Synthesis

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“Whatever you are, be a good one.” – Abraham Lincoln

My best friend since second grade, Katie, was telling her college aged daughter that I was one of the smartest people she knows. I laughed knowing all the stupid stuff I’ve done over all the years that Katie is very well aware. But getting my bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering was one of those things that made people think of me as smart and so I just smiled.

But it also struck me that it’s been a long time since someone called me smart. And then I heard a 10 Percent Happier Podcast yesterday that explained why that might be. The podcast featured Arthur Brooks, a professor at Harvard who has just written a book From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life. In it, he discusses two types of intelligence: fluid intelligence and crystallized intelligence.

Fluid intelligence is raw smarts, solving problems and doing it quickly, thinking very quickly. It is the brain power of young brains and it starts to decline in our mid-30’s to 50. Young tech entrepreneurs tend to rely on a lot of fluid intelligence.

Crystallized intelligence is what emerges as fluid intelligence declines. It is the ability to synthesize so that we become better story-tellers, teachers and are able to put ideas together and explain them to others. Historians are great examples of people that are using their crystallized intelligence to its fullest potential.

Which brings me back to thinking about my friend Katie. She graduated with honors as the 11th in our high school class and I graduated 12th. The reason I go to Katie for advice isn’t because she’s smart – it’s because she’s wise, kind and understanding. Most often, she is using her crystallized intelligence to relate the stories of her life to mine.

It also struck me that with those descriptions, all of us over 50 bloggers are in our sweet spot. Telling stories and synthesizing life, we are making the most of our crystallized intelligence as it starts to come to the fore. And if I’ve done a decent job telling this story, you all should be feeling great that you are right where you need to be!

(featured photo from Pexels)

35 thoughts on “Synthesis”

  1. “It also struck me that with those descriptions, all of us over 50 bloggers are in our sweet spot. Telling stories and synthesizing life, we are making the most of our crystallized intelligence as it starts to come to the fore. And if I’ve done a decent job telling this story, you all should be feeling great that you are right where you need to be!”

    Oh, this makes me feel really good! Thanks for this post! A real feel good piece!!

    Liked by 3 people

  2. It absolutely makes sense from an anthropological perspective also, that those of us in the second half of our lives pass on the stories and lessons learned.
    A lovely piece, as always Wynne. You are smart! I love your stories.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. What a smart comment, Shelley! (Oh, and is it okay for me to call you that and do I have your name right?) Yes, now that you say it, I can see exactly why this kind of thinking would be so useful.

      And thanks for the affirmation! 🙂 Now I know when my kids don’t want to do something why I don’t reason with them and instead tell them stories. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  3. I could not love this post more. I think I’ll have to check out the book you mentioned, once I finish “Atlas of the Heart” by Brene Brown. I’ve come to realize, at 55, that despite evidence to the contrary from my younger days, I am smart. Smart in important ways, yet still eager to keep learning and improving. Being in my 50’s is indeed sweet.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. What a lovely comment, Rhonda! I’m a big fan of Brene Brown too and having been thumbing through Atlas of the Heart. I think it’s interesting that Brene must have right around late 40’s-early 50’s too when her TedX talk went viral because she’s such a great story-teller and synthesizer!

      I love that you have updated your self-awareness of your smarts and are loving life in your 50’s! May we all continue to learn and improve. Best to you!

      Liked by 2 people

  4. That was an uplifting post to read, thank you! You used the word wisdom the other day in a comment and I think that’s how I look at my level of smarts being well over 50. There are multiple ways to be smart and at this age most of us have probably had lots of practice attempting to figure things out. I amaze myself sometimes, especially when I’m with the grands and find myself able to not only give life wisdom but factual tidbits. Those things make me pause and contemplate just where and when I learned or internalized some of that information.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m so glad that you liked it Deb. Great point about calling smarts “wisdom.” A wonderful way to synthesize what I think Arthur Brooks was talking about.

      Isn’t it amazing all the things little kids can ask about? A whole other level of recall and exploration they enrich our lives with — as we get to share our wisdom with them!

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Interesting. I’m definitely past fluid intelligence but it’s exciting to know that I have crystallized intelligence and along with the wisdom gained through my life experiences it should serve me well.

    I’m also excited to learn where Arthur Brooks is these days. I used to listen to him on his podcast ~ The Art Of Happiness ~ but there hasn’t been any new content since last July. By following your links, I found out The Atlantic is doing a podcast series called ~ How to Build a Happy Life ~ with none other than Arthur Brooks. 😀 Thank you for this post.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m going to have to look up that old podcast series. Thanks, Nancy. He said in the podcast that his website at arthurbrooks.com provides all the links to his current activity.

      Reading your work, I know you have both intelligence and wisdom in spades! Thanks for reading and commenting!

      Liked by 2 people

  8. Thank you for putting a smile on my face on this wintery Canadian Friday evening.

    I never knew about the concept of fluid vs crystallized intelligence and I can see the benefits of both. How wonderful that the lessons we learned through our younger years can then be shared back in our older years. I love this.

    I can definitely see your intelligence – fluid and crystallized – at play in your
    writing. And how nice to have a lifelong friend to lean on and to grow up and older with together!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. So glad it made you smile! I like how you put it – the two types of intelligence coming full circle. Great point!

      And such a nice compliment, Ab! I know you are a bit young for Arthur Brooks onset of crystallized intelligence but I see both at work in your writing and parenting. I think T might be accelerating your wisdom curve. 😀

      Enjoy the long weekend!

      Liked by 2 people

  10. Thank you for sharing interesting theories and story!!.. not only something to share with others, but have it stored in one’s heart, to visit from time to time, especially when confronted with life’s challenges… it may be something this ole born again heathen often refer to as memories… and every day I venture out in hopes of making new memories, perhaps with another someone.. “Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.” (Author Unknown)…. 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May the road rise to meet you
    May the wind be always at your back
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    The rains fall soft upon your fields
    May green be the grass you walk on
    May blue be the skies above you
    May pure be the joys that surround you
    May true be the hearts that love you.
    (Irish Saying)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ha, ha! Yes, you have a few years until Arthur Brook’s definition. But clearly you are a great story-teller already. My theory is that kids might speed up the curve towards wisdom! 🙂 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  12. This is another wonderful post Wynne! When I was growing up, the words used to describe fluid and crystallized intelligence were “book smarts” and “street smarts”. My father used to say that i was the smartest one of the kids, yet I was the one who struggled through math and got the worst grades in school. I guess I must have been hiding behind the door when they were passing out the book smarts! Happily, I relied on my street smarts and a little humor to get me though life. We go with what we’ve got, right? 😉

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So interesting that you’ve made the connection to book smarts and street smarts. I hadn’t thought of that. Well, I’d say humor and wisdom are a pretty good package and you’ve clearly used them well, Julia! 🙂 ❤

      Liked by 1 person

  13. To be able to share experiences, explain things and put them together requires an intelligence that we don’t credit much. Having read this post I realize how necessary it is to listen to the wisdom!

    Liked by 1 person

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