Genius get-together?
Question: Why don't a bunch of you genius types get together and solve the world's problems? I think if the world would send genius representatives to a genius conference that many of the world's problems could be solved. Conrad Strayer, Cincinnati, Ohio
Answer: Conrad, I have heard this question several times. Many years ago, I used to think the same thing. I have often thought of all the genius personalities who were alive in the year 1800 and the remarkable things that were achieved by them. The reality is that, in today's culture, genius is neither respected nor appreciated. If a group of true genius level people were organized to help solve the world's problems, who would accept the results of that group? If I had a solution to a major specific problem, how would I get that information to anyone in a position to do anything about it? And even if I did reach the people in authority, they would not accept my solution. On a worldwide basis, politics has permeated our society. If someone tried to organize a group that only contained people of genius level, some legal and/or politically correct group would try to sue saying that dumb people had been left out of the group. I could reply that dumb and stupid people have their own group. They are called politicians. But it wouldn't accomplish anything so I won't. To answer your question, the reason that a genius group doesn't form and try to help with world problems is because no one would accept the solutions of the genius group. It simply is not practical. And this group of people are intelligent enough to know it would not work.
posted by Scot Andrews at 1:06 PM
4 Comments:
Hi. I find it hard to believe that if a group of geniuses got together and came up with some solutions or advice for world problems that no one would listen. I think I would. I think many people would. Why do you say that no one would pay attention? John Malawenski, Indianapolis, Indiana
Hi John. This is Scot. I will respond to your comment amd question in this comment space.
I remember an event that will explain why I don't think people would listen if a group of genius level people got together and made suggestions. I was working at a university in the summer and fall of 1999. Talk of Y2K began. By the end of September, I had concluded that nothing would come of it. People began to ask me my opinion and I told them not to worry -- that nothing bad would happen. There was a secretary in the office who was very concerned. People used to joke around with her because she was buying food by the case. She had put cases of soup and tuna fish under her beds and under her sofa. Once, she asked me point blank what I thought would happen on January 1, 2000. I responded by saying "nothing." She asked me what I based that upon. I told her common sense and my conclusions from what I had read and been told. She said that her pastor at church had told the congregation that everything would shut down. And, she added, he based that conclusion upon the Bible. I told her that I was sure her minister's intentions were good but that I thought he was misinterpreting the Scriptures. She asked me what would happen to me and my reputation if everything shut down on Jan. 1st. I told her I would be embarrassed and my reputation for being right would certainly suffer. I asked her what would happen to her minister's reputation if nothing bad happened on Jan. 1. She looked surprised. I told her that he would not be embarrassed and his reputation would not suffer. There was even a neighborhood family who moved way out into the country because of Y2K. They wanted a garden, chickens, cows and hogs. Their minister had told them that the grocery stores would shut down because of Y2K. The banks would close. The gas stations would close. I told them that none of that would happen. But they actually moved because of the fear for what they thought was going to happen. A few days before Jan. 1st, my wife and I took a vacation to the beach. We came back on Jan. 3rd. We had a wonderful trip and a nice time at the uncrowded beach. When I returned to the university, the secretary in the office had a sheepish look on her face. People had been kidding her about all her canned food and bottled water. I could have said "I told you so" but I didn't. I just smiled at her.
But I hope you understand, John, just because I say something does not mean that people will listen. I do have a reputation for being right. But that does not matter. If all the most intelligent people in the world got together and said, "Here is a good solution," people would ignore it. That may be one reason intelligent people don't go into politics. They would have a tough time getting elected anyway. They tend to tell the truth. That is not something politicians can do with any degree of regularity.
What you suggest, John, and what you wonder about is one of those things that sounds good on paper but, in reality, simply wouldn't work.
Once again, you have explained it perfectly. I agree with you that no one would listen to the conclusions of a genius group. That is the way of the world.
I'm not sure that I agree with Sandy and Dr. Andrews. If the genius group had real credibility, then I think that people would listen. The example of Y2K is convincing. However, would all people be that stubborn? Or that stupid?
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