This is going to take some justification, so please stick with me. From my observations, and I accept that I have done no scientific study on this (but I’m beginning to think that I should!) I think that there is an inverse correlation between intelligence and common sense. I have seen evidence of this both as a teacher, and in my own family. I have several examples that I shall present in evidence of my case.
My brother is undoubtedly a genius – really, our parents had him tested – he was (I’m not sure if he maintains it) a member of MENSA, and has an exceptionally long list of academic achievements. None of this stopped him testing the temperature of water in a kettle by pouring it over his hand, nor from shaking a bottle of ketchup after he’d removed the lid. An incident that went down in infamy, as we happened to be in a hotel dining room at the time.
Fast forward a number of years, and he had graduated with degrees in maths & physics and a PHD in physics, and was doing a postdoc at Oxford. He and his wife (who has a PHD in electrical engineering, and also falls in the genius category) had a microwave that ‘suddenly stopped working’. He came in ranting about testing the circuitry, wires and various other parts – he had taken it apart to base pieces. I listened with half an ear whilst reading Harry Potter and casually asked “Did you check the fuse?”. The silence was resounding, broken by him stomping off. He decided it was his wife’s fault. I haven’t let them live it down.
I have taught a number of top sets in my long and arduous career at the chalkface. Being in a top set for Science, and more specifically top set triple science (which in most schools these days is an option and will fill at least a third of your timetable with science lessons) requires a significant level of dedication. I once asked a triple class to turn to a page and familiarize themselves with the content while I took the register. A little voice piped up “Do you want us to read it, Miss?” Rolling my eyes in exasperation, my sarcastic reply was “No I want you to stare at the pictures!”. I finished registration and looked up to see them all dutifully not blinking at the diagrams….
Strangely, a member of the same class came back to the Science department later in the week in a fluster. He was lost, he had no idea where he was supposed to be… and it turned out he had got the day wrong. Which was why he couldn’t find the gifted and talented meeting he was looking for.
I could go on, but the point of this post: my daughter is in a special school, and now on the gifted and talented pathway (things I thought mutually exclusive). She is exceptionally good with numbers and pattern recognition, but still hasn’t worked out that if you spin around on a waxed hardwood bench in a polyester onesie (see the Exciting Adventures of SuperRainbow) you are going to fall off at speed.
It does polish the bench nicely though.
Raising the Modern Fae 