Re: Are there any non-gifted scientists?!?!?

From: Quinn (iget_at_toomuchspam.blah)
Date: 05/10/04 

Date: Mon, 10 May 2004 14:59:10 GMT

"Der Fugue" said:

> Given, I'm not going to become an outstanding student overnight. Most
> students I'm competing with have been working hard since elementary
> school, so I should expect to have to work much harder than them to
> obtain similar grades until I "catch up". But the problem is that I
> may never truly "catch up", especially if I'm taking difficult classes
> with really bright kids in college, because I may simply not have the
> intellectual ability. Talent in math and the sciences exists, it
> certainly isn't completely accounted for by IQ but I'm sure IQ plays a
> large role in it.

All of my IQ, and $1.50, won't get me a coffee at Starbucks these days.

The things in my life that have been fruitful and multiplied have been those
things into which I was willing to invest the greatest amount of sustained
effort. By sustained effort, I mean years of white midnights, rather than
weeks or months. IQ tests do not tend to measure the results of the kinds or
problems that take years to budge an inch. In order to be successful as a
scientist, IMO, you must possess the kind of PQ (persistence quotient) to
tackle big problems for long periods, for few (or no) tangible rewards.

Having an IQ of 120 rather than 165+ may actually be to your advantage in
this respect, since you may find that your "effing brilliant" peers are off
chasing the butterflies of every passing non-linear whim that comes their
way. While the brilliant push their latest pursuit to their stack, run off
to pursue the shimmer and glimmer of their latest interest, you may find
yourself buried in the foundations required to pursue what you consider your
"more limited" potential. While they may one day pop their original goals
from the stack as the new and latest bores them and they return to the
pursuits of their youth, you'll have already made it through the major
hurdles and fundaments of mathematics. They may find their funding has dried
up when they return to their first love. Serious mathematics is not for the
fickle.

Never underestimate the value of perseverance, since it can trump brilliance
and genius. The race is not always to the swift.

You seem, from your post, to possess the required degree of articulateness
to communicate your goals and dreams to others. Take advantage of that with
your career counselors, and do periodic reality checks as you progress along
your path. Re-assess your interests periodically. Jump into the fray, bang
your effort against those things that you wish to achieve, and see what
happens. Coming out of it having made a few adjustments won't harm you in
any way.

Good luck. 

--
Quinn
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