Embracing Complexity
Complexities in literature that can often cause struggle, are not indicators of low intelligence. In fact, dense or intricate material that can seem overwhelming should not be avoided, but embraced. The hard work and effort to decode such text often leads to improved comprehension and enhancements in other cognitive domains – Engaging with such difficult texts typically provides the brain with a rigorous cognitive workout. And many areas of cognition can benefit.
Why is it that sometimes when we read, the material is deeply understood at an advanced level and no nuance is missed. While other texts prove to be practically impenetrable and impossible to understand?
Well this is likely due to how “foreign” a text is, outside of our area of expertise. Elusive vocabulary and particularly hard to understand context or sentence constructions can make material daunting. Our poorly executed attempts at constructing meaning can become discouraging when the text simply does not align with our understanding.
Sometimes a text is interlaced with ideas and concepts that are novel and unique and at the same time original, yet the texts can be particularly dense with intricacies that make the narrative or argument difficult to follow.
To eliminate this poor comprehension, it’s important to take time with a text, re reading sentences and segments of the material often. Revisiting difficult parts of the text and approaching it from different angles or under a different lens helps to view the concepts under a different light. Acknowledge how the ideas within the reading reflect and relate to your existing knowledge.
Summarize or reflect on the material each time you complete a paragraph. This ensures you grasp the ideas and concepts fully before moving on to the next segment. It’s important to be patient, intelligent readers are not defined by their ability to understand complex topics with relative ease, instead they are often defined by their ability to embrace complexity and excel when things get difficult.
The determination to understand is what sets good readers apart from ordinary readers. They are more likely to persist when challenges arise. Their dedication and effort to understand is what propels them on a trajectory to advanced comprehension and reading competencies.
Intelligence. Reading vs. General Knowledge.
It’s a common misconception that intelligence refers to one’s ability to recall information from memory, or possess a large volume of general knowledge. In reality, intelligence encompasses much more than these attributes. Intellect is expressed in various ways. One’s ability to interpret and analyze information, and then synthesize the material is more indicative of high level intelligence than recalling all the facts in the world.
Even the greatest thinkers of our past and current age can humbly admit when they are confused or feel inadequate in fields outside of their areas of expertise. No one can learn everything, as existing knowledge is far too vast for any one individual to accumulate everything across all varying subjects or areas of study.
One may feel unsure or even inept at understanding texts or engaging in discussions in areas that they are not versed. This is not indicative of low intelligence, it just means that one’s focus and skill set lies in other areas or domains.
Rather than focusing on what you don’t know-- Pay attention to subjects you already understand, and acknowledge your ability to add your own ideas and insights to these specialized fields. You can always interpret and critically engage with material that falls within your realm of understanding.
Advanced reading comprehension does not mean you will understand everything you read. Quite the contrary, even advanced readers find themselves at a loss when engaged with highly nuanced material in subjects they may find elusive.
General knowledge and recall of factual information does not necessarily equate to improved intelligence. Acknowledging your limitations and the boundaries of your understanding is essential.
Learning and growth are continuous processes. Intelligent people can expand their understanding and grasp the material as these folks tend to more often embrace complexity and excel and overcome challenges when difficulty arises.
Be open to the idea that intelligence is not static, but can grow as you encounter new ideas, and be open to curiosity, which can drive you to become more deliberate in your pursuits to learn and understand areas that you have not yet explored.