Why do we give human attention and attribution to an athlete of the body but not

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   Ericdierkerposted 11 years ago

   Why do we give human attention and attribution to an athlete of the body but not to intelligence.
   
   In sports we attribute greatness to the person.  Why in intelligence virtue do we not attribute to speaker but to the thought? It is as though, "I knew that" but we do not accept "I can do that".
   People are mean to intelligent people. They are bigoted and disrespectful as a means of defense. But the athlete whooped their butt so many times they idolize instead of questioning
   
   

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   pippapposted 11 years ago

   I think most people of average or lower intelligence are frightened by intelligent people.  They don't always understand what the intelligent person is saying and this can make them feel embarassed and/or inferior.  They also may feel that the person of superior intelligence can "pull the wool over their eyes" if they want to.
   
   I find the fact that intelligence can scare others while physical ability does not to be something of  a conundrum.  No one is frightened by the Olympian bike rider simply because he can outride anyone on a bicycle.  Or by a soccer player because of his athletic ability.
   
   It may have something to do with the fact that most world-changing events were discovered by (wo)men of intelligence far superior those of us mere mortals.

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Pippap that is a really good point. Fear is the reason for a lot of screwy things in this world.

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   Ruth ferrazposted 11 years ago

   Hi erickdierker,
   Very pertinent to your question.
   Some years ago I read a book about "Multiple Intelligences" and according to this theory there are several types of intelligences. If I remember correctly there are seven. One is the physical intelligence, which makes athletes do well in sports. With the grace I can understand this well because I am a teacher of physical education! I believe that the talented athletes have a good visual prominence because in this world we live the appearance is very important.

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      Ericdierkerposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is a very intriguing thought.. I think there is much merit to it. As I ask this question I ponder where would I have been, if not for my athleticism? Clearly I thrived on the attention.

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