Stupid Smart People

Now, before you jump to any preconceived notions, I am not making fun of anyone or besmirching anyone person in particular. This article largely reflects some lunchtime conversations with a couple of associates. I personally feel that there are a lot of smart stupid people as well as stupid smart people. In my view, I think anyone and everyone does things they themselves find brilliant, and less so at other times. So, with that said here are some discussion points.

A stupid person is satisfied with often outdated, tried and proven methods of behaving stupidly. However, for a smart person that's just inappropriate. No, when one is intent on acting in a stupid manner, that person wants to do it in the wisest way possible. The result is stupidity taken to new altitudes (or depths - depending on how you see it).

On the positive side: intelligent people are capable of thinking through their problems far more effectively than less intelligent people, are likely to be more practical in their judgments and are more likely to reach a more viable solution. It is not as simple as that, as a measure of common sense is needed as well - and is often a suitable replacement for book- smarts. But, I general, the wiser you are, the more flexible you are, and the better-equipped to cope with life's sudden twists and turns.

It is generally difficult to get an intelligent smart person aimlessly do a truly mundane job. And a bright person doing a stupid job actually makes that person stupid. Smart people normally enjoy working with the best instruments and technologies and they like to do something that is intellectually stimulating.

A person should be humble enough to know there is always more to learn. You can invariably find others who are more powerful, or better informed, or wiser. Being humble always allows one to learn from everyone, everything and every experience. Everybody sees the world from different perspectives at times. This open mindedness allows for one's vision of life to develop. All smart people do stupid things. Any sensible savvy individual should throw the rules if the rules are stupid.

Smart people will perfunctorily dispose of stupid rules. Smart people break stupid rules. When smart people do stupid things, it's similar to a lack of wisdom, and the stupid things could be headed off if only they used some of their smarts in a different way. It's often just a failure to see the forest for the trees. Sometimes it's forgetting that forests are made of trees. Well, I thought I'd be smart, and stop while I'm ahead.