Re: Boy Genius or Craft Idiot?

From: Jef Allbright (jef@jefallbright.net)
Date: Sat May 31 2003 - 12:01:27 MDT

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    Some people who know better refer to "God" because they understand the
    political importance of this in gaining wide support for their plans and
    goals. The use of metaphor can be an effective tool for connecting with
    people who don't yet have the background knowledge to appreciate the bigger
    picture, and can be used with integrity in such cases.

    I think he knows very well what he's doing, and has the potential and
    likelihood of making a substantial contribution to humanity.

    Conversely, a recurring theme on the extropians list is that of extremely
    bright persons performing feats of intellectual magic but lacking the
    ability to garner support and --- accomplish --- tasks requiring more than
    individual effort.

    These same persons often try to disguise their lack of effective people
    skills by projecting arrogance, use of obscure language and references, and
    sarcasm. None of which is apparent in young Greg Smith's writings, web
    site, speech, or appearance. In my opinion, here's someone worth watching,
    and perhaps helping.

    - Jef

    Olga Bourlin wrote:
    > On the one hand he's reputed to have an unquantifiable IQ:
    >
    >
    http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/134859999_boygenius31.html
    >
    > On the other hand he says:
    > "[arrogantly] I believe I was given a special gift from God, and
    > [humbly] I don't know why" ... and [as Miss America candidates are
    > inclined to say] "I want to use this gift to help all mankind and
    > bring lasting world peace." [my italics]
    >
    > Being that I am constantly naive on this subject, it is astouding to
    > me when people say they were given a special gift from god (female
    > singers are especially likely to say this). But what I don't
    > understand is how a brain (as in the boy genius story) that makes
    > mathematical and scientific connections doesn't make the observation
    > that we just crawled out of the ocean not all that long ago ... and
    > that there is no Monkey King.
    >
    > Olga

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