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Asante
Omnicyclion prophet


Registered: 02/06/02
Posts: 87,647
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Were you a child genius?
#8588232 - 07/02/08 03:36 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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-------------------- Omnicyclion.org higher knowledge starts here
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DieCommie


Registered: 12/11/03
Posts: 29,258
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8588343 - 07/02/08 04:09 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I wonder what percentile demarks the difference between genius and above average?
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PhanTomCat
Teh Cat....



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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8589346 - 07/02/08 09:25 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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This is a weird way to have a poll.... Only because, once I found out what I was good at, I excelled in those related subject, and am now one of the "top" in my field.... Every other subject, I sucked at, and had/have no interest in.... 
>^;;^<
-------------------- I'll be your midnight French Fry.... "The most important things in life that are often ignored, are the things that one cannot see...." >^;;^<
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HagbardCeline
Student-Teacher-Student-Teacher



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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8589434 - 07/02/08 09:50 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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During the years after school, I started thinking that I wasn't as intelligent as I used to be. I didn't think about things the same way and stuff didn't come as easily to me anymore. Others shared with me the same type of feelings I had so I thought maybe it was normal. I believe I even wrote about this on here before.
It bothered me for a long time and I wondered if the drugs had taken their toll. After quite a bit of deliberation, I finally realized that things had just changed. The drugs most likely had some effect, especially on my concentration, but after I stopped pining about my degraded abilities, I recognized new ones.
I strongly believe in Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences and now think things just kind of shifted around a bit. My writing is so much better than it used to be. I actually found paper a few months ago that I wrote as a junior in high school that I just couldn't believe I wrote. It was garbage. If I hadn't known I would have guessed it was written by someone in Junior High.
Socially I became much more adept as well.
Perhaps it's just that you gain a bit a wisdom along the way that tempers your judgment and rational. Certainly their are biological changes that occur after adolescence such as the drop in hormone levels that play a part as well.
I am curious as to what others think about this and hope some of you will share your thoughts about how your (perceived) intelligence has changed over the years.
As to the original question though, I think genius is term that means a lot of different things to different people. I believe that limiting it to the classical definition of intelligence and ones ability to score well on a test is a disservice to those who don't, but who might in turn display abilities those "geniuses" couldn't dream of. Whatever the results of your poll turn out to be, consider that this site probably draw people who are above above average intelligence. Even more likely is that the visitors to this particular subforum are higher still.
-------------------- I keep it real because I think it is important that a highly esteemed individual such as myself keep it real lest they experience the dreaded spontaneous non-existance of no longer keeping it real. - Hagbard Celine
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Seuss
Error: divide byzero



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If I was a child genius, then I was a child genius in sheep's clothing. Before high school, I got really bad grades and was in the remedial classes for most subjects. During sixth grade, they tested me to see what the problem was. After a week of testing, they decided the problem was with the teachers, that I was bored, and moved me ahead into the advanced classes where I excelled. I've never considered myself a genius; above average certainly, but not genius.
-------------------- Just another spore in the wind.
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Newbie
User of semicolons.



Registered: 07/18/04
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8590839 - 07/03/08 08:28 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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They put me in the academically talented classes which were a lot of fun. They also allowed me to really use my creativity which was BOMB back in the day because normal classes were pretty linear. We'd build things (blocks and marbles ftw), we'd solve complex lateral thinking puzzles, go on field trips, hell she even started teaching us French. I don't remember a lick of it of course but those "AT" days will be missed. Out here I'm nobody special...
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Duaber
Stranger
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Newbie]
#8592050 - 07/03/08 03:47 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I was no doogie howser but I thought I did pretty well till high school then I only really excelled in math.
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Stein
Stranger


Registered: 07/02/03
Posts: 35,129
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8592058 - 07/03/08 03:50 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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On a short note, yes. Now I'm just stupid but it was worth it.
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ToTheSummit
peregrinus



