Intelligence and Experience

Many define intelligence at least partly as the ability to learn from one’s experiences. If I make a mistake and I’m intelligent I should be able to see what I did wrong, adjust, and avoid the problem in the future. That’s fine, but I have a better definition.

I think what’s even more important is the ability to learn from other peoples’ experiences.

You are only one person making mistakes. It would take forever to gather enough experience from just your own life. The true power comes from being able to actively grow by absorbing the experiences of others — even fictional characters — while watching T.V., movies, reading reading, and observing the lives of those you meet.

Become that person and make the mistakes they make. See where it gets them and incorporate that knowledge into your collective experience as if it were your own. This gives you the wisdom of many.: