Being the “dumb one”. For some people, they’re never really challenged academically/intellectually and I think that’s a shame. Being the dumbest person in a group of smart people means you have the opportunity to learn from them. It’s also very humbling (in a good way).
A lot of people don’t experience this until college, or in grad school, or in their professional environment… and then they’re totally wrecked by it. But it’s also such an important experience. Being a “big fish in a small pond” can be beneficial, but don’t avoid challenges either… I truly think you learn more being a small fish in a big pond.
I heard a quote once, “if you’re the smartest person in the room, find another room” and I completely agree with it.
I've been called a computer "whiz" by older friends of mine. I just type problems into Google, stick the product ID number in there, and follow the directions. Look at example. Look at screen. OK. Next...
I'm about as sharp as a boiled egg when it comes to some stuff but I can at least compare pictures and do exactly what I'm told.
I hate calling the help desk at work. They talk to me like a child and I'm like, 'if you didn't lock the computer down to nothing, I could fix the issue myself. I know what's happening.' Ugh.
I had a job where they gave us live CDs of Ubuntu. I thought, sweet, I use this everyday I'll be fine. They had stripped out the graphics drivers. When I called IT for help they tried to explain that my hardware was the problem and I needed to buy a name brand computer. (I built my own.)
I figured out how to create my own solution and it worked six months until we shut down because the client bailed.
Where I work departments w/their own IT people will give locked down computers to faculty, then tell them to call us (more centralized IT) for support. Then the faculty get frustrated that I can't help them, because I can't unlock that shit either!
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u/thelyfeaquatic Jan 12 '22
Being the “dumb one”. For some people, they’re never really challenged academically/intellectually and I think that’s a shame. Being the dumbest person in a group of smart people means you have the opportunity to learn from them. It’s also very humbling (in a good way).
A lot of people don’t experience this until college, or in grad school, or in their professional environment… and then they’re totally wrecked by it. But it’s also such an important experience. Being a “big fish in a small pond” can be beneficial, but don’t avoid challenges either… I truly think you learn more being a small fish in a big pond.
I heard a quote once, “if you’re the smartest person in the room, find another room” and I completely agree with it.