Table of Contents
New version
Introduction
“The way I think is not like others.” (Ο τρόπος που σκέφτομαι δεν είναι όπως οι άλλοι.) This seemingly simple statement holds deeper meaning that often goes unnoticed. Let’s consider the English language for a moment. I just used the word “phrase,” which, for many, is synonymous with “sentence.” However, in English, these words have distinct meanings. While some languages lack such differentiation, leading to the interchangeability of these terms, it highlights two different ways of thinking. Neither approach is inherently correct or incorrect; they merely reflect differing opinions. Just because someone asserts a certain way is right doesn’t make it so. Conversely, being wrong is not always an accurate assessment, and this is often overlooked.
IQ Tests: Unraveling the Complexities
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is often considered highly important by some, as it purports to measure one’s intelligence accurately. However, an IQ score does not truly reflect a person’s intelligence. Instead, it represents various variables distilled into a numerical value, which we deem significant. In a recent retest of my own IQ by Mensa, the score turned out to be one of the highest they had recorded in recent years. Yet, I find myself indifferent towards this number. IQ tests, like school exams, are momentary assessments that fail to capture the long-term trajectory of one’s abilities. Although school exams have an advantage—they identify strengths—IQ tests lack this crucial feature. Schools were originally designed to provide clarity regarding an individual’s strengths and weaknesses, preparing them for their future. However, modern education has deviated from this purpose, morphing into a mere time-filling obligation that deprives young people of the joys of youth.
The Missing Link: Social Interactivity
The inadequacy of current IQ tests lies in their failure to account for social interactivity, which is an integral aspect of intelligence. I dedicate this blog post to my half-sister, whose IQ test scores show only a minimal difference compared to mine. However, when considering social interactivity, she would undoubtedly exhibit a far higher IQ. My half-sister, who is blind, has been my inspiration ever since I first met her. Her profound quotes, which I have included in this blog post, have also adorned my Twitter account. But why?
“You can only be the way you are.” (“Μπορείς να είσαι μόνο αυτός που είσαι.”)
These are the words of my half-sister. Although we communicate primarily in Russian, her words resonate just as strongly when translated into English and Greek. Her wisdom transcends language barriers and touches the core of human existence.
Living Life with Autism: A Different Perspective
My half-sister has autism. Autism is not a disability; it is simply a different way of thinking. Autism is not a curse, nor is it a blessing—it is merely a unique perspective. The perception that autism hinders one’s ability to live a fulfilling life is flawed. While certain challenges exist, they are not insurmountable. Autism bestows upon individuals extraordinary capabilities, such as remarkable attention to detail, heightened sensitivity, and unparalleled dedication. We need to understand and appreciate these strengths, rather than focus solely on the difficulties faced by those on the autism spectrum. It is through embracing these differences that we can unlock the true potential of individuals with autism.
Thinking Differently: Embracing Diversity
Diversity of thought is vital for progress and innovation. When we surround ourselves with people who think just like us, we limit our growth and restrict our perspectives. By embracing different ways of thinking, we open ourselves up to new ideas, fresh insights, and transformative change. The Greek phrase “ομοίωμα” (omoioma), meaning “similarity” or “resemblance,” can be juxtaposed with “ποικιλία” (poikilia), meaning “diversity” or “variety.” While omoioma may provide comfort and familiarity, it is poikilia that offers enrichment and advancement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, intelligence is not solely measured by IQ tests, nor is it defined by conformity to a singular way of thinking. Embracing diverse perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities like autism, enriches our society and propels us forward. We must celebrate and nurture different ways of thinking, as they hold the key to innovation, progress, and the betterment of humankind. Let us embrace the Greek phrase “Το πραγματικό μέτρο της ευφυίας είναι η ικανότητα να αποδεχθούμε τις διαφορές” (To pragmatikó métro tis evfyías eínai i ikanótita na apodechthoúme tis diaforés): “The true measure of intelligence is the ability to embrace differences.”
Old version (We Just Think Differently)
Foreword
This blog post contains several Greek phrases, they will however all be followed by translations. All phrases were translated from Russian to English and then to Greek by native-translators, and may be translated wrongly, or have lost meaning.
There was no true need for Greek translations, but it felt to me more personal as my half-sister does not speak Russian, let alone English in her normal daily life, but actually speaks Greek. Comments have been disabled for this blog post.
Αυτή η ανάρτηση του μπλογκ είναι αφιερωμένη στην Ελληνίδα ετεροθαλή αδελφή μου.
(This blog post is dedicated to my Greek half-sister.)