Registered: 08/22/99
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8592716 - 07/03/08 06:55 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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The answers to the poll are funny. No one wants to admit to being below avearge! (I'm assuming the "far below average" response was an attempt at humor).
I was definately above average as a child. Reading novels very early. Studying Greek and Roman mythology in 1st grade. Lots of AP classes. Naturally gifted at science (and to some extent math, although I hated math). But in the second part of the poll I chose that I had stayed the same. On second thought this might not be correct. I think many people in my age bracket have extended their knowledge much futher then I did so I am probably not that far above average anymore for my age group. Thats what I get for blowing off college and choosing a career in construction. I still find that the sciences are almost second nature to me, but I have never pursued any higher education in that area so I've probably wasted my gift. Oh well.
-------------------- You invented the wheel....You push the motherfucker!!
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HagbardCeline
Student-Teacher-Student-Teacher



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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: ToTheSummit]
#8593152 - 07/03/08 09:49 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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What you said really hits to what I think it means to be a genius. I think many of the people here are definitely above average, but to be genius takes something special in my mind. Mostly work. Edison said it best about perspiration.
I didn't want to really go into this, even though I feel like I had something to say about it, because it's difficult to say and not sound arrogant to a lot of people. Just seems weird to me to have a discussion where you proclaim your intelligence and thoughts on the subject. Even worse on the internet.
I was in advanced classes and most things came pretty easily for me. Teachers and other adults were always telling me that I really had gift and that I should apply myself. In a subconscious way I believe I reveled in that underachiever label and even laughed about it.
From time to time I've had people tell me I was genius or ask me if I was and it's nice to hear, but it's not true. I like to believe I could have been if I had applied myself and not just used my ability to get by the easiest way possible. Ultimately I never did anything of merit. To me that it a hallmark of a genius. That you not only had the ability, but the drive (and everything that goes along with it) to use it fully.
My guess is that it where most of us fall. You don't think it as much in the area of intelligence (in the classic sense), but consider that athletic ability is a form of intelligence and think of all those "could have been" stars who squandered their gift. Because sports programs are so widely implemented and watched, those type of people are frequently seen. There is no counterpart to evaluate people based on their mental abilities, but their are at least as many washed-up as there are in sports.
And just as in sports, there is always the exception, the person who doesn't have to try or seemingly do anything and they still succeed. But for the most part, the people revered for their abilities worked their ass off to get that recognition.
-------------------- I keep it real because I think it is important that a highly esteemed individual such as myself keep it real lest they experience the dreaded spontaneous non-existance of no longer keeping it real. - Hagbard Celine
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ToTheSummit
peregrinus



Registered: 08/22/99
Posts: 9,127
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Yeah Hagbard, what you say makes some sense to me.
I recently had a long, in-depth conversation with my Dad. He commented on how I was so naturally-gifted at so many things as a child. He actually said I was a "weird" kid because when I would get restless (as kids are prone to do) he would just tell me to go read a book. I would grab a textbook of some sort and disappear to my room, sometimes for hours on end. Then I would emerge and want to tell everyone about what I had just learned. I even set up "family lectures" where I would teach my (mostly uninterested) family about these fascinating things like astronomy, paleontology, electronics, photography, geology, etc. Yeah, I was definately not your normal child, and definately not average!
But the one thing everyone can agree on is that I am seriously lacking in the motivational department. I prefer just to float along and let the tides of life sweep me where they may. I still have a keen interest (and probably an above average knowledge) in a lot of things that the general population doesn't seem to care about, but I do nothing of value with those interests. It is really nothing more then a hobby for me. I almost feel like if I were to devote my life to these things they would no longer facinate me, but instead they would become tedious. I think thats why I never pursued a career in the sciences...I was afraid to spoil something that I enjoyed by turning it into a job.
...or maybe I'm just lazy. Either way I don't qualify as a genius!
-------------------- You invented the wheel....You push the motherfucker!!
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automan
blasted chipmunk


Registered: 09/18/03
Posts: 8,272
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: ToTheSummit]
#8595986 - 07/04/08 08:52 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Quote:
ToTheSummit said: I almost feel like if I were to devote my life to these things they would no longer facinate me, but instead they would become tedious.
That's how I am about most things. When I get interested in a subject, I devour everything I can on it. Live it. Breath it. Explore everything I can about it. But once I am satisfied that I have learned most everything I can from it... I drop it and move on to the next thing. It's like... once I figure something out, it holds no interest for me anymore. That is why I left school and started working with my hands. There is something wholey satisfying about starting with nothing and because of your work and know how, you end up holding something in your hands that is complete. Now I own a business building and repairing stringed instruments. Now no matter how bad my day is, at the end of it I have a musical instrument that is whole again and it's whole because I fixed or built it.
Sometimes I still have to force myself to leave the house and go to work, though. I get into a subject here at the house and once I start reading, I can lose days at a stretch. I have some good motivation now. I have a 10 month old and another due in October. They are the reason I leave the house. It's like... I can't get out and do things for myself, but for them, I will do anything. They make me a better person and I am lucky enough to be totally in love with my wife who is a great mom and spends all her time either taking care of me or the boy.
Life is good right now. I'm glad that I can step back and notice how good life is.
-------------------- No, no, you're not thinking, you're just being logical. ~ Niels Bohr
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OddEye


