Three Random Thoughts on a Rainy Sunday

On Group Thinking:

When you spend major time with a group of people (especially in this period of Social Media), you find that over time, you begin to think exactly like them. Be it in terms of financial opinions, loosely held beliefs and crazy ideologies, you begin to consciously or unconsciously accept it.

People who fall into the trap of group thinking, find that they can not think for themselves.

They rely on public opinions to form their beliefs on a given topic. They rely on public sentiment to form opinions. In the rare instances where they do think for themselves, they are quick to change it to fit into the public perspective.

How can One avoid Group Thinking:

Learn about things before forming your own opinion. Don't just rush into having an opinion because others have an opinion. When you carefully learn about things before you develop an opinion on them, it helps you build a formidable opinion.

Also, it is important to note that Group Thinking is not inherently bad. When you find that you are not as smart as you desire to be, find associations of smart people. Hang out with them. Soon enough, you will assimilate their habits and imbibe their principles.

On Talent and Hard Work:

Something I find resplendent among high achievers is their denial of talent (and for some, luck).

A high achiever would be the very first to tell you that they are not talented. Yet, you can see it, their talent shining in all its glory.

You wonder, do they take me for a fool or are they just trying to make me feel better?

But more times than not, it is hard work and habit(s) you see, not talent.

They obsessively and diligently work hard at their job, rather than passionately working at it. They feel no special attachment to the job they do. They do it because they have to do it rather than because they are passionate about it.

Talent is very beautiful, but we know talented people whose talents are wasting while we rarely know hard workers who are not benefiting from the fruit of their labor.

And the beauty of it is that hard work makes you so better than the talented person. In every single aspect.

A personal note from me:

At times like this, I wonder. Am I a hard worker or am I passionate? I would be truly scared if I find out that I do not work as hard as I desire to.

Difference between Wisdom and Smartness:

Now if you know me, I try not to dwell on random discourse. Wisdom, Intelligence, Smartness. They all look same to me. Why should I attempt to differentiate them?

But reading Paul Graham's essays during the weekend, he said something in distinguishing Wisdom and Smartness that can't seem to get off my head.

He said 'Wisdom is the eradication of childish traits while Smartness is the enhancement of childish traits.

Trust me, if this was you, it would not leave your head too.

He went further to explain:

Wisdom appreciates the eradication of childish behaviour - self control, modesty, ability to remain silent, ability not to act impulsive, etc

On the other hand, Smartness involves promotion of childish habits - a unique ability to be curious, impulsive, talking about things you know (which contravenes the rules of modesty), etc

It makes me ask - At what point can we say a person is smart as opposed to the fact that a person is wise?

I don't know. I also don't know if there is a difference that comes with this knowledge.

Because I said three random thoughts, I would have to end my rambling here.

I have been reading more stories on how people are able to shoot themselves from the dredges of poverty into limelight through their hard work. These stories serves as a motivation to my belief that - 'Whatever my mind can conceive of, can become my reality'

P.S: You should check out Paul Graham' essays. My personal best is Cities and Ambitions. He is really 'wise'.

P.S.S: I guess another differentiating factor between wisdom and smartness is how knowledgeable they are about different industries.