We just think differently
“The way I way I think is not like others.”, it seems an easy phrase, yet most are not even aware of it…
Just take a look at the English language, just right now I used the word “phrase”, to many that word has the same meaning as the word “sentence”.
At the English language they however do not mean the same, yet, as many other languages do not have the difference in meanings of these words, the words have become interchangable.
Termology states one thing, yet we do not another, 2 different ways of thinking, and at the same time neither are correct or incorrect, just a difference of opinion.
Because 1 says something is right a certain way, does not mean that it is right, yet, being wrong is not accurate either, and that is too often unknown.
IQ, Intelligence Quotient, it is somehow a very important thing, your IQ should tell exactly how smart you are, in the opinion of some people…
The thing is, it does not state how smart someone actually is, it rather states many variables, that is put to a number, and that number we see as important, while the number is effectively unimportant.
Just recently I had my own IQ retested by Mensa and the number was apparently one of the highest they have recorded in recent years, and I could care less about it…
As it is a number, a number that says nothing, as those tests are taken at a moment, and like everything that is only done at a moment, show nothing about long time difference, meaning IQ tests are just as ineffective as those tests at school.
However, the tests at school have 1 big important feature that IQ tests do not have, they will show where your strengths are, the exact reason why there are schools, to show you what you could do at the future.
Schools or better said education was thought to give clarity to those who experience it what their strength and weaknesses are and therefore giving you the best possible preparation for the rest of your life.
Nowadays it is no longer what schools and education in general are about, instead they have become the places where children and young persons spend whole days, instead of actually living their lives…
A good education, like actually still happens in some cases, could have a child prepared for the rest of their life when they are only 14 years old, instead people nowadays often go to school until they are between 18 and 30…
Education has become a form of time filler, taking away the chance of the second important part of being young, fun…
That last term, “Fun”, that is actually where all current approved IQ tests fail at, the inclusion of social interactivity in these tests, which is in fact also part of intelligence.
I write this blog post in dedication of my half-sister, as her IQ test scores shows only a minimal difference with my IQ test scores, and when you could count in social interactivity, she would have a far and far higher IQ.
My younger half-sister has been my inspiration ever since I know her, and that is because of the quotes that I am summming up at these blog post…
However, her quotes are not only here, they have been at my Twitter account all this time as well.
But you may ask why…
“Ο μόνος που μπορείς να είσαι είναι ο εαυτός σου.”(You can only be the way you are.)
My (Greek) half-sister is blind, and therefore can not write her own words down.
We speak almost daily, and while we may speak Russian, her words still resonate the same when having them translated to English, the importance of being just yourself, and nothing more.
A girl like her is close to impossible to get a full righteous IQ score of, as many of the assignments are not possible to be done when you are blind, that while a deaf person could…
IQ tests are a way of discrimination, as someone does not have a lower IQ because of being blind, and while they try and make up by balancing it out, the score also becomes massively inaccurate, therefore, the IQ tests do not work for everyone, and have actually a proven form of being ineffective, making them not right ways to test someone’s IQ in the first place…
Yet, it goes on and on…
As example, someone’s IQ will increase or even decrease during life, as it is not a set number, but instead a variable, and will continuously change…
To explain it easy, you could be tested today with an IQ of 170, tomorrow with an IQ of 180, the day after with 90, and none would be incorrect.
The examples may have huge differences and therefore seem like a mistake, but it is not, as someone could experience any sort of brain damage, which in effect could decrease the IQ…
However, at daily life most will learn things, whether it is at school or sitting at home watching television, every moment you see something, you think something, you remember something, and quite many of those things that you could remember actually have an effect at the current approved IQ tests…
Or even just as simple as getting the test in a language you do not master fully, like I experienced myself when I was tested by Mensa Germany, they gave me a German test and didn’t do anything at my request of wanting a language I actually do master…
I had to guess some things, and IQ is not about guessing, it should be a fixed point of measurement according to organizations like Mensa…
If it really was a set nummber however, then my quite massive increase when doing the same tests again at Russia with a language I do understand should not be possible…
And yet, even Mensa itself, the organization that so proudly speaks about being only the top 2% most intelligent people of the world, show that IQ tests say nothing at all…
As they are so intelligent, their website is set up by themselves, is written by themselves, and therefore should show their intelligence, correct?
People want to however not truly answer that, as a no would already make my point about IQ tests not working, as if they can not even set up their own website…
So let me just go on with just saying that the answer is yes…
Well, then I need only 1 part of their webpage…
What does “Mensa” mean?
The word “Mensa” means “table” in Latin. Mensa is a round-table society, where race, color, creed, national origin, age, politics, educational or social background are irrelevant.
