science
The Science Behind Relationships; Humans Media explores the basis of our attraction, contempt, why we do what we do and to whom we do it.
Unveiling the Hidden Challenges of High Intelligence
If ignorance brings happiness, does high intelligence lead to despair? Common belief suggests so. Prodigies are often seen as plagued by existential angst, dissatisfaction, and depression. Think of Virginia Woolf, Alan Turing, or Lisa Simpson - lone stars, constrained even as they shine brightest. As Ernest Hemingway put it: "Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest thing I know." The question may seem trivial to some, but the insights it offers could impact many. Much of our educational system focuses on improving academic intelligence; although its limits are well-known, intelligence level remains the primary measure of mental abilities, and we invest millions in brain training and mental enhancers aimed at boosting those scores. But what if the pursuit of genius is futile in itself? The groundwork for answering these questions was laid nearly 100 years ago, during the American Jazz Age. At that time, the modern intelligence test was gaining traction, having showcased its skills in the Second World War recruitment centers. In 1926, psychologist Lewis Terman decided to use it to identify and study a group of gifted children. Scouring California's schools for the best, he selected 1,500 students with an intelligence level of 140 or higher - 80 of whom had intelligence levels exceeding 170. Together, they were known as the "Termites," and the ups and downs of their lives are still being scrutinized today. The Termites' average income was twice that of the typical middle-class job. As expected, many of the Termites achieved wealth and fame - most notably Jess Oppenheimer, the writer of the classic 1950s sitcom I Love Lucy. When his show aired on CBS, the Termites collectively earned twice the typical middle-class income. However, not all members lived up to Terman's expectations - some pursued more "humble" professions such as police officers, sailors, and typists. Hence, Terman concluded that "intelligence and achievement are not perfectly correlated." Their intelligence did not ensure personal fulfillment either. Throughout their lives, rates of divorce, alcoholism, and suicide were similar to the national average. As the Termites approach old age, the moral of their story - that intelligence does not guarantee a better life - has been reiterated time and again. At best, a great mind makes no difference to your life satisfaction; at worst, it can actually result in less fulfillment. This is not to say that every highly intelligent person is a tormented genius, as popular culture might suggest - but it is nonetheless puzzling. Why don't the benefits of sharper intelligence pay off in the long run? A significant burden One possibility is that awareness of your gifts becomes somewhat of a perpetual burden. In the 1990s, the surviving Termites were asked to reflect on the events in their 80-year lifespan. Instead of reveling in their successes, many reported being haunted by the feeling that they had somehow failed to meet their youthful expectations. That sense of pressure - especially when coupled with others' expectations - is a recurring theme for many other gifted children. The most prominent, and tragic, case concerns the math prodigy Sufiah Yusof. Admitted to Oxford University at age 12, she dropped out of her course before taking her finals and began working as a waitress. She later worked as a call girl. Another common complaint, often heard in student bars and online forums, is that smarter individuals somehow have a clearer view of the world's shortcomings. While most of us are shielded from existential dread, intelligent people lie awake grappling with the human condition or others' foolishness. Persistent worrying may indeed be a sign of intelligence - but not in the way these armchair philosophers had imagined. Conversing with students on campus about various topics, Alexander Penney at MacEwan University in Canada found that those with higher intelligence levels did indeed experience more anxiety throughout the day. Interestingly, most concerns were mundane, everyday worries, but the high-intelligence level students were more likely to replay an awkward conversation than ponder the "big questions." "It's not that their concerns were more important, but they are simply agonizing more frequently about additional things," says Penney. "If something negative happened, they thought about it more." Delving deeper, Penney observed that this seemed to be related to verbal intelligence - the type measured by word games in intelligence tests, compared to proficiency in spatial puzzles (which actually appeared to reduce the risk of anxiety). He speculates that greater verbal expression could also make you more likely to voice concerns and ruminate over them. Nevertheless, it's not necessarily a drawback. "Maybe they were problem-solving a bit more than most people," he says - which could help them learn from their mistakes. Mental blind spots The harsh reality, however, is that greater intelligence does not necessarily equate to a happier or more fulfilling life.
