Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4
Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4 is part of a long series for more than a decade on the high-IQ communities. The following are acknowledgements and the foreword for this volume by Kirk Kirkpatrick, Marios Prodromou, Rick Farrer, and Tor Arne Jørgensen. This is intended as a free public access resource.
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Acknowledgements
For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 1: Manahel Thabet for being the first in this series and giving a gauge on the feasibility of this project, and to Evangelos Katsioulis, Jason Betts, Marco Ripà, Paul Cooijmans, Rick Rosner; in spite of far more men in these communities, it, interview-wise, started with a woman, even the Leo Jung Mensa article arose from the generosity of a woman friend, Jade.
For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 2: Claus Volko, Deb Stone, Erik Haereid, Hasan Zuberi, Ivan Ivec, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Monika Orski, and Rick Rosner.
For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 3: Andreas Gunnarsson, Anja Jaenicke, Christian Sorensen, Claus Volko, Dionysios Maroudas, Florian Schröder, Ronald K. Hoeflin, Erik Haereid, Giuseppe Corrente, Graham Powell, Guillermo Alejandro Escárcega Pliego, HanKyung Lee, James Gordon, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Krystal Volney, Laurent Dubois, Marco Ripà, Matthew Scillitani, Mislav Predavec, Owen Cosby, Richard Sheen, Rick Farrar, Rick Rosner, Sandra Schlick, Tiberiu Sammak, Tim Roberts, Thomas Wolf, Tom Chittenden, Tonny Sellén, and Tor Jørgensen.
For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4: Björn Liljeqvist, Christian Sorenson, Claus Volko, Dionysios Maroudas, Sandra Schlick, Erik Haereid, Giuseppe Corrente, Guillermo Alejandro Escárcega Pliego, HanKyung Lee, James Gordon, Justin Duplantis, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Laurent Dubois, Marco Ripà, Marios Prodromou, Matthew Scillitani, Mislav Predavec, Richard Sheen, Rick Farrar, Rick G. Rosner, Thomas Wolf, Tiberiu Sammak, Tim Roberts, Tom Chittenden, Tonny Sellén, and Tor Arne Jørgensen.
Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Foreword by Kirk Kirkpatrick
The journey of intellectual exploration is one that often leads us through unexpected terrains — challenging our preconceptions, broadening our understanding, and, at times, humbling us with the complexity of the questions we seek to answer. Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4 serves as both a guide and a companion on this journey, offering a collection of conversations with thinkers who are not only intellectually gifted but also deeply committed to the pursuit of knowledge. It is within these pages that the collective insights of some of the most remarkable minds of our time are brought together to engage in dialogue, challenge assumptions, and inspire deeper reflection.
As one of the individuals featured in a volume by Scott, I can speak firsthand to the thoughtful and rigorous nature of the conversations that form the foundation of this book. What makes Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4 stand out is its ability to bring together a diversity of voices, each offering unique perspectives on a wide array of topics — ranging from artificial intelligence and philosophy to the nuanced political and social landscapes we navigate today. This is not a collection of abstract theories or distant musings; it is a vibrant, living discourse that invites readers to actively engage with the ideas presented.
Reflecting on my own experience in participating in his projects, I was struck by the genuine curiosity and intellectual openness that underpinned each discussion. The depth of the questions posed allowed for a level of introspection that is rare in many intellectual exchanges. It is one thing to engage in intellectual debate; it is another to truly explore the contours of one’s own beliefs, experiences, and understanding in a way that invites others to learn alongside you. This is what makes Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4 so special — it offers not just answers, but the opportunity to walk through the thought processes of those who have spent their lives in the pursuit of knowledge.
For those of us who have had the privilege of being part of these volumes , it has been an opportunity to share insights gained from years of study, work, and personal experience. But more than that, it has been a chance to reflect on the broader impact that our collective intellectual efforts can have on the world around us. Whether discussing the ethical implications of emerging technologies or the complexities of global political systems, the conversations in this book are deeply rooted in a desire to make sense of the challenges we face as a society.
In my own contributions, I focused on the intricacies of human behavior, intelligence, and societal structures — areas where I’ve spent much of my life both observing and engaging. But what struck me most during the conversations was how interconnected these topics are with the broader intellectual landscape. Every thought, every idea, builds upon the contributions of others, and it is through this network of ideas that we begin to see the larger picture. The intellectual community represented in this book is a testament to the power of collaboration, of shared knowledge, and of the collective pursuit of truth.
Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4 is more than just a compilation of interviews — it is an intellectual experience. The minds featured in this book, including my own, come from a range of disciplines and backgrounds, each bringing a unique perspective to the table. But what unites us all is a shared commitment to questioning the world around us and seeking deeper understanding. The diversity of thought is not just a reflection of our varied experiences, but an invitation to readers to challenge their own thinking and expand their intellectual horizons.
One of the most compelling aspects of this book is the way it navigates the tension between knowledge and wisdom. Intelligence, after all, is not merely about the accumulation of facts or the ability to solve complex problems; it is also about understanding the implications of those facts and recognizing the human element that underlies every intellectual pursuit. Whether we are discussing advancements in artificial intelligence, the future of political systems, or the ethical dilemmas that face our society, the human dimension is always present. It is this blend of intellect and humanity that makes Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4 such a valuable contribution to the ongoing conversation about our world.
