COMensarations
Saturday, March 18, 2006
A Strange Disability
Intelligence as a disability? C’mon!
When I first heard some psychologist or similar claim that intelligence was a disability, I thought it was another example of something taken way too far. But when I looked back on my experiences, I could see some arguments to support it.
Now, I suppose this could be a touchy subject for a Mensa-related website. It sounds like so much whining. I suppose wealth is a disability, too? Someone chimes in. Or talent? Maybe Renoir was handicapped? Mozart certainly was, right? Well, especially in our society, where deficits are elevated, equalization celebrated, this might not be such a crazy idea.
My father used to tell me about an SF story he read as a child in the 50’s, where intelligent and talented people were “equalized” by putting a device in their ear that buzzed all the time. (Apparently this is not a new idea, either.)
When I was in public school, it was not a crime to have special classes for the gifted. It was a godsend. I was accidentally placed in the wrong class at the beginning of one year, and I saw the reason it was so - I very quickly lost my focus and attention from the slow pace, the endless going over of the subject matter. It’s not to say that the other class members and I didn’t get along, it’s just that math was a very different subject for me than for them.
I know someone who has always been told by her family that she’s not that intelligent. People do that. My parents are very intelligent, but they did that to me too. There are various reasons. Theirs, as far as I can tell, was narcissism. There is apparently a lot of that afoot, so it may be a common reason. Anyway, she plowed her way through a top school with excellent grades, in spite of the fact that she can barely see. She’s legally blind, and then some. When I met her, the first thing I noticed was that her adaptations were a clear sign of her abilities. She takes whatever sensory input she gets, and synthesizes it to make up for what she’s missing. She often “sees” more than I do. She went to graduate school, in human services, and that’s where the trouble began. It was reputed to be an excellent school, but the proof is always in the pudding. Classes were not living up to the expectation, and she was required to intern as well, which was also a dud. Until her most recent one. I believe that this instructor was also intelligent, and probably had the same shaming as a child for her talents. Women especially did, years ago. In any case, my fiancee kept coming home worn out and depressed, and neither of us could really figure out what was wrong. It was not until things got a lot worse that I realized that one of the problems was clearly that she was very intelligent, and an affront to her instructor. Jealousy! Or, as they say in psychology, Narcissistic Envy. Another Golden Child to compete with her instructor. And with the power, she could use other techniques to put the “buzz in her ear.” Criticism. Shame. Crazymaking. It turns out the school tacitly seems to support that view, and I believe may regularly call out students who are “too smart for their own good” for punishment. I guess there are two ways to rise to the top - to excel, or to push everybody else down. And so it goes. In that kind of environment, intelligence is a handicap, something to be ashamed of, and something to not talk too loudly about in public. Good God.
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TO: Dave Maddox
RE: Not Only In School“I guess there are two ways to rise to the top - to excel, or to push everybody else down. And so it goes. In that kind of environment, intelligence is a handicap, something to be ashamed of, and something to not talk too loudly about in public.”—Dave Maddox
All too often have I come across the people who suppress others because of their own paranoia of someone doing better than they. Scientologists refer to them as ‘suppressives’. They are not very nice people. Indeed, thinking back on it, I get the distinct impression that one battalion commander, not to forget his battalion executive officer, ruined my military career because of what you are describing above.
I’m certain that it is true in schools as well, especially the alleged institutions of ‘higher learning’, as politically correct as they have become over the last two decades. The bright ones with the better grasp of reality must be crushed before they multiply.
Regards,
Chuck(le)
on 03/20 at 10:08 AM -
The fact that your fiancee is studying in human services might explain quite a bit, too. No, in human services fields intelligence matters less than feelings and whether you can “relate to ordinary people” and the stereotype is that intelligent people can not, as if we don’t have feelings, too. Also, because of her intelligence, your fiancee has probably made adapting to her handicap look easy, which means her instructors can’t pat themselves on the back for “making allowances” and “helping” her.
Stereotypes are a huge problem, especially for the bright. The movie, “Legally Blond,” has more truth to it than most people realize. It parallels the stories of any number of Mensans I know, both men and women. (Women tend to be stereotyped as “not bright” because they’re a) women or b) pretty. Men tend to be stereotyped that way because a) they have a minor academic problem, like poor handwriting, b) little boys tend to act up more when they’re bored, and c) many of them are more interested in physical activities like sports, rather than “brainy” stuff like chess.)
What I find fascinating is that the stereotypes remain, even with all the positive bright characters on TV and in the movies.
on 03/21 at 10:51 AM -
I’m surprised at the tone this discussion is taking. We’ve worked for so long to cast off stereotypes about those of us who are highly intelligent. To show our ability to be integral members of all parts of society.
Unfortunately the comments I’ve read seem to portray an elite class which laments over not being recognized for their superior intelligence and alternately wants to treated fairly. Is it possible that some of the issue originates from our attitudes when we enter a scenario which includes predominantly ‘ordinary’ people?
Hopefully in our haste to be sympathetic to each others’ needs we are not becoming exclusionary. After all our measurement of intelligence is but one of many and is not a conclusive indication of superiority. Like all aspects of this world it is balance which is the true measure of life. Measured intelligence appears to be but one cornerstone.
This is not to say I disagree with the perception that life can be difficult when attempting to fully apply our intelligence in mediocre surroundings. Rather I have to wonder how others who measure themselves by a different scale of equal validity will speak of us if we take this path. When we begin to call ourselves golden children I believe we are assuring our devaluation in society.
Al.
on 12/27 at 10:27 PM -
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