Defining Brainpower
How do you define brainpower? "Intellectual capacity,"
according to my dictionary, and that's the entire entry. This
two word definition leaves some things unanswered. For example,
is "intellectual capacity," and therefore brainpower
simply intelligence, IQ, or "intelligence quotient"?
Here is a better definition of brainpower: "The effective
use of ones brain." After all, power is defined as, "The
ability or capacity to perform or act effectively," or "Strength
or force exerted or capable of being exerted." It isn't
the possession of things with potential, but the ability to use
them. Military power, for example, isn't just owning weapons,
but also having men who know how to use them.
Intelligence alone is not brainpower, if there is no ability
to use it effectively. Most of us have known an intelligent person
who can talk endlessly about almost any topic, but has trouble
actually doing anything in life. Such a person has much potential
brainpower, but a less intelligent man who can implement one
good idea has more actual brainpower.
Many are in in awe of intelligence, but forget that like all
tools, it has no value in and of itself. What real power does
a million dollars have if it's simply hidden under a mattress?
Is a man more successful because he has better business potential
than another? Is an artist great because he could
be better than the best? A persons unrealized potential is simply
that - unrealized.
Defining Brainpower - Examples
Einstein, who also had a high IQ, had a lot of brainpower,
because he produced many things with his intelligence. Henry
Ford, not known for his high IQ, also had brainpower, because
he very effectively used what intelligence he had. On the other
hand, there are millions of intellectuals who have potential
and even high IQ scores, but never seem to find a way to make
that mean something in the world or in their own lives. By this
new definition they have no real brainpower.
If you accept this definition of brainpower, and you want
to increase yours, it certainly helps to have more knowledge.
It helps to learn problem solving techniques, and certain approaches
to analyzing things. You can also physically improve your brain
with mental and physical exercises. But in addition to all of
this, you have to connect that raw intelligence and technique
to real life.
It doesn't increase your brainpower to have a new problem
solving technique if you never solve a problem with it. It doesn't
mean much to know all about mathematics or astronomy or politics
if you spend your life washing dishes for a living and doing
nothing with your knowledge.
It isn't uncommon for very intelligent people to be unhappy.
This may be due to a lack of brainpower, which limits their ability
to make that intelligence serve them.
The best definition of brainpower might be... The effective
use of ones brain.
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