For readers, this book is an invitation. It is an invitation to engage with ideas that may challenge you, inspire you, and, at times, make you uncomfortable. It is through this discomfort that growth happens, both intellectually and personally. As one of the contributors to the project, I can say with confidence that this book is not meant to provide easy answers but to provoke thought, spark curiosity, and encourage deeper reflection on the issues that matter most to us as individuals and as members of a global society.
As I reflect on my own journey, both within these pages and beyond, I am reminded of the importance of intellectual freedom — the freedom to explore new ideas, to question established norms, and to engage in meaningful dialogue with others who share a passion for learning. This book embodies that spirit of intellectual freedom, offering a platform for voices that might otherwise go unheard and providing readers with the tools to think critically and independently about the world around them.
To those about to embark on this intellectual journey, I offer a word of advice: approach these conversations with an open mind. Let yourself be challenged. The ideas presented here are not meant to be digested passively but to be actively engaged with. Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4 is a book for those who are unafraid to think deeply, to ask difficult questions, and to seek out new perspectives.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge Scott Douglas Jacobsen for his dedication in bringing this project to life. His commitment to fostering intellectual discourse and creating a platform for diverse voices is evident on every page. Through his work, we are reminded that the pursuit of knowledge is not a solitary endeavor but a collective one — one that requires us to listen, to learn, and to grow together.
As one of the contributors, I am honored to be part of this intellectual community, and I look forward to the conversations that this book will undoubtedly spark in the minds of its readers.
Foreword by Marios Prodromou
I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Scott Jacobsen for dedicating his time to interviewing some of the world’s brightest minds. Not everyone has the ability to bring out the best in high-IQ individuals, but Scott excels at it. He has an exceptional eye for detail, and his challenging, thought-provoking questions lead to fascinating discussions. I feel honored to have contributed even a small part to his publication.
I am confident that readers who engage with his work will gain valuable insights into the thinking and behavior of intelligent people. Scott’s interviews encourage subjects to explore their inner selves and articulate their feelings openly. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with him, and I highly recommend this series to anyone interested in the subject of intelligence. Even those who may not consider themselves high-IQ individuals will find that many of the interviews resonate with them and inspire them to read the entire series.
Thank you once again, Scott, for your time, and a special thanks to all the readers who have embarked on this journey through the series.
Foreword by Rick Farrar
Several years prior to having any involvement or interactions with many gifted individuals, I read Larry Niven’s sci-fi book, “Protector”. A couple of postulations concerning highly intelligent beings in the book stood out to me. To paraphrase, having a given set of tools and circumstances, sufficiently intelligent beings would all reach the same conclusion, since there is always one best answer to a given set of conditions. The second premise is that sufficiently intelligent beings would typically have little free will, since their intelligence would always allow them to see the best path forward. If you can always see the best solution then the choice is already made.
So, armed with these expectations, I sallied forth into various groups of high IQ people, hoping to meet throngs of people who were like minded and typically agreed on most everything.
And, oh was I wrong.
Diversity in this group of humans seems to be the second most common defining quality (after intelligence, of course). I mentioned this observation to a friend in the high IQ world, and she put it very well. People pushing the far end of the IQ normal curve are typically pushing the far ends of other normal curves as well (in beliefs, thought, priorities, goals, etc.). And not necessarily the same ones or the same ends of the same curves. Not that this is a bad thing. They are deep thinkers. There is a richness to it.
It turns out that there isn’t one right answer. There are a myriad of them. Much like the old story of several blind men feeling different parts of an elephant and therefore describing the animal differently.
There is a library in Copenhagen, Denmark, that has a significant twist from what one would expect when they think of a library. The Human Library allows you to check out a person (from a list of volunteers) instead of a book. In their case the people whom you check out are actually physically present.
Here, Scott has brought you an equivalent experience in print, with thoughts and experiences of people with a rarity in terms of reasoning abilities and intuitiveness. Rather than being clones of each other, high IQ people are quite unique, exquisite individuals as you will soon discover.
Enjoy!
Foreword by Tor Arne Jørgensen
It is a great pleasure for me to write the foreword together with Kirk Kirkpatrick for this fourth edition of Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4. Scott Jacobsen and his work to keep the fire burning in all of us who navigate the land of high intelligence is an achievement in itself. Scott and the work he does make him regarded by the high intelligence community as one of their own. For a long time, I have observed from my small home up here in the cold north the amount of work he puts into his articles. I am very impressed by his professionalism, perseverance, dedication, and persona. Scott, what an impressive job you do, kudos to you!
What, then, about those of us who move within these circles? Are we all alike on the scale from lowest to highest, and what will become of the concept of IQ, something that lies in the borderland between curiosity and authenticity? It should be known that the fall height is enormous for every mistake that is said or written. What is done right, no one cares about, neither inside nor out. What are we left with when the lights go out? Have we become something more, or are we stripped bare of all honor, whatever honor that might be?
Happily unaware of what is to come, I will leave my small mark. The path is made as we walk, we set the course, and stride toward the unknown. What I have found on my journey, I have taken with me, just like Askeladden did on his journeys toward the land of happiness. Through valleys and over dizzying heights, all those I have met on my way have found a place in my heart, many but not all, we follow in this edition to the promised land that is WIN.
I will conclude with my quote that was used in my first book, “74.”
Who then interprets those who refuse to be read by those who refuse to understand?
