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Helen Kenney Poore's avatar

I know people who have many degrees and yet don't have enough common sense to come in out of the rain. Most anyone can learn, it basically takes a good memory, but not everyone has the ability to comprehend and break down some of life's most basic survival skills. Cognitive thinking seems rare. That's my take on being smart.

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Trevy Thomas's avatar

And it's a very smart take! Thank you😊

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SusanA's avatar

I think that curiosity is a prime factor in learning. You need to have a healthy need to know "why" or "how" to increase your knowledge.

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Trevy Thomas's avatar

Yes! Excellent point. Curiosity is the nudge that leads us to knowledge. Thanks, Susan.

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Susan J Tweit's avatar

"Today my definition of smartness is the ability and inclination for self-examination. We could all use some of that. It serves us individually and as a society and that’s a good use of your mortal days." I love this: self-examination is such an underrated quality. And I agree, we can use more of it individually and as a culture. Thanks for giving me so much to think about, Trevy!

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Trevy Thomas's avatar

Thanks, Susan. You are one of my smart people!

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Robin Daumit's avatar

It's odd to me that several people can go out into the world having left the same house, same family and often have different perspectives on how they view the world, and operate in it. Could it be that we are somehow born with a propensity to see life, just as we see it?

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Trevy Thomas's avatar

That's a good observation and I think you are right. We are who we are. Thanks for sharing this!

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