I'm increasingly dissatisfied with "smart guy" archetypes or personality tropes. "The Sage", "The Magician", "Spock", "Athena", etc.
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Archetypally, "the smart one" or "the wise one" is an advisor or teacher. He/she provides information & guidance to the hero, but stays remote from the action. Often depicted as childless, celibate, and/or elderly.
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"I'm valuable because I bring you information, otherwise don't mind me, I'm low-maintenance and detached" is a tempting social role to fit yourself into, but IMO it's a trap & won't lead to a full life.
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What if the "hero" doesn't value advice or information?
@robinhanson knows something about organizations not being willing to pay for info; it's also been my personal experience. A business that's selling "we can get you the right answer" is limited even if it excels.2 replies 0 retweets 10 likesShow this thread -
What if you're "the smart one" and you're wrong sometimes? What if you have a desire or a talent that has nothing to do with being right? Who are you when you're not being "the smart one"?
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The most intelligent people I've ever met (e.g. Fields medalists) are married and have children. But "the smart one" as archetype never falls in love or cuddles a baby.
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Identifying yourself with being "rational" or a "thinker" seems like a bad move, for this reason. Reasoning & thinking are valuable skills. They're not identities or archetypes. Any "kind of person" can think. The uniform you wear can't guarantee you're right.
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Identifying as an "interesting" person seems like another trap. Sometimes the truth is basic and not that interesting. Sometimes it makes sense to be passionate, not "interested" in a detached way. Sometimes courage or effort matters more than new ideas.
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