Throughout the essay, Isaac Asimov’s “What is Intelligence, Anyway?”, really is trying to say how society views intelligence, as it is measured in many ways. Isaac brings up the idea of a test score and how that is only a reflection of a person’s capability to respond to the exam questions. As simple as that sounds, it is very true. When you see someone else who has a lower test score than someone with a higher test score, who are you choosing to study with? That simply begs the question of how test scores are affecting a person’s self-esteem, as when they get lower test scores, they would believe that they are not intelligent.” Therefore, it is better to not label other people “intelligent” but rather show off what they excel at instead. Well, let’s say that I have to define the word intelligence., I think everyone is good at some things and bad at some things, but the real question is, did we all grow up in the same place? No. Which then brings on this idea that everyone has their own “intelligence” that they bring to other people, which then empowers them. Moving on, I have a lot of interests, as meeting new people who share different views and paths really brings on this motivation, which is one of my strengths as I am a person who does not give up, whatever it takes to reach my goals. I can stay confident, and I think I can do anything.
I guess the results really show who I am; apparently I am classified as intrapersonal twice and lastly, logical and mathematical. Well, let’s go over this now. As an intrapersonal, which is someone who is able to differentiate between their own emotions, you create precise mental representations of yourself and use these representations to guide your life decisions. Furthermore, I am able to identify and comprehend the motives and emotions of others. Lastly, I value relationships that are unbreakable. Hmm, I really feel like these results represent me perfectly, as that is just how my personality is. I tend to find it easy to see how someone is feeling and their mood, and I can really tell my own emotions, using that to guide me through life easily. I believe that this intelligence type really goes hand in hand with my strengths, as I am someone who strives to control my own emotions, leading me to never give up. And seeing other people who share different strengths really allowed me to see and respect those strengths as well. Well, that it.
I love the way you dissected this essay and invited your voice onto this writing because as the reader I was able to catch an illustration of who are and your views on intelligence. With your active voice, it accommodates to that “blog-like & hot take feel that makes it more motivating to read further. Additionally, your intrapersonal and mathematic intellect became visible throughout the course of this writing, so it makes it clear that this test is accurate.
I really enjoyed reading your take on the essay and definition of intelligence. I think what made it very powerful were the questions you raised because it made me think even deeper into the topic and question. In the first part, you express a very motivated character and I think the test was accurate for you. we actually both had intrapersonal and logical/mathematical as our top ranks.
This was a really great read and even motivational which is especially prevalent towards the end of the first paragraph, in which you mention that you aren’t the type of person to give up and will do whatever it takes to reach your goals. This is something can in some areas I can also relate to but in others not so much because for me one of my lower scores was mathematical and it is shown because I tend to struggle in subjects like that, and if we had the same class I’m sure you would notice since you said that you can identify the emotions of others, which though I did score high on intrapersonal I don’t think I can really tell others emotions and easily identify them as you do.
Your response to Asimov’s essay and the intelligence quiz really moved me! When you described yourself to be someone who doesn’t give up and stays confident it really brought me to re-evaluate myself. I’m also someone who doesn’t give up easily but sometimes my confidence and morals can waver. Your take on this piece really strengthened my morals and showed me that I shouldn’t allow myself to waver in certain situations as much, as it can cause future regrets.
I like that you bring up the question of whether “we all grow up in the same place?” I think that everyone is born with an innate potential for intelligence. However, what differentiates one from another? Well, as you said, it’s the environment. Not all people come from the same background, culture, and whatnot. Everyone has a varying environment, thus varying opportunities that they would receive. This leads to differences in nurturing or shaping their innate potential of intelligence.