Being intelligent? It's mostly about having a good memory...

[227bhp]

Is what i've been thinking lately. I have a terrible memory, I don't know why, always have.
If I could retain everything i'd learned and be able to recall it i'd be far cleverer than I am now, in fact i'd be intelligent.
Discuss

[captain_cynic]

227bhp said:

Is what i've been thinking lately. I have a terrible memory, I don't know why, always have.
If I could retain everything i'd learned and be able to recall it i'd be far cleverer than I am now, in fact i'd be intelligent.
Discuss

I'd disagree.

Being intelligent is not about what you know. We can teach monkeys a lot via rote memorisation.

Being intelligent is about knowing how to find and figure things out.

[Shakermaker]

Surely a case of defining what constitutes intelligence?

One of my good mates from school has a Doctorate (or two?), worked at prestigious universities in Europe and the UK, got lots of funding, produced what I am told is ground breaking science stuff to aid medical research and so forth.

But he wouldn't be a winner on The Chase.

But, what he can remember, is how to use the principles of science/maths/engineering etc, to produce the stuff that makes everyone else go "Wow, you're so intelligent.."

[Centurion07]

It's a big help, sure, but if you don't understand the information you've memorised and how to apply or extrapolate from it then having memorised all that stuff doesn't really make a lot of difference.

[Jonno02]

Totally disagree.

Work in the scientific-research sector. You can see a mile off those that memorise things and those that understand them, are able to mould the application/test/etc to a new problem and come to a solution.

A good memory will get you through exams. Genuine intelligence will get your further in life.

[alorotom]

Understanding, critical thinking and objective analysis are key to intelligence from my perspective.

Anyone can recite something memorised - its a basic exercise. Being able to listen, understand, unpick and analyse are the main ways to establish an intelligent and articulate response

[Getragdogleg]

I know many people who have been educated above their intelligence.

[PAULJ5555]

Yes, you kind of know where your own mental capacity is set at. I have Dyslexia but I have done accounting exams and passed all first time, however I can see there are jobs I could just not do with the amount of knowledge you have to retain and work to juggle.

My short term memory is scetchy by I'm fairly good when it comes to a general knowlage quiz.

I do find that these people who are "intelligent" have sweet FA common sense.

Edited by PAULJ5555 on Friday 3rd May 12:28

[98elise]

captain_cynic said:

227bhp said:

Is what i've been thinking lately. I have a terrible memory, I don't know why, always have.
If I could retain everything i'd learned and be able to recall it i'd be far cleverer than I am now, in fact i'd be intelligent.
Discuss

I'd disagree.

Being intelligent is not about what you know. We can teach monkeys a lot via rote memorisation.

Being intelligent is about knowing how to find and figure things out.

Agreed.

I am a member of Mensa, but I have a terrible memory.

Personally I'd rate a good memory over intelligence as a useful skill.

Being able to work out the next number in a sequence has little practical value for the majority of people.

[227bhp]

All agreeable comments. Therefore there are different types and the one I have alluded to is perhaps 'artificial intelligence'.

[motco]

Jonno02 said:

Totally disagree.

Work in the scientific-research sector. You can see a mile off those that memorise things and those that understand them, are able to mould the application/test/etc to a new problem and come to a solution.

A good memory will get you through exams. Genuine intelligence will get your further in life.

Quite! The difference between 'training' and 'education'. That said, 'training' is a term now widely used for such things as medicine, and you won't get far as a doctor if you have simply memorised things, because knowledge and experience are vital in that sphere.

[Shuvi McTupya]

98elise said:

I am a member of Mensa, but I have a terrible memory.

Out of interest, why? What do you get out of it?

I generally test high enough to join but i don't see the point apart from being able to tell people you are in Mensa.

[anonymous-user]

PAULJ5555 said:

I do find that these people who are "intelligent" have sweet FA common sense.

Presumably IQ and EQ don’t add together to make total Q?

I mean you don’t get a ratio of each out of a 100. So you’re describing some boffin with 99% IQ and 1% EQ so he’s possibly a bit hopeless at life generally but great in a laboratory or Bletchley Park.

If you had a high IQ and EQ you’d be a pretty well rounded person. Is that possible? My IQ is too low to understand how they are linked, if at all.

[8Ace]

Shuvi McTupya said:

98elise said:

I am a member of Mensa, but I have a terrible memory.

Out of interest, why? What do you get out of it?

I generally test high enough to join but i don't see the point apart from being able to tell people you are in Mensa.

Agree. I haven't taken a test but my success at school / university would suggest I'm not a complete blockhead. Just have no desire to

[Herbs]

Surely it's a combination of both (memory and understanding) to be classed as truly intelligent - each are very limited on there own.

[RC1807]

Shuvi McTupya said:

98elise said:

I am a member of Mensa, but I have a terrible memory.

Out of interest, why? What do you get out of it?

I generally test high enough to join but i don't see the point apart from being able to tell people you are in Mensa.

Why are you asking him? He can't remember!

[227bhp]

Herbs said:

Surely it's a combination of both (memory and understanding) to be classed as truly intelligent - each are very limited on there own.

And being able to spell too.

[Herbs]

227bhp said:

Herbs said:

Surely it's a combination of both (memory and understanding) to be classed as truly intelligent - each are very limited on there own.

And being able to spell too.

Overrated

[anonymous-user]

Shuvi McTupya said:

98elise said:

I am a member of Mensa, but I have a terrible memory.

Out of interest, why? What do you get out of it?

I generally test high enough to join but i don't see the point apart from being able to tell people you are in Mensa.

Didn’t one of the guys who always told everyone he was in Mensa (alexkp I think) tell us they had great camps and parties?

I think it was pretty wild.

[jimPH]

I realised early on that I'm not that clever, but I've been clever enough not to get found out. So far at least.