by Rob Purifoy

Created on: May 22, 2009   Last Updated: May 25, 2009

To know a little about a lot is not only key to making a good first impression, but also to keep and hold the attention of another. With the advent of the Internet and all the information that it holds, some may find it difficult to carry on a conversation that has not already been spoken. Actually this thinking would be incorrect as intelligence goes far beyond trivial knowledge and memorization of quotes from Shakespeare or past presidents.

Intelligence has several definitions and the first definition in Webster's nails down the surface meaning; "the capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc." To break this definition down, it means that we must have the capability to remember and learn from mistakes and experiences so that we will do better the next time around. It is said that acts of insanity is repeating an action that continues to yield negative results, thus not intelligent. We have all been guilty of "insanity" in our lives by constantly choosing the wrong mate's or by driving the same way to work in the construction zone. Thinking outside the box of conformity or habit is also a form of intelligence in that we grasp the facts and learn from them. Gaining intelligence is akin to growing emotional maturity in that as we experience life we continue to grow in our knowledge and the working's of life.

There are many facets to acting and living intelligently, and moreover, being perceived as intelligent, which is living the role itself. Actually, having said that, intelligence is not so much a role but rather who you are as a person. This is to say that you can only fake intelligence for a short period of time before your role is over and discovered otherwise by others. In society, the con men may get away with seemingly intelligent banter or monologue for a short period, but the real intellects will come forth as a perennial person of truth and intelligence.

So in closing, if we are to speak of a "role" of intelligence, we want to know that our leaders of government, state, corporation, or even household are intelligent people. We want decision makers to be well informed and to perform proper discovery of a situation in order to make rational decisions rather than being irrational and thoughtless. The role of intelligence is imperative in order to get things done, and as for America and other civilized countries, that's how it's always been.

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