Pompous Wordy Intellectualism Versus Wisdom

I was told by someone with a BA that the process of going to a university was to realize how little you know.  Though that point was made by Socrates, the majority of those who I have met that have attended university act like they know everything.  Often it takes time spent with the 'Lower Classes' to realize that some knowledge can't be taught in a classroom.

It wasn't too long ago I was at a party where one of my relatives brought over friends who are at the far end of the intellectual spectrum.  These two were so much up their own asses that they couldn't hear you when you were trying to make a point.  They were so much the intellectual superior, that if it required thinking, they were 'Far more qualified' to making it than you were.  'Ask once and listen twice' is what I try to adhere to.  People have a lot to teach...you just have to really listen.  The linear thinkers have dominated the realm of intelligence.  This guy was testing my ability to follow along his linear progression of thought;  I went lateral.  In his limited thinking, there was only one right answer; the one in his head.  They are fools...intelligent - fools.

Want to play a joke on a linear thinker?  Walk into a room with your right sleeve rolled up and the left down.  When they complain that you 'Aren't symmetrical', roll up your left pant leg.

It's easy to think that, when it comes to wisdom, intelligence is the highest factor.  The ability to listen and the willingness to understand what someone is saying and where they are coming from are equally important.  I used to ask people questions that I knew the answer from several other sources because I wanted to know how they would answer.  We put our faith in the linear thinkers in an age of isolation (due to a reliance on technology) and we are just asking for trouble.  These people will base their thoughts on other thoughts that they've had and so on.  It's a tower built on sand.

Journalists who travel along the spectrum of over-intellectualism are dazzling wordsmiths but that doesn't mean what they say is actually the truth.  You can enjoy how they say something but you also have to have your own opinion and not be blinded by flash and mirrors.

I was actually going to break down an article written by a journalist who, I just found out, is local. He teaches creative writing at one of the universities.  His writing is cryptic, lofty and lacks wisdom.  I might reconsider but right now I just want to get the lay of the land a bit more.