Newsletter

Understanding and Improving Intelligence2022-06-12

Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.

Henry Ford

Intelligence is about understanding and improving the world around you, and can in turn be understood and improved. There are 3 types of intelligence: emotional intelligence (eQ), execution intelligence (xQ), and conceptual intelligence (iQ). Each of them has an understanding and improvement component.

Emotional intelligence is about how well you understand other people, and how well you get along with other people. It is related to optimal anxiety/reactivity in interactions with other individuals. May be associated with empathy and mirror neurons.

Execution intelligence is about how well you understand what needs to be done, and how well you get things done. It is related to optimal mood/activity. May be associated with fast thinking when encountering simple known patterns. Conceptual intelligence is about how well you understand ideas/concepts presented to you, and how well are you able to generate new ideas/concepts. It is related to optimal cognition/connectivity. May be associated with slow thinking when encountering complex new patterns.

Intelligence is not fixed, it can vary based on brain health state, and can be increased through learning and practice. In essence, intelligence is the speed of connecting the sensing with the proper response. It is dependent on efficiency (speed of connection) and effectiveness (the right connection). In the brain, it may be dependent on neuronal membrane fluidity, myelination and synapses. Because of their effects on membrane fluidity and myelination, omega-3 fatty acids may be a good way to increase intelligence, along with practice and learning.

Machine learning can increase artificial intelligence, primarily for execution intelligence, less so for conceptual intelligence, and least of all for emotional intelligence. Humans have opposite and complementary strengths to machines. We are still needed—for now.

The 3 types of intelligence can be represented as dimensions in a tri-dimensional space, creating an intelligence landscape (Intelliscape). Our Life x Mind app will have that feature added in the near future, so individuals can assess their own Intelliscape and improve it as needed through practice and learning!

Live. Happier. Longer.