CrazyCat

Aequalsa, thank you for your informative post. I think you're really on the right track when it comes to this topic. You've come up with some great suggestions, truly. I'll have to pick up that book on critical thinking. I think a few concrete things will really help us to become smarter. Certainly, it couldn't hurt to turn off the TV a little more and actually engage ourselves in the process of learning. I agree that learning and intelligence are very hard to define and measure. I found an interesting web page recently that hits on most of the subjects you addressed in your last post, including subjects like induction and memory capacity. The <link removed> is a non-profit organization that devotes itself to intellectual development. In fact, I found it funny that their <link removed> web page explains basically everything you just did. I think their research is probably aiming in the right direction, though I don't quite understand how they will come up with a concrete measure of learning progress. Imagine the usefulness of such a measure, if it could be implemented! Their work is certainly better than the current IQ tests out there, though. At least the organization appears credible. So, where do we go from here? I'd love to learn more about the connection between nutrition, exercise, and intellectual development. That'd be some fascinating research, if we could find it. Anybody have some juicy ideas? Thanks!

Felix, How exactly does "image streaming" help me develop intelligence? I think that may be something to help me long term. I want to increase my IQ, but in my mind that's just a side effect of the ultimate goal--increased intellectual ability. Where can I learn more about that? Do you know any good books or websites? Anyone else have other ideas for how to actually become more intelligent? I don't want to just do better on tests. I want to truly develop my mental abilities. There's got to be something or a few things our there that will actually work. Thanks!

Good points, guys. I think we're all interested in becoming a little more intelligent. Like I said in my earlier post, I'd really like to improve my mental abilities and actually become smarter. Kind of like you were saying about the game--you get to see a few moves ahead in your mind. I don't care so much about the IQ tests themselves as much as what they measure: the ability and capacity to learn. You know what I mean--actual intelligence, however it is that that's defined. I think there's got to be some scientific way to develop intellectual skills, not just do better on IQ tests. How do I develop thos critical thinking and analytical skills you're talking about? I think that's the heart of the matter. If I develop those skills, will that make me more intelligent, or do we get back to the "IQ is static" statement a lot of people seem to believe in. Personally, I believe humans have such trememndous capacity for growth physically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally--why not intellcetually as well? Any other ideas to help develop these critical thinking skills and actually BECOME smarter, not just do better on tests? Anyone else think the same way I do? Disagree? I'd like to know what the world at large thinks about the subject, plus I'd love some ideas on how to actually become smarter. I think it would improve everyone's life if we were all able to learn better and become smarter quicker. Thanks for your suggestions and input!

Hi everyone, Can I increase my IQ? I just Googled "increase IQ." and the first result told me I couldn't increase my IQ, while the second result gave me several ways I could. I don't really know for sure, but it seems to me that I should be able to get smarter. I CAN learn after all. So, is IQ a static thing, or is it something I can increase? I'd love to become smarter, not just do better on IQ tests. It's not like I'm a complete idiot--I'm already pretty smart, but I don't quite get up to MENSA levels on my IQ tests. Any recommendations or ideas on how to improve IQ? Is it possible or not? If I CAN increase my IQ, where do I go to do so? I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering about this. Let's get a real discussion going. Any ideas for mental improvement? Thanks!