Now that the computer science discipline of machine learning and what we call “artificial intelligence” has been able to take advantage of FPU hardware tech created for video games, and produce, at last, useful applications for the non-specialist, we’re forced to dive into a question we have been putting off what a while.
I guess people of lesser intelligence imagine stories that don't translate well to reality. And the truly intellectually unendowed can't even appreciate stories at all (The ones too dumb to comprehend hypotheticals).
We had a cat that was constantly trying to open the lever door handles in our house. Luckily she wasn't skilled enough to do it often, but she never stopped trying, as she knew!
"Intelligence is the ability to tell stories. Yes, yes, I hear you chortling in the back, there...."
Sir, you will hear no chortling from me! This is a trenchant insight and dazzling; so much so that I unwisely interrupted further reading to pen my lauds and applause for this line.
I am reminded of Jordan Peterson's lucubration along similar lines regarding the paramount nature of story-telling to human thought and consciousness.
As a Christian, I accept as unarguable that man is made in the image and likeness of the Creator, which would mean, a fortiori, that man is blessed with a fundamental faculty of creative thought, a craving to adorn our artifacts with art not found in lesser beasts, or find words fit and fair, not just for poetry, but common speech.
Thank you.
PS:
That I am also a science fiction writer, if one of humble account, inclines me also to regard your speculation favorably. Even if it turns out not to be true that intelligence is storytelling ability in a literal sense, to be sure, it makes a good story.
I guess people of lesser intelligence imagine stories that don't translate well to reality. And the truly intellectually unendowed can't even appreciate stories at all (The ones too dumb to comprehend hypotheticals).
We had a cat that was constantly trying to open the lever door handles in our house. Luckily she wasn't skilled enough to do it often, but she never stopped trying, as she knew!
Great post as always
"Intelligence is the ability to tell stories. Yes, yes, I hear you chortling in the back, there...."
Sir, you will hear no chortling from me! This is a trenchant insight and dazzling; so much so that I unwisely interrupted further reading to pen my lauds and applause for this line.
I am reminded of Jordan Peterson's lucubration along similar lines regarding the paramount nature of story-telling to human thought and consciousness.
As a Christian, I accept as unarguable that man is made in the image and likeness of the Creator, which would mean, a fortiori, that man is blessed with a fundamental faculty of creative thought, a craving to adorn our artifacts with art not found in lesser beasts, or find words fit and fair, not just for poetry, but common speech.
Thank you.
PS:
That I am also a science fiction writer, if one of humble account, inclines me also to regard your speculation favorably. Even if it turns out not to be true that intelligence is storytelling ability in a literal sense, to be sure, it makes a good story.