The Intelligence Paradox:
It is better to be happy than to be unhappy. And it’s better to be more intelligent than less so. But there seems to
exist a paradox in the world where intelligent people have a tendency to suffer from depression more so than
those who are more simple-minded. Logically, one would think that the intelligent people would be happy with
their place in the world- they have an advantage. Some suggest that the more you know the more bad stuff you
know; the more you realize the wrongs of the world and human existence, and so forth. This in turn leads to
depression. This certainly may be a contributing factor. Also, some people have a genetic predisposition for
depression that is inherited. But I feel there may be a less recognized factor that is also related to genes: humans
evolved to be social beings. We have an ingrained need to be connected to other humans on a mental level. So
what does this have to do with intelligent people being depressed?
I think that social groups or relationships must reach a balance or level of stability in order for the participants to
co-exist comfortably with one another, and to ultimately build deep interpersonal bonds or connections. I think
these bonds are important for maintaining psychological health. There is a kind of center-line on which a social
group balances. This implies that socialization requires a degree of conformity, and I believe this is indeed the
case. The further the participants get from the center-line about which the group is balanced, the less stable the
group becomes; the more difficult they find it to co-exist. This leads to a disruption of the bonding process, and
makes it more difficult to form deeper connections.
When there are extreme personalities within a group, it will be more volatile, but there can still be bonding if the
group members are able to find a way to co-exist. A group with a variety of skills and personalities co-existing has
a natural advantage over a group of very similar people. The bonding of a more diverse group may even
possess greater potential depth specifically because of the fact that it is more difficult to achieve. Balance and
stabilization are indeed possible with groups containing diverse personalities and skill sets. But when a group
member is operating with a greater depth of thought, I believe it is much more difficult to foster a connection within
the group. It makes a two-dimensional balancing act into a three-dimensional one. I feel that most people within
any specific society or grouping generally conform to a standard ‘plane of thought’, making it far easier to foster
connections. Someone who goes deeper with their thinking will find it difficult to connect with others who are
thinking on a completely different level than them. There exists a lack of compatibility. What’s more, because of
the ingrained desire to be social, most others will be satisfied searching for personality compatibility and won’t
pursue much deeper thought.
I do feel though, that the deeper the thinker, the deeper the potential connections can be, but without conformity
to create some form of co-existence, intelligent people will find it difficult to find others on their plane with whom
they are compatible. Thus we have a conundrum to face as humans: Do we want to be happy and conform, or do
we want to go deeper and face the pain? I hope that there is a way to do both, but I suspect it involves the
deeper thinker commuting between levels to satisfy their social needs. The only other solution is to inspire others
to increase their depth of thought. I believe that is ideal.