Questioning Concessions, Questions, Attention, Talk, Rudeness, and Enemies

 

“Every single person is a fool, insane, a failure, or a bad person to at least ten people.”

-- Mokokoma Mokhonoana

Why does the world make concessions for most bad smart people?

The “world” doesn’t. I know I don’t. Bad is bad, "smart" or not. As far as I’m concerned, if you’re “smart” you should know better than to be bad. If you are bad, you aren’t that smart and someone will kick your ass, sooner or later.

How far down the rabbit hole can intelligence take you?

Not nearly far enough. There are secrets about the universe that only the “rabbit hole” can answer.

How can we celebrate our individual strengths and talents without succumbing to comparisons or competitive pressures?

“Succumbing” to anything is your choice. Regarding comparison and competitive pressure, could you not buy into it? Be who you are, an individual celebrating your strengths and talents. I like to ignore the pressures that people try to force on me.

I know this question is stupid but.. I was so smart when I was kinder to 4th grade and those year I'm always top 1 and with highest honor but now I'm on 9th grade idk what happened: Can someone explain?

No question is "stupid" unless you ask it more than once. My answer: Things got more difficult and you didn’t keep up.

Why are some people judgmental? Why are there "J" MBTI types?

All people are judgmental. They say they aren’t, but they are. I try not to be, and I fail, but I try not to voice my judgments… unless they are good. Voicing bad judgments says more about the person judging than the person being judged. As far as “J” MBTI types, I’ve been out of the loop too long. What the hell are they?

Why do people judge me based on my bad English?

People judge. It isn’t right, but they do it anyway. Ignore their ignorance, and learn to speak better English.

“When they judge you, yawn.

When they misunderstand you, smile.

When they underestimate you, laugh.

When they condemn you, ignore.

When they envy you, rejoice.

When they oppose you, prevail.”

-- Matshona Dhliwayo

Why is it so hard to ask questions (any topic)?

Was it hard to ask this one? It is so much easier to ask a question than to come up with an interesting answer.

What strategies can be used to prevent overlooking important details when making decisions, particularly in a complex field like artificial Intelligence?

“Critical thinking” comes to mind.

How can curiosity make you popular even though some people don't want this about you?

Ego. I don’t know why so many people are concerned with what other people think of them. Be curious. What do you care what other people think? If they look down on you for being curious, it says more about them than it does about you.

What is the average IQ difference between two randomly chosen adults in a population? (NOTE: The answer is not zero because the odds of randomly choosing two identical individuals are very low.)

It is “very low” but not impossible? So, the answer could be “zero” if you chose correctly.

How do I make this year 2024 my luckiest year yet?

Pay attention to details and make use of critical thought. There is no such thing as “luck” in life. Your “luck” has more to do with making the right choices and decisions.

What does artificial intelligence lack to think like us?

A brain that can think for itself. 

“We ought to regard the present state of the universe as the effect of its antecedent state and as the cause of the state that is to follow. An intelligence knowing all the forces acting in nature at a given instant, as well as the momentary positions of all things in the universe, would be able to comprehend in one single formula the motions of the largest bodies as well as the lightest atoms in the world, provided that its intellect were sufficiently powerful to subject all data to analysis; to it, nothing would be uncertain, the future, as well as the past, would be present to its eyes. The perfection that the human mind has been able to give to astronomy affords but a feeble outline of such an intelligence.”

-- Pierre Simon de Laplace

How can someone underestimate someone's intelligence by giving them attention?

It makes one think about which one's intelligence is really being underestimated.

Say you took two professional exams scoring 100 percent on the more competitive one but received a 0 on the second through a system error that won’t be fixed, could you learn to be grateful for the first score on the more competitive one at least?

It is what it is. Being pissed off won’t fix the problem any more than being grateful will. Again, it is what it is.

My favorite numbers are 14, 88, 109, and 110. What does that tell me about my personality?

One-fourth of you is odd.

I am very weak from the heart. Everyone hurt me a lot. I care about everyone, but still, I feel hurt. I want to change myself like I don't care about anyone, but I can't change. What can I do?

Don’t let what they do, hurt you. It is a choice you must make for your life, but don’t change the caring person you are. Strive to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of your circumstances. It is a simple choice.

Is the West dumbed down and stopped looking for intelligent people?

Our educational system is broken by the liberal union running it.

I have an IQ higher than 99.99% [this site's] users. What do you feel regarding this?

