Big Think

dennis ilic on May 19, 2008, 10:23 PM

I don’t know. I would have to think about it.

pokój! on May 19, 2008, 10:29 PM

I have thought about it :)

ow…

Using the mind can only strengthen it. Its when the mind uses you that problems arise…

dennis ilic on May 19, 2008, 10:33 PM

Excellent point.
But if a mind is already super strong, why continue to strengthen at the expense of other weaker neglected aspects of a life?

sciencesaves on May 19, 2008, 11:02 PM

This sure is a moebius strip-type question, HZ. I do believe we are defined by our intellect, for better or for worse.

I think the environment we live and function in has a lot to do with it, but thinking less sounds like a recipe for personal disaster, for the most part.

Denys Artasevych on May 19, 2008, 11:04 PM

I think people who think the least are the happiest people in the world. ignorance is bliss but only if you are ignorant.

To some of us analisis, logic, reason, and thought just come naturally as curiosity. So in a way it brings its own brand of enjoyment with it.

I dont think a person can be defined by any one thing, including intelect. but i do think that it is the most important atribute.

sciencesaves on May 19, 2008, 11:05 PM

HZ, Are you saying true intellect comes from being well-rounded in all aspects of life, not just the deep-thinking aspects?

Bryan Cridlebaugh on May 19, 2008, 11:22 PM

to each his own

pokój! on May 19, 2008, 11:30 PM

hz:
“But if a mind is already super strong, why continue to strengthen at the expense of other weaker neglected aspects of a life?”

What could thinking possibly neglect? Unless we aren’t thinking about the right things, in which case do you consider guided thought control different from ‘thinking’? Or would that just fit into your description of a “super strong mind”?

Jeff Delano on May 19, 2008, 11:34 PM

By being a better person do you mean you are personally better, or that people will think you are better?

If people were to look at me better because I think less I still would over think things, because I’m not here to care about other peoples judgement. I personally think that being an intellectual is great for me, I try to maximize my minds brain power and my bodys physical power as much as I can. (By that I mean working out, and gaining knowledge)

dennis ilic on May 20, 2008, 1:36 PM

s44, it seems like you still separate intellect from other human traits and place it at the top. I was thinking of most of us here on big think when I asked the question, but I particularly was thinking of you. Take that as a complement and a warning. (I know, physican heal thyself).

ss, I guess I’m saying being well rounded is better than being super intellectual.
I tend to think because we are good at thinking we tend to over develope that in ourselves, at the cost of other things in our lives such as interaction with the simpler things in life.

BC, you are not, in my opion, in this category. You are not an over thinker. Take that as a compliment.

pokoj, “what could thinking possibly neglect”, feeling and being present. I think guided thinking would fit more into a meditative type of thinking, a way to think less, and not be a part of the over analysing. I’m not sure what thinking about the right things are. My yard stick for measuring that would be: are my thoughts about my gain, or someone else’s benefit.

JD, I am saying you are personally better, which would me you are better for the world, whether the world knows it or not. You mentioned your mind’s brain power and your body’s physical power, but you neglected to mention, (and I only point this out because it is coming from you), strengthening your spiritual compassion or tolerance.

I picture it kind of like my avatar, I am made of collection of circles, or spheres, one is intellect, and others could be emotions, tolerance, phsyical health, and so on. My intellect, for whatever reasons, is naturally better than the others. If I continue to put time and attention into that area it just continues to get larger faster. I eventually became unbalanced.
I feed my intellect because it is easy to do, and I am already good at it. It is something I can use to hold me above the common man. But now I believe balance, and practicing things that don’t come naturally to me, will be more beneficial in the end. I have already experienced my ablity to socialize with more people. And I believe being able to interact with more people, instead of separating myself from other people, is better for the world, and humanity. If everyone were more balanced, everyone could find a common ground as to communicate.

ps. I only mention reducing intellect because this is the big think. This is an area where most of us are already well developed. Many people, us not included, need to invest time and attention into their intellect to become more balanced.

pokój! on May 20, 2008, 3:33 PM

“feeling and being present. I think guided thinking would fit more into a meditative type of thinking, a way to think less, and not be a part of the over analysing.”

Nice… yes that is all true… we all need a Yoda strapped to our back…

“I’m not sure what thinking about the right things are. My yard stick for measuring that would be: are my thoughts about my gain, or someone else’s benefit.”

Thats a good standard to go by… as long as you don’t neglect yourself in helping others, because that is detrimental to all in the long run…

dennis ilic on May 20, 2008, 11:10 PM

“as long as you don’t neglect yourself in helping others, because that is detrimental to all in the long run…”, another excellent point.

‘Yoda’ might be strapped to our backs.