Dear Paul,
Thanks for writing. Gardner stresses how culturally based intelligence
is. What constitutes genius in the US today is totally useless in
Micronesia. The kinds of intelligence you describe to me are visual,
naturalist and logical. Visual and naturalist intelligences have
not traditionally valued in our society, and at 56 you probably
had a hard row to hoe trying to find your niche in the middle of
this century in our culture. It amazes me how much suffering people
have had to endure because their mental strengths were not the ones
schools or businesses emphasized. I can tell from the tone of your
letter that you have felt troubled because of this tendency in our
society.
The good news is society is going through great change. Whereas
visual thinkers used to be classified as artists and architects,
and naturalists used to be labeled as environmentalists and academics,
now someone of your abilities has options to realize their potential
as a visionary - an idea person who thinks "outside the box". In
my experience, visual thinkers are some of the most creative because
they look at ideas on non-traditional, non-verbal ways. Likewise,
naturalists are creative in that they organize and analyze things
in ways that are different from the traditional linear, logical
approach. In short Paul, you are still so young and so many things
are getting more emphasis in our culture, you need to know lots
of doors are opening up for you. Companies are looking for people
with non-conventional ideas and new ways to solve their very old
problems.
The biggest thing you'll want to work on is shedding the years of
frustration and disappointment that you have endured because you
didn't fit the traditional mode of intelligence espoused 50 years
ago. That leaves a lot of scars, but you can get past them if you
allow yourself the opportunity to start over and see yourself as
the truly gifted person you are. Dr. Gardner would be standing here
telling you the exact same thing. Society has used models of intelligence
to label and limit individuals for too long. Gardner's model is
meant to empower all peoples, to let all of us shine and realize
our full potential. I invite you to read some of his work and come
to understand everything you have to offer the rest of us.
Hope this helps!
-Walter
