The other day, I was wasting time on Facebook when I came across a wonderful new Awkward Yeti comic strip by Nick Seluk: http://theawkwardyeti.com/comic/stars/
This strip rocked me back in my chair. It completely captures my wonder at the universe. In just six panels, the author/artist has caught how science — the asking of questions about ourselves, life, this world, and all of space — inspires both the brain and the heart. I marvel at the things we are learning, discovering, and inventing (as in Discover magazine’s “100 Top Stories of 2014” http://discovermagazine.com/2015/jan-feb ). Did anyone else squee when the European Space Agency landed Philae on that comet?
Yet we still know so little. Dark matter? Dark energy? O.o I think the fact that so much mystery remains is wonderful. I suspect our human pysches need frontiers to explore like our bodies need Vitamin A: frontiers help us to focus, to see better.
One of the smaller mysteries, at least to me, is how Nick Seluk can get so right the disjunct between heart and brain. So many times, when I read an Awkward Yeti strip, I feel like the author is explaining me to myself. This is no small feat.
Take Gardner’s seven forms of intelligence:
- Visual-Spatial: the ability to think in terms of physical space. Individuals with high visual-spatial IQs are very aware of their environments. They like to draw, do jigsaw puzzles, and read maps. They can be taught through drawings, verbal and physical imagery, models, graphics, charts, photos, and other visual multimedia. I have an average V-S IQ.
- Bodily-Kinesthetic: the ability to use the body effectively. Individuals with high bodily-kinesthetic IQs have a keen sense of body awareness. They like movement, making things, and touching. They communicate well through body language and learn best through physical activity, hands-on learning, and role playing. My B-K IQ is very low. I can trip over air and have before.
- Musical: a fine sensitivity to rhythm and sound. Individuals with high musical IQs love music and are sensitive to sounds in their environments. They may study better with music in the background. They can learn better by turning lessons into lyrics, speaking rhythmically, and tapping out time. I’m average in this category, too.
- Interpersonal: involves understanding and interacting with others. People with high interpersonal IQs learn through interaction: group activities, seminars, dialogues. They tend to have many friends, empathy for others, and street smarts. I like people, but I do not understand them. I am definitely below average in this area.
- Intrapersonal: involves the ability to understand one’s own interests, goals, and motivations. People with high interpersonal IQs tend to shy away from others. They are in tune with their inner feelings; they have wisdom, intuition and motivation, as well as a strong will, confidence, and opinions. They learn best through independent study and introspection. I absolutely suck at this. My IQ in this area is about a 10 (where 100 is average). Inner goals and motivations? Ummmm…. Me hungry. Me want Doritos. That’s about as deep as I get. Seriously.
- Linguistic: involves the ability to use words effectively. People with high linguistic IQs have highly developed auditory skills and often think in words (other people don’t?!?). They learn best through words and reading books. Yay!! This is me! I own this one!
- Logical-Mathematical: involves reasoning and calculating. People with high logical-mathematical IQs think conceptually and abstractly. They can see and explore patterns and relationships. They like to experiment, solve puzzles, and ask cosmic questions (SCIENCE!). They learn best through logic games, investigations, and mysteries. I am above average in this area.
I suspect Seluk must have a high intrapersonal IQ to figure out the inner truths he expresses in his strips. Because my intra IQ is SO low, what Seluk does in his Awkward Yeti strip often appears magical to me. And that is yet another source of wonder: I love it when people use their talents in ways that I cannot. It enriches me.
Wonderful!
vlsperry 