Krisha Prasai
Delving into the concept of ‘Intelligence’ may not be a piece of cake for some, as it is often perceived as a lighthouse guiding one through the complexities of the world. Some argue that intelligence is akin to a brighter light, enhancing our understanding, while others suggest it transcends mere test scores or educational achievements. In my view, intelligence is the oxygen fueling our potential, enabling us to adapt and conquer the mountains each of us faces. We all have our own challenges to overcome, and intelligence is akin to oxygen—essential for realizing our purpose.
Reflecting on my own journey, for years, the only form of intelligence I knew was academic success. This perception was partly shaped by societal standards, which equate intelligence with academic prowess. Growing up in a joint family, I was always curious about education and joined school at a young age, subsequently skipping a grade due to academic aptitude. Consequently, I’ve consistently been the youngest student in my class. So, am I intelligent?
From society’s perspective, I may indeed be considered intelligent. But am I truly meeting the standards of intelligence? Who sets these standards? Isaac Asimov once questioned, “What is intelligence anyway?” Is education the sole measure of intelligence? Does the fact that Isaac Newton made groundbreaking discoveries and won a Nobel Prize make him more intelligent than the uncle who sells tea near my house? If Newton were to compete with a barber in haircutting, would he still be considered more intelligent? I doubt it. So, what truly defines intelligence?
The difficulty in defining intelligence is fascinating. For me, intelligence is the ability to convincingly present one’s actions as correct. Whether it’s a shopkeeper persuading me that every dress looks great on me, a beautician making me believe my haircut suits me perfectly, or a chef convincing me that their dish is a culinary masterpiece, it’s about the power of persuasion. Despite the potential disparity between reality and their claims, they succeed in convincing me, showcasing a form of intelligence.
Intelligence is contextual. Mithila Palkar, a renowned influencer, once shared a profound insight in a speech about her life struggles. She quoted Albert Einstein: “If you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” This quote underscores the folly of imposing uniform standards of intelligence. Intelligence lies in doing the best one can in their respective domain. We can’t excel in everything, but what matters is excelling in what we do best.
So, where do I stand on the spectrum of intelligence? I don’t have a definitive answer. What I do know is that I excel at living my life, a task unique to me. In terms of living my own life, I believe I am more intelligent than any other human to ever exist.
