Digital Children

Developing intellectual growth and nurturing intelligence in ways that are likely to ultimately benefit society is of upmost importantance. But just as important is the developement and emphasis on character and values. The smarter the person, the greater the possible impact - good or bad.

I think this blog gives weight to Kohlberg's stages of moral development. I'll be honest, I don't remember them all off hand but there are three levels each requiring more ability to think abstractly and use logic combined with empathic reasoning. Sadly, being able to assert morals at Kohlbergs highest level of development doesn't mean a person might not slip back into a lower stage and do domething just to avoid punishment. Kohlberg maintains that humans fluctuate up and down the scale throughout thier lives, but just being able to get to the highest stage is a reflection of superior moral intellect.

The very nature of profound intellect (profound, and not just high) circumvents morals, character, personality, etc.

Let's agree that the smarter one is perceived to be, the more influence the individual may have.

Let's agree that in order to prevent more Pinky and the Brain type Mad Scientists, trying to Take Over the World, smarts should be multi-packaged, equipped with morals, ethics, and empathy.

Now lets talk human nature. Point of fact, higher intellect seems to correlate with less regard for the feelings, lives, and general being of others. Why is that? When teaching gifted children, instructors are often made aware of the discordancy between intelligence and sociability. Really smart (not just studied up, tutored up, tested up kids who are Mommy's Little Einsteins)children seem to have trouble making and keeping friends. Some research evaluates that their greater knowledge creates a rift in communication. Very early on, these children learn that they are "different" from others, in an age where everyone wants you to be "normal."

The profoundly gifted individual may often distance himself from less intelligent people. and the smarter you are, the fewer peers you are likely to find. Thus, interest in others diminishes.

Then morals and ethics, to the profound intellect, are represented in the scope of what they are: social mechanisms. And if I am smarter than you, therefore better than you, why need I play by your rules?

I'm not saying every really gifted person thinks in this way. What I am trying to point out, however, is that high intellectuality bends the rules of social convention.

Indeed, rather than being dilligent about improving our children's I.Q.'s, we should be more effective in improving all other aspects of their lives. Studies show that high I.Q. has very little to do with propensity for success.

So maybe we should can the commercialized "learning games" and all go play some dress-up, pirates, and mud-pie making. I'd rather have a happy kid than a stressed out brainiac anyday.