What is missing these days in society and government is not just intelligence, which is actually widely present though underutilized, but critical thinking skills, which are seldom taught in public schools.
One of the things I respected the most about my dad, who taught in the LA Unified School District for 29 years, mostly in South Central and East L.A., was that he went out if his way to teach his kids math and logic games that instilled critical thinking skills as they played.
And his kids loved him for it. In South Central the kids were mostly black, in East L.A. they were mostly Latino, but they were nearly all underserved by the school system.
It was creative teachers like my dad, and a number of his colleagues, who were instrumental in giving these kids the skills they needed to thrive, in spite of the institutionalized idiocies of the system.
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@jackmiller2, most excellent! The paradigm you used with the "Legal System" was so perfect I actually read every word. "Intellect", as I grew to understand, was something one acquired through schooling and experience. I missed the boat there, I guess, but "Wisdom" is gained through experience using "Interllect". Again, I missed the boat, but I try.
Getting back to the judicial system, I am waiting for "honor and respect" to go back to the district attorney side of things. Like Kamala Harris, they tend to hide evidence, especially if it would prove innocence. They create a theory and make the evidence fit it. When they are proven wrong, they never apologize to anyone, only pay that person with taxpayer money.
Loved your writing, please keep it up!
Your example here is perfect to show how no "society" is immune to the "system" and to what all the "system" does to people via the tools that they have available.
As technology advances so too does the abuse of the tools they have.
There is a band from former East Germany called Rammstein who literally summed it up via a song (done in their own artistic style) about this topic of "abuse" for the goal of total and utter control. The theme of the song is literally based on the story of East Germany and the communist/socialist regime there.
So what we see happening today is nothing new, it is an overly tested and proven method that brings about dreadful results every time.
Congratulations @jackmiller2!
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