Registered: 10/08/04
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: automan]
#8597319 - 07/05/08 12:38 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I got really good grade until I started failing cause I didn't care anymore. Was I just genius I'm not sure, maybe, very relative.
-------------------- I'm at the highest peak, still glad the meak is understandin' me Artillery, thoughts of killin' me is just a fantasy The man in me is ready for war, like Holyfield-Tyson IV
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Ferris
PsychedelicJourneyman



Registered: 03/12/06
Posts: 11,529
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: OddEye]
#8597528 - 07/05/08 02:04 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I fall far short of genius, but I took calculus when I was 12, and completed 13 AP classes (a record for my school at the time considering they only offered 11). I feel pretty safe saying I was above average, although I'm definitely falling behind due to my need to experience life, as opposed to following a purely intellectual path as it seems I was destined for a time.
-------------------- Discuss Politics
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Ego Death
Justadropofwaterinanendlesssea



Registered: 04/27/03
Posts: 10,447
Loc: The War Machine
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8597968 - 07/05/08 04:42 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I wonder how this poll would vary if it was in OTD
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Acyl
cyanidepoisoning


Registered: 12/13/05
Posts: 4,472
Loc: N.W.T.
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8598433 - 07/05/08 07:44 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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No, I was kind of an idiot
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1 ,2
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Cepheus
Balance




Registered: 04/19/06
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8600219 - 07/06/08 09:49 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I was always smart but lazy.
Then I took a load of drugs and now I have motivation to achieve in life (else I would have probably have settled for mediocrity).
I'll find out just how smart on the 14th of August, the dreaded results day, which determines a large portion of my life.
-------------------- "I only ever hope to reach equilibrium, in Nature's matrix, in line with the meridian" ~ Jehst
"...and I know that I have to keep breathing, as tomorrow the sun will rise, who knows what the tide will bring?" Free Spore Ring Europe Send any spare spore prints you might have and help the distribution
Open Source. Freedom. GNU/Linux Addicting is not a word.
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Grav


Registered: 02/06/02
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Cepheus]
#8610614 - 07/08/08 11:17 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I got straight A's in everything, (not saying much because grade school is pretty stupid) was the spelling B champ, was programming text adventures in qbasic, making websites with html, etc. till about 7th grade when I began smoking weed and generally becoming preoccupied with social life, and being rebellious. That's also when my parents got divorced.
Since then I've been way way waaaay too distracted by life around me to focus on any particular field to the point of excelling in it. I think about making beautiful audio and visual compositions but never really find the focus to make it happen. I wandered through undergrad getting a B.A. in art, and after a year of totally doing nothing with my life I finally made a move and jumped into graduate school in art for game design. I think I might be coming around (back to a mental state where I can hone a skill without being distracted) but its still a challenge.
Sometimes I think about where I'd be if I had really stuck to the books. who knows.
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elbisivni
Registered: 10/01/06
Posts: 2,839
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8616361 - 07/10/08 07:11 AM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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Subatomic particle plush toys FTW.
-------------------- From dust you are made and to dust you shall return.
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Annom
※※※※※※




Registered: 12/22/02
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Re: Were you a child genius? [Re: Asante]
#8617795 - 07/10/08 02:43 PM (15 years, 10 months ago) |
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I'm certainly not a genius, but above average. When I was 9, my teacher gave me special math assignments like calculating the least common multiple and a very old high school algebra book. She was the only teacher who gave me special learning material and left the school after one year. After that I just did everything without any effort (and wasn't motivated to get high grades) until university. When looking back I could have learned so much more in those years. All I really did was have fun with friends at school and play computer games at home.
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