Source: https://www.mensa.org/about-us#what-does-mensa-mean
The million dollar question is… “Is that correct?”
The answer sadly is: “Possibly.”
It is nitpicking, but “Mēnsa” is Table in Latin, notice that thingy on the “E”, I do not know the name of it myself, but that is a form of “Assimilation”.
You see that at more languages, like the Umlaut at the Germanic languages.(Though most often only still at German)
Assimilation at phonology basically means that the sound changes, but at linguistics, it is the full creation of a new letter.
Like “Ë” is not just “E”, but instead has “E with umlaut”, and like almost everytime something uses “with”, it is not 1 thing…
It is a trivial matter, yet it is exactly the point why IQ tests say nothing, as when they even make those errors with just their name, how do we trust their tests are correct?
IQ is not a simple set of skills, it is the intelligence quotient, a full score of intelligence, and this just proves it is limited, and intelligence is not limited…
It is like when you play a game of cards and set the rules to benefit yourself, then it is called cheating, and when I look at this, the same thing happens, as it does not test everything…
“Η ομορφιά είναι στην καρδιά κάποιου, όχι στην εμφάνισή του.”(Beauty is in someone’s heart, not in someone’s looks.)
Intelligence is seen as too important, and IQ tests even more.
The most intelligent people named are names of the past, most (or even all) of them never being tested for their IQ at all.
And their IQ tests would probably actually end up being low, very low…
They all have something you see at something people call a disability, you see it at most forms of Autism, and that is a different way of thinking.
In fact, all of them are named to be probably Autistic and more recent names are in fact almost all diagnosed with Autism…
As I said, Autism is a different way of thinking, in a way it is a more advanced way of thinking, as most people with Autism are focussed at 1 subject…
IQ has eventually nothing to do with it, as it is not being more intelligent, it is about the skills of being fully focussed at 1 thing and not thinking the same as the general human.
And with Autism that equals indeed often having more difficulties at social skills…
Yet, there is not 1 connection between IQ tests and Autism, as huge numbers of Autistic people have low IQ scores and still do some of the most amazing things, and even invent new unknown things.
Still, we call all those who invent new things intelligent…
So, how does a test of intelligence not notice that? Think about that…
Could that mean that IQ tests are incomplete or even more to the point, useless because they are not accurate at all?
We use the saying that looks are less important to personality for how we are as humans, and in examples of love…
Yet, it should be used for intelligence just as well.
As it is not about how intelligent you are, but what you do with it, or even better said, what you accomplish with it.
In the end it all ends up being about 1 thing:
“Μπορείς να είσαι μόνο ο εαυτός σου.”(You can only be yourself.)
Those with high IQ shows they are not intelligent, especially those at Mensa, as they take intelligence as bigger importance than being themselves.
That is where true intelligence shows, the ability to be yourself and not having a need to be part of some group.
The most intelligent people know that teamwork makes the best things happen, but not teamwork with only people like you, but especially those that are differently to you.
Mensa is an organisation that basically excludes those differences, and defy intelligence right at that moment already, so they are not as highly intelligent as they suppose…
And the IQ tests themselves are proof of that…
(If Mensa really is made up of those top 2% of intelligent and are about intelligent people, why do people need to pay to join?
Why do the IQ tests cost money?
Why are people below the age of 16 not allowed to join?
Why do all of their websites look so differently?
Questions that without the need of answering already show actual lack of intelligence…)
My half-sister is blind, and she is my inspiration.
She is not my inspiration for any sort of score, but for how she is.
In my darkest days, she is my glimmer of hope, with a smile always full of happiness.
Some people call her disabled, as she has both physical as mental problems, but she is not.
She is my inspiration because she is everything I try to be, and even I am not always successful at.
Every day she is positive, never any exclusion, even when rain falls down heavily, she thinks of the fact plants have benefits of rain.
She can not see, but she sees the world brighter than anyone I know.
She can not walk, but moves forward in life more steadily than a lot of others.
I dedicate this blog post to her, as she shows the thing that shows more intelligence than anyone with those high IQ scores, the ability to live.
Thinking differently is the way of intelligence and in the end, those people include all those with the highest IQs, those people that are high placed in society, and just thought to be more than others… They all think the same, they need to force life to be their way…
However the most intelligent people, they are intelligent enough to live life…
Ζήσε το σήμερα, γιατί το σήμερα δε θα ξανάρθει.(Enjoy life today, as today will never come again.”
Όλες οι φράσεις είναι της ετεροθαλούς αδελφής μου στην Ελλάδα. Θα την αγαπώ πάντα.
