Comments on: It is not only about being Smart: Being Smart is Too Easy http://www.moneyandinvesting.net/2007/12/13/it-is-not-only-about-being-smart-being-smart-is-too-easy/ Making you richer every day. Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:16:54 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Flexo http://www.moneyandinvesting.net/2007/12/13/it-is-not-only-about-being-smart-being-smart-is-too-easy/comment-page-1/#comment-1498 Flexo Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:21:28 +0000 http://www.moneyandinvesting.net/?p=95#comment-1498 This entire article is written with a very nasty and incorrect assumption -- that being *perceived* as "smart" is the same thing as *being* smart and provides the same benefits. You say "Being smart can be learned" and then proceed to write about ways to *seem* smart, not be smart. I agree that execution is important -- people who *are* smart (not just *appear* smart) will be more likely to execute. People who are *not* smart may execute, but their execution will not be as worthwhile. For example, I don't want someone without a certain level of mathematical intelligence (ie., without "smarts") piloting a plane (execution of a difficult task that requires this intelligence). I don't want someone who is not smart negotiating a business deal on my behalf, either. Maybe the not-smart person will get it done faster -- but at what expense? This entire article is written with a very nasty and incorrect assumption — that being *perceived* as “smart” is the same thing as *being* smart and provides the same benefits.

You say “Being smart can be learned” and then proceed to write about ways to *seem* smart, not be smart.

I agree that execution is important — people who *are* smart (not just *appear* smart) will be more likely to execute. People who are *not* smart may execute, but their execution will not be as worthwhile. For example, I don’t want someone without a certain level of mathematical intelligence (ie., without “smarts”) piloting a plane (execution of a difficult task that requires this intelligence).

I don’t want someone who is not smart negotiating a business deal on my behalf, either. Maybe the not-smart person will get it done faster — but at what expense?

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