By Toshon chakma2 years ago in Humans
On the Rarity of Highly Virulent Human Pathogens
Author's note: Confirmed reports of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy herds and unconfirmed reports of humans working closely with said cattle showing symptoms of the flu have me more then a little uneasy today. Working on another story to publish shortly with more on that however it got me thinking about optimal virulence and an article I had published many years ago on the topic. When I searched for it I could not find that I had ever published here on Vocal so presenting it now here again for the first time. I was thinking a lot about computer viruses at the time so that is a big part of the discussion.
By Everyday Junglist2 years ago in Humans
Dog bites: How to prevent or treat them
Each year, more than 4.5 million dog bites occur in the United States. Despite what you might assume, most of these incidents don't happen when an unfamiliar dog attacks someone in a park or another outdoor location. Instead, most dog bites are inflicted by a pet dog in a home.
By Jahangir Alam2 years ago in Humans
If time travel becomes possible in the future, wouldn’t we have met time travelers from the future already?
The concept of time travel has long captivated human imagination, giving rise to the world of science fiction, philosophy, and theoretical physics. From H.G. Wells’ “The Time Machine” to blockbuster films like “Back to the Future,” the idea of journeying through time has sparked endless fascination and speculation. Yet, amidst this fascination, a puzzling question persists: if time travel were possible, why haven’t we encountered visitors from the future in our present? This intriguing conundrum invites us to explore the complexities of time, the hypothetical mechanisms of time travel, and the potential implications for our understanding of the universe. In this discussion, we delve into the depths of this mystery, examining various theories and perspectives to shed light on why the absence of time travelers from our midst may be more than just a curious coincidence.
By Romano Meyer2 years ago in Humans
In Defense of Chaos
Chaos gets an undeservedly bad rap. As someone who admittedly has something of an attraction to chaos I have spent a great deal of time pondering what it is exactly about chaotic things and situations I find so appealing. An easy and lazy answer relates to my dread of boredom. Let's face it, order is a lot more boring than chaos. While this may be part of the answer it is not even close to all of it, and in this piece I will provide alternative arguments in defense of chaos. First off, I don't think it is much of a stretch to suggest that my opinion of the value of chaos runs counter to the majority of persons who it seems hold the exact opposite viewpoint. To most, chaos is a thing to be avoided and minimized. It provides no positive benefit, instead it only sows confusion, or reduces efficiency, or is responsible for a million other negative consequences. In the past I have been called both an "agent of chaos" and "bringer of chaos." I took no offense at the time and believe both to be fairly accurate characterizations which I take pride in, though I do not believe they were said necessarily as compliments.
By Everyday Junglist2 years ago in Humans
Shock
Shock is a critical physiological emergency characterized by hypoperfusion to the body's cells, tissues, and organs, where blood and oxygen fail to reach cells necessary for their function. Understanding the fundamental principles of shock physiology is crucial for recognizing and responding effectively to patients in shock.
By Abeer Abbas2 years ago in Humans
Echoes of Eternity: The Journey to the Starlit Citadel
In the far off compasses of the universe, where stars paint the sky in tones of heavenly miracle, lies a position of legend known as the Twilight Fortification. A reference point of information and shrewdness, holding the privileged insights of the actual universe, monitored by old watchmen and hidden in mystery is said. For ages, the Bastion has enticed to those bold enough to look for its consecrated lobbies, promising responses to the most profound inquiries of presence.
By Nirbhay Gupta2 years ago in Humans
Translating Your Pet's Rash Eruptions: Reasons and Arrangements
Our dearest partners, from cuddly cats to energetic little guys, at times shock us with abrupt eruptions. While these imprudent responses could appear to be sudden, there's generally a legitimate clarification behind them. How about we dive into the "whys" of pet rashness and investigate ways of assisting them with exploring these minutes actually.
By Saliha Anwer2 years ago in Humans
Combating Malnutrition in Older Adults
Many elders face a battle that often happens behind closed doors and in unseen corners. People outside medical circles and caregiver groups talk about this battle less. It is the pervasive issue of malnutrition among older adults. It may lack the urgency of youth or the appeal of tech, but it's a topic that's important to our shared humanity.
By Charlene Ann Mildred Barroga2 years ago in Humans
