Here’s the thing…
I’ve read sentences in this vein a lot lately:
“Only work with intelligent people” or “I only want to work with smart people”
Here’s the thing about that. In some circumstances I realize that it is maybe meant as a retroactive compliment to the people a person has already worked with. By establishing that one holds this standard they are implying that the people they have worked with have met it.
Here’s my plea and problem with it:
You are excluding a lot of good people by making this statement. It sounds selfish in a way that is beyond the usual self-centeredness of a regular person. It’s like saying “I will only work with people who satisfy my personal intellectual boner.”. It leaves no room for charitable intentions the way it is phrased. The ven diagram of sexual attraction and intellectual collaboration is obviously not free of intersection, but satisfaction from work collaboration is diverse in mostly different ways than sexual satisfaction.
Working with people who are generally un-intelligent, inexperienced, or less intelligent than yourself has as much potential for great satisfaction as it does frustration. I know a lot of excellent people who work in special education for instance, and who deepy enjoy it, but for sure have frustrating days. But even outside of the “things you can’t disagree with morally” category, there are plain old great teachers and professors everywhere fighting against intellectual decline by working with idiots called “students”. Being a person of pretty mediocre intelligence and talent, I have felt super grateful when people more intelligent or talented than I have taken a second to work with me. I have also been happy to pass on knowledge when I have it to give, and it’s pretty great when a willing person gives me the opportunity to help them and I manage to come through.
I’m saying that I think the intentions of these statements is better stated with something like:
“Don’t work with jerks” or
“Don’t work with the intolerant.” or
“Don’t work with the willfully ignorant.” or
“Don’t work with people who don’t ask questions.”
Basically my point is
“Worship your intellect, being seen as smart - you will end up feeling stupid, a fraud, always on the verge of being found out.” - David Foster Wallace
I wish I had a good joke to lighten things up and end this with. I’ll put one in later if I think of it. Not like anyone will actually read this shit anyways.
Thanks!
Tom
