Do People with High Intelligence Have Difficulty Comprehending Books and Movies?
Do People with High Intelligence Have Difficulty Comprehending Books and Movies?
Have you ever come across a situation where someone with a high IQ struggled to understand a book or a film? This article will explore the relationship between intelligence and the ability to comprehend complex literary works and cinematic stories.
Understanding Intelligence and Its Role in Comprehension
The definition of intelligence is often defined as the ability to process symbols and solve problems. It is a cognitive skill that enables individuals to make logical deductions and analyze information. However, many misconceptions exist regarding how intelligence affects one's ability to understand complex works of art and entertainment.
High intelligence does not necessarily equate to an easier time comprehending books and movies. In fact, individuals with a high IQ often find words and images challenging, precisely because they can recognize symbols and analyze them with great depth. This higher capability to process and analyze symbols contributes to their overall intelligence.
Examples of High Intelligence Contemplating Complex Works
Consider the example of a student in Class IX who struggled to comprehend a literary work like Toamna Patriarhului. Despite this challenge, the student read the entire book, demonstrating a different aspect of intelligence. Similarly, many bright individuals have a hard time understanding philosophical giants like Kant, Nietzsche, and Hegel, or complex films such as The Big Lebowski and The Matrix. However, they are equally capable of appreciating films like Before Sunrise / After Sunrise and novels by Dostoevsky or Peter Mayle.
Even Stephen Hawking's highly technical and intellectual work, A Brief History of Time, may be challenging to comprehend for many. Nonetheless, an individual with a love for science and an expansive library of literary works might find Physics Explained by Cristian Presura more approachable. Today's reliance on the internet, smartphones, and platforms like Quora can further enrich their understanding of complex subjects.
Confronting Complexity in Artistic Cinema
For individuals who enjoy art house cinema, films by directors such as David Lynch, Stanley Kubrick, Michelangelo Antonioni, Federico Fellini, and Peter Greenaway pose unique challenges. Not every bright person watches films by these directors. Even some film enthusiasts have viewed Kubrick's works, but understanding the full context often proves difficult.
Consider "Eyes Wide Shut," which is often regarded as one of the most intellectually complex films ever made. Despite many critics being flummoxed by its complexity, it is a testament to the depth and richness of artistic cinema that requires a more nuanced understanding and appreciation.
Emotional and Logical Strengths of High Intelligence
People with high intelligence may face challenges in comprehending the emotions and decisions made by characters in books or movies, especially younger individuals. These individuals might find it difficult to relate to the emotional reasoning often present in the average person, prioritizing logic over emotion.
With time and maturation, however, individuals with higher intelligence tend to adapt and understand the role of emotions in human behavior. This is because as they age, they develop a broader understanding of the world, including the often unspoken and irrational aspects of human nature.
In conclusion, the relationship between high intelligence and the ability to comprehend complex literary works and films is multifaceted. While some individuals with a high IQ may struggle with certain texts or films, many more of them appreciate the depth and complexity that these works offer, enriching their intellectual and emotional lives.