I probably have the same, but I don’t think about it much. When compared to [this site's] users, it might not mean much at all. It depends on which users you are comparing to. If we’re discussing the users who are members of the League of the Perpetually Offended, you are probably in good stead. But, I like to quote Stephen Hawking, who says:

“People who boast about their I.Q. are losers.”

-- Stephen Hawking

Can I talk to you about yourself personally?

Since you don’t know me, that would be interesting, and boring.

My IQ was measured to be 108, am I dumb?

I was around that in high school. They didn’t teach me what I wanted to learn. Then I got into college and pulled down a 3.2 grade average without ever cracking a psychology book. I qualified for the top 10% of the Air Force and stayed in the service for 23 years. My point is, that maybe they aren’t teaching you what you want to learn.

Do you manipulate others with your money?

No. Manipulation is a sign of a weak mind and much weaker reasoning.

Do you let money control you, or does it control you?

Money is what I live on. I control how much I have of it and like having less than I do. I have retired twice so I have enough to be comfortable with, which is not much, but I don’t require much. If I ever run out of money, I’ll find a job at 70 years of age. Nothing controls me, well… maybe a woman’s beautiful legs. At 70, I can’t take my eyes off them, nor do I want to. They make me smile.

Why do people control me all the time?

You let them. It is your life, so don’t let them.

Why do people judge you and makeup stuff about you just to make you feel like crap about yourself?

Hah! I so don’t listen to crap people say about me. I have no filter and say what’s on my mind, and people seem to appreciate this. People can make stuff up about me, but it’s probably true, unbeknownst to them. I’ve been called an “asshole,” and I tell them they are wrong. I’m a special kind of an asshole, so don’t forget it. People that make stuff up don’t know the real me. All my friends and acquaintances like me, and that’s all I care about. You need a set of broad shoulders to let the crap people say roll off your back.

“A person's assumptions reveal who they are, more than the words they utter.”

-- Wayne Gerard Trotman

Why would an employee not say "thank you"?

They have had a bad day, and they’re taking it out on everyone else?

I am curious. Is sleeping with your wife wrong?

The answer, for me, is the same as the question, “Is killing you wrong?” But, then, I’m not married, so the question is moot.

How do I get people’s respect?

You generally get what you give.

When is money nothing more than a figure on paper?

When you don’t give a fig about money. People need to be truly happy always and in all things, regardless of their circumstances. If you’re poor and truly happy, you have a better life than the rich who know nothing of true happiness. If you’re rich and truly happy, the figure on paper means very little to your true happiness. 

How would you respond to, "My friends really like you."?

“But, aren't your friends all men?”

Is it too late to learn artificial Intelligence at 60 years old?

Do you really want to learn it? If you do, then the question is meaningless. Go learn AI and excel at it. It would be nice to show the youngsters how the old folks do things. At 60 you have at least another 20 years to thumb your nose at all the naysayers. Go for it!

“You are never too old to learn more than you already know and to become able to do more than you already can.”

-- Isaac Asimov 

What was your best experience with your enemy?

When he saw the error in his ways.

Is there a link between being smart and having a good memory?

Nope. I used to be smart and intelligent, but now, I’m only smart, and at 70 years of age, my memory is shot to hell.

What is a polite way to ask for a prompt response?

“Please respond to this request promptly, so we can start the ball rolling. Thank you!” 

Should you always choose people who choose you?

No. You will never know what a stranger will do, nor the people who choose you will not get to see the benefits, or detriments, in the new people. Variety demands taking an occasional chance on something new.

How can a person's personality be changed by wealth?

Yes.

How can I show self-respect even when others don't respect me?

If you don’t respect yourself, why should anyone respect you? It is incumbent on you to respect yourself so others can believe you when you show respect. Otherwise, your show of respect will be seen as so much bullshit.

“When you are content to be simply yourself and don't compare or compete, everyone will respect you.”

-- Lao Tzu

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch - it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either view any more right or wrong than the other. Opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form their own opinions, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.

I fervently hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion in an arena of mutual respect concerning those opinions offered. After twenty-three years of military intelligence, I believe that engaging each other in this manner, and in this arena, is a way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience... and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. Following his service career, he spent 17 years working with the premier and world-renowned Western Institutional Review Board, helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. He also served 8 years on the Board of Directors for the Angela J. Bowen Foundation.

Ordained in 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As a weapon for his war on intolerance, he chose the pen. He wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's personal, spiritual path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteered as the lead chaplain at a regional medical center.

Feel free to contact Pastor Tony at: tolerantpastor@gmail.com