In the section detailing the “Trouble with Geniuses,” Gladwell suggests that high IQs, or intelligence as we know it, don’t necessarily lead to success. Such is the case for Christopher Langan, with an IQ of 195 (Einstein’s was 150), who now resides in a farm in Missouri with his wife. The reason is the intelligence necessary for acclaimed, successful geniuses: practical intelligence, the art of getting what one wants in the world. Gladwell then explains the reason as explicated in various case studies: the genius child’s upbringing, usually closely correlated with his or her socioeconomic situation. A child raised in a middle-class home grows up learning how to speak to authority figures and question adults. They understand that authority figures exist to guide and help them, and thus utilize that guidance for their own good. For example, one of the case studies goes to the doctors with his mother, and his mother tells him to ask the doctor any questions if he has any. The boy then asks the doctor after his examination about some bumps under his arms, inquiring what they are and asking the doctor to take a look. On the other hand, children raised in a poor home learn to fend for themselves and never ask for anything from their superiors. The most prominent example is Christopher Langan, raised in a family of 5 children and an abusive father. In return, Christopher grows up resenting the authority figure, consequently failing to gain any practical intelligence.
I just wrote up a fucking book report (I couldn’t help myself, that section was too bloody interesting) because I have to sort out what went through my head as I read this. Although I can’t really say I am from a low-income family, I was raised with the mentality of taking what I can get and taking care of myself. All through my adolescence, I was often on my own, and though I never begrudge that, I learned that it not only made me prone to homealoneness, but also resistant to receiving assistance. How do I know this? I’m deathly afraid of Korean department stores because of the clothing store workers who loom over my shoulder, saying in their saccharine voices, “Do you need some help?” When the man at the restaurant gives me the wrong order, I say nothing and eat what I’m given—this one especially, since I noticed that my parents enabled this behaviour by not doing anything as well. And I’m the kid who goes to the doctor with all these problems, but bounces out as soon as the examination if over. I dislike asking my teachers for anything—I usually dislike asking anyone for anything. I can’t say if it’s necessarily a bad thing or not since I’m not really an extreme case (I don’t even know if I’m a case at all) in this study, but I must be extremely interested in child development psychology or something. Now, I analyze all my cousins’ actions and speculate just how they were raised… it’s kind of fascinating yeah? Bottom line is, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS BOOK.
Moving on, I started off by telling the story of father daughter bonding time because I intended to write this entry detailing my sentiments on coming back to Korea for so long. Since I’ve exhausted a lot of my energy gushing about the new revelations I had, I’ll just say what Korea has done for me in a nutshell.
-I love this city life. It’s invigorating. There are so many things to do. I’m rarely that bored. (Sometimes, I am)
-I love the place I’m staying… the bit more country-like city of Deokso placed so nicely next to the river.
-Korea, though, still is not the country for me. It has a very distinct shallowness you can only experience after actually staying here for a while.
-I love the service in Korea, but not the every day people on the streets. They’re not as friendly and opening as the people back at home.
-I highly dislike the girls in Korea. Enough said.
-I mildly dislike the men in Korea. More specifically, the “men.”
-I really really enjoy my students! Or at least, one of them. I don’t know if I’m allowed to have favorites but I do. XD
-I also really like my cousins! It does help that I haven’t seen my little vixen from hell yet.
-Casually sipping beers with dad at a restaurant while my mom laughs at my asian glow... priceless.
-I also really like the culture. I actually love traditional Korean music. Not so much the recent Wonder Girls, SNSD shit that play NONSTOP here.
-I miss home… a nice picture message from my sister with snowflake made me actually incredibly nostalgic.
Moving on, I got new shoes today, and usually, I don’t share news like this but I have to say, these make me feel very happy. They’re not like any shoes I’ve owned before but they were just calling to me.
Otherwise..... Korea's fine, I'm fine, so I guess I'll leave this blog on a happy note for once. Hardy har har.
lmaonade.
