Saturday, May 20, 2006

Think You’re Really Smart? Think Again.

Last night we were talking of extended sleeping habits and someone said that only babies sleep 11 hours a day. Kunal Sawardekar quietly says, “Babies are smarter than we give them credit for.”

“Smart? What does he know,” I think to myself. “I’d like to meet the baby that can solve quadratic equations or expound upon Post-Keynesian Economics!”

But a little thought put into the matter convinced me that he was quite right -- babies are way smarter than we think! Imagine having to do nothing all day expect sleep, eat, shit, look cute and maybe burp once in a while! What’s smarter, I ask you? Working your ass off to earn millions? Or doing the things I just described above everyday?

Sure, they may not know much about science, philosophy, literature, art or anything of the sort. They may not be able to change a flat tire or cook. They certainly can’t hold their own in a debate. But here’s the deal -- they don’t have to! They’ve already got it made!

People with dogs often tell me that dogs are much smarter than cats. “No, they’re not,” I counter.

“Try teaching a cat how to pull a sled, fetch the newspaper or catch a Frisbee in its mouth,” they offer, with a look of smug satisfaction on their faces.

“Yeah,” I say. “My argument exactly!”

Cats are smart enough to see work for what it really is -- work! It’s not that they’re so stupid that they can’t learn any of these tasks; it’s just that they’re so smart they don’t want to! Meanwhile the dog, stupid as it is, lets itself get trained into performing silly tasks for its master. That’s not smart.

I’m thoroughly convinced that babies, if they wanted, are smart enough to take over the world. Heck! Think about it -- they already have! All their needs are serviced by a willing posse of adults. What’s the hardest thing they have to do all day? Get pinched on the cheek every once in a while. And put up with “Oh! What cutie little baby! Aww...”! That’s about it! Life’s a breeze!

I’m going to feed my cat now.

7 comments:

PC said...

hey, are you in the same college as kunal?

FifthBeatle said...

visionunseen - if you're referring to the kunal in my post.. then no, i'm not in the same college as him (well.. unofficially he's in the same college as me, but tht's a long story!) .. how do you know him anyways?

PC said...

yes, i was referring to kunal sawardekar. and i don't exactly know him, though i've had close coincidental brushes on more than one occasions. not such a long story, but also not suitable content for this blog's comment section. (perhaps for his, when it returns from hibernation!)

FifthBeatle said...

visionunseen - am indeed piqued now.. almost enought to try and spur the guy to resume frequent blogging just to hear the story...

FifthBeatle said...

freaky chakra - no man, never read the book.. i will... someday! :)

_dirtboy said...

You just trying to get a shot wit the chics.. a la chandler & joey (i disremember the season)..

FifthBeatle said...

facesmasher - sure.. whatever..