Monday Morning Coming Down… A NARRATIVE

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Once upon a time… in a galaxy right in your face… the world suddenly luxated and went topsy-turvy. The masses of humanity just above the very bottom of the American societal pyramid decided that they had had enough! Enough education and enlightenment… enough honesty and integrity that thwarted their baser desires… enough traditional Christian belief in peace, love and understanding as well as enough with this helping the poor shit. Enough of The Golden Rule and way more than enough of this tolerance of other’s beliefs. From now on the Golden Calf will be worshipped openly instead of behind closed doors… greed and self-interest are now personality traits to be revered. Winning isn’t everything… IT’S THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS! Even more shockingly is that democratic freedoms guaranteed to EVERYONE by our Constitution are suddenly deemed the exclusive right of the Whites Only Christian Nationalists.

Fringe elements supporting these radical cults may be treated slightly more leniently, like Baptist supporting minorities, but the hardcore center know what their endgame is. Indoctrination in a narrow 18th century view of the world is to replace education, supported by public persecution, anonymous death threats and openly armed rebellion against law enforcement.

In response to this sudden turnaround, space travelers now get a public service announcement when they get within range of Planet Nine (Pluto for you home schoolers) that warns them that there’s “NO INTELLIGENT LIFE PAST THIS POINT”. Now why is this?

Since time immemorial there’s been a quest to unravel the mystery of intelligence. People are curious to understand what makes one intelligent in a particular area. It is believed that true intelligence lies in the depth and breadth of knowledge and experience in both the general and the specific domain.

The journey to intelligence is said to be a combination of various factors, experiences, and qualities. One of the key factors is critical thinking, the ability to analyze information and discern its relevance, accuracy, and practical application. Intelligence is not just about accumulating knowledge but also about ensuring its meaning and reliability.

Continuously learning is another important aspect of becoming intelligent. Those who are always curious and dedicated to expanding their understanding tended to acquire vast amounts of knowledge. They pursued education, read books, attended seminars and workshops, or simply asked questions out of sheer curiosity.

But knowledge gained through books and classes is not enough. True intelligence requires hands-on experience in a field or domain. It is through real-world application that individuals gained a deeper understanding and discovered nuances and insights that theoretical knowledge alone couldn't provide.

To truly expand one's horizons and understand subjects or the world in general, diverse exposure is necessary. The encounters with different situations, challenges, cultures, and ideas helped shape a more comprehensive understanding. It is like looking at the world through various lenses, broadening perspectives.

Engaging with peers, mentors, and experts in a field played a crucial role in the quest for intelligence. Networking allowed for the exploration of a broader spectrum of ideas and knowledge. Through discussions, debates, and shared experiences, one's knowledge base expanded, and new perspectives emerged.

Open-mindedness is a quality that emphasized the flexibility to accept new ideas and change one's beliefs in the light of new evidence. It keeps individuals from being trapped in dogmatic beliefs and allowed for adaptability and receptiveness to different viewpoints.

Passion, a genuine love for a subject, is often a driving force in the journey towards intelligence. It fueled the desire to delve deeper, spend more time, and engage more fully with the subject, ultimately leading to a profound understanding.

Self-reflection is an essential habit to cultivate. By reflecting on what has been learned, questioning assumptions, and integrating new knowledge into existing frameworks, one's understanding became more profound and cohesive.

Teaching others is not only a way to share knowledge but also to consolidate and deepen one's own understanding. It forced individuals to see topics from different angles and address questions or challenges they haven't considered before.

A humble approach is key in the pursuit of intelligence. Recognizing that there is always more to learn, regardless of how much one already knew, opened the door for continuous growth. Humility is a driving force for exploration and understanding.
Resilience also plays a significant role in the quest for intelligence. Facing and overcoming challenges and failures in a field led to a richer, more nuanced understanding. It is through these experiences that resilient individuals learned and grew.

In summary, the journey to intelligence is a continuous one, a lifelong endeavor of curiosity and growth. It requires structured learning, hands-on experience, interpersonal interactions, and personal qualities. It is a constant exploration, a continuous leap towards greater understanding.

And it is important to note what intelligence is not. It is not a knee-jerk emotional reaction to any subject or idea based on rumors, hearsay, or anecdotal stories. It is not the dream like notion that our future could be fine if only we could return to an idealized past. Nor is it the traditional refuge of the simpleminded who shout, “Common Sense” when questioned on their specifics of their opinions.

This reminder serves as a caution to avoid falling into the trap of misinformation and biased beliefs that are being angrily shouted at the citizenry by way of zealots and demagogues and their toadies.