Knowledge is Dangerous — Why Intelligent People Struggle to Find Happiness
Highly intelligent people tend to be deep thinkers, over analytical and put a lot of pressure on themselves to succeed. As a result, this means their personality type will not allow them to go with the flow or be stress free.
The brain is our body’s most powerful organ, to be oblivious to your surroundings most likely suggests you won’t stress about the small stuff. However, a high level of intelligence requires a high level of observation and understanding of the world around you; knowledge is power, but knowledge is also dangerous.
Over analytical
A common personality trait of a highly intelligent person is wanting to make absolutely sure that they are making the right decisions. Therefore, they will over analyse and consider every possibility in any situation they find themselves in. This makes it increasingly difficult for them to find confidence in their natural reactions and decisions.
To overthink most situations in your life can be draining, frustrating and leave you feeling uncertain. This is a common occurrence for intelligent people, as they always feel the need to look for answers, even if the situation is out of their control.
Highly sensitive
Intelligent people tend to be highly sensitive. This is one of the reasons why they are so aware of the actions of others around them and become very good at reading people. They like to feel assured of what people’s motives are when starting up communication with them.
They Think Deeply
Intelligence comes from thinking very deeply about the world. Being caught up in deep thought can take you away from truly being in the moment. If you aren’t living in the here and now, are you really living? However, it is not just the deep thoughts that can lead to unhappiness, it is the fear of being misunderstood.
An intelligent person may feel concerned that their perspectives on the world may not be shared by those around them, causing them to feel misunderstood and underappreciated.
High Standards
An intelligent person won’t settle if they feel they can do better; they may even hold unrealistic high standards. Such as who they choose to surround themselves with, undermining their own achievements and expecting the world to go along with their plans or ideas. The realisation that not everything that they expect will come to them is likely to leave them feeling disappointed and frustrated with the world.
They Put Pressure on Themselves
Intelligent people know what they are capable of, but they always want to be better. If they do something well, it is likely their next thought will be “What can I do to make it better next time?”. This common mentality will leave intelligent people to never truly feel satisfied with what they have and what they have achieved; in their minds, complacency and contention with one’s current ability is the key to failure. They must strive to improve themselves at all times. In return, they will never truly feel happy with who they are.
There is a rich theme of great and creative minds who have suffered to gain their knowledge and have labelled themselves “deep thinkers”. We can take for example music artists; Tyler, the Creator quotes in his song “November”:
“What if I thought the brake was the gas? What if I crashed?/ What if these deep thoughts was my last?/ Let me pull over, quick!”
We also see Kendrick Lamar in his song “FEAR.” rapping:
“I’ll prolly die from one of these bats and blue badges/ Body-slammed on black and white paint, my bones snappin’/ Or maybe die from panic or die from bein’ too lax/ Or die from waitin’ on it, die ’cause I’m movin’ too fast/ I’ll prolly die tryna buy weed at the apartments/ I’ll prolly die tryna defuse two homies arguin’/ I’ll prolly die ’cause that’s what you do when you’re 17/ All worries in a hurry, I wish I controlled things”
Another example can be taken from Loyle Carner in his song “Ain’t Nothing Changed” where he raps:
“Say they got my back and that they’re praying
I’mma pave the way
Like it’s the great escape, brothers doing better than me
I’m in a hurry, worry, what if they forget about me?
I’m just another number nothing when the cheque will bounce
See now we’re moving for money
But there’s nothing but debt around me
So when the rest have found me buggin’ in the brain
And I’m somewhere between the struggle and the strain”
The most successful and meaningful creative minds are typically the ones who have suffered the most in their lifetimes and probably still experience internal struggles to this day. It is through this that they are able to remain creative and intelligent.
Is it really worth putting your happiness at risk in order to succeed? Would you prefer to prioritise your own life and be happy for your lifetime? Or would you prefer to suffer for knowledge if it meant you had the potential to contribute something to humanity in the long term? Well you’re smart enough, you can work that one out for yourself.
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