A friend of mine once raised the idea that, really, everyone is born with the potential to be smart as fuck. It all depends on how each person develops that potential. So you could be from the ghetto and if you didn't fuck around you could end up being a brain surgeon. Or, on the other hand, there are some smart ass ghetto kids who get rich on the black market cuz they were the ones who decided to devote the attention to learning how to play the game well. On the other end of the spectrum, rich kids have a better chance of succeeding, according to the status quo standard of measurement, cuz their families are more capable and willing to foster the kind of environment that propels the kids through, and raises them to the top of, the traditional cycle of immersion into society. So, the more wealthy your parents, the more likely you'll be to proceed along a path that brings you into contact with the ivy-league elite. And so of course at some point in the stage you develop the confidence to fit into any kind of situation and feel good about your belief system, regardless of whether it's in accord with that of your present company. You're more likely to be a confident individual, that is, and handle well whatever situation you find yourself occupying, and less likely to let situations govern you.
I guess confidence, then, is the key thing. And success doesn't necessarily mean getting rich. It could just mean being the coolest "average joe" of whatever societal level you occupy. It's more a question of how well you facilitate yourself through your environment.
So I guess my questions are: How much do you buy the idea that everyone is born with the same potential to be smart/cool? Are people not really born possessing natural talent? To what extent is what seems to be natural talent merely the product of a good environment? What role does attractiveness play?
Finally, Is this too democratic an idea to be real? I mean, it's essentially the same as saying that everyone really is created equal.
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Lauren's comment is back. Sorry it was missing.
Drew summed that up pretty well, I think.
If you look at people, people you know or strangers, it seems like theres a big difference between the smart ones and the dumb ones.
I think that if you go back towards birth, theres a lot less range in that. Sure theres a variance in nature, but I believe there is (nearly literally) a world of difference that nurture throws in there.
And nurture isn't just how someones parents raise them, but its how someone see how the world is put together.
One thing about coolness I've noticed is that you can be way cool through your seventies or eighties or you can blow it before your are twenty. Its all in the way you look at stuff.
Anyways I don't think I'm eloquent enough to put all this in a comment. This is definitely a conversation to have over whisky or something.
It is a nice idea, but I just don't think it's true. There are way too many factors that must be included into the equation. Plus, the idea of "equal" just doesn't fit anyone, ever, period. Especially when it comes to brains.
Our brains develop for the most part in the womb and the factors that push us one way or the other are not only genetic, but also environmental based on our mother's ability to maintain certain health during pregnancy, her health behaviors before pregnancy, plus a whole list of other things. Our brains are so delicate and precise that the slightest defect can completely alter a persons ability to speak, distiguish facial features, know the difference between right and wrong.
Another point would be, who are you going to include in this, because obviously people with Downs Syndrome, Autism, etc. could not be included, and what of the idiot sevants? What about those who are incredibly intelligent, but social outcasts? Where do you the draw the line on who is "normal" and who isn't?
Also, there are different degrees ff intelligence. Some people are good at science and math, others at literature. Personally, I think IQ tests are a bunch of crap, along with the majority of standardized testing, so how do you distuinguish how smart a person really is compared to the next?
However, all these points aside, there is cetainly proof that depending on your economic status, gender, race, environment, etc, your intelligence, and many other things, are effected. I can't begin to imagine the impact on this country if our public schools weren't funded based on the local economies. However, even if learning, from infancy on was somehow equalized, we would never be, and thank whoever you wish for this, "equal".
My apologies for this being long winded. I could go on, but am choosing to edit myself for the sake of others interest levels.
It seems to me that we are born with different levels of talent, attractiveness,coolness, intelligence or whatever. Genetically, we are obviously varied, and that is good. Some things will be more valueable in certain times than others.
On the other hand, nobody has so much of anything that they don't need other people. In fact, many people with less are far better off because they more quickly learn to connect with others.
Finally, unequal gifts does not mean unequal worth. That's where I am the democrat--every human has value (infinite value, no less) just for being human.
Summary: equal value, yes, equal in all ways at birth: no.