Why is it that people have this assumption that the greatest minds end up at the top?

Question

Why is it that people have this assumption that the greatest minds end up at the top?

Answer 1

what icy said

Answer 2

Well people want to believe this because it gives us hope.  If we think that by being smart, we will succeed, we gain hope because we believe we can change ourselves and become intelligent.  

Answer 3

Do people actually assume that? I know people assume that those at the top are usually wealthy or at least well financed. Financial status rarely is determined by a persons actual intelligence. Sometimes but not usually. Even though our society relates success to wealth. Does success + wealth = smart? (think George Bush)

Actually people with truly remarkable intelligence often find themselves in what most would consider a failed life. One of desperate circumstances due to their inability to accept society as it presently is. They seek ways to improve the world only to have their achievements misused, perverted or simply dismissed. They spend their lives in the pursuit of knowledge and the means to apply themselves with little regard for self promotion or the acquisition of wealth. Many or even most of the greatest thinkers in history weren't recognized as such until after their deaths. It takes time for society to catch up with their genius. You are talking about assumptions made by the masses. The same masses who vote for our elected officials. The same masses who think it's okay to destroy the planet. Well, maybe not okay but they're still driving their damned SUV's and do much worse. The same masses who are practically illiterate and to whom math is a foreign language. The same masses who think it's okay to spend $200 million dollars on an Olympic shower. While people starve in the streets just outside.You get my point by now. Even though most will not. ha ha

Answer 4

Maybe because they know that's how it should be.  It's usually rather the richest and most popular people that end up at the top no matter how dumb they really are...and the smart ones are doing the work for them so they can look good.

Answer 5

It's kind of the definition.

Like the fittest will survive.  Who are the fittest?  The ones that survive.

Who are the great minds?  The ones at the top.

I've got a geat mind. Really, why didn't you make it to the top?

Perhaps you only THINK you have a great mind.

Answer 6

Because they judge by the easiest method. Anything that is quick and visual generally wins. If people really looked at the top people in the philosophy section of YA they would understand that they are not all great minds.

Answer 7

Not all do. Why is it that people are so willing to believe in and act based on stereotypes?

Answer 8

Love is right.

Also schools use this to create a motive for kids to work hard.  

Smarter people usually make it to the top, but book-education smart does not equal Wisdom-Philosophical smart.

Answer 9

Because most of us do not make it to the top and we have to come up with an excuse as to why not -- to make ourselves feel better.  

"It's not my fault, I just wasn't blessed with a great mind."

I see it as an excuse to gloss over one not taking responsibility, to cop out on things that one thinks are too hard.  

Stereotypes are never healthy.  This is another such case.

Answer 10

1.  Assumption that the system is merit-based.

2.  Given that, those who rise are generally those who work and those who are talented, or both.

3.  Then, a fallacy of overgeneralization (i.e., that merit perfectly bijects to position).

The first two points, when true, are the basis for any successful, long-term societal structure:  merit of system, equal results for equal performance.  When the system becomes nepotistic, cronyist, and/or feckless vis a vis real goals and productivity, it invites reform and/or revolution.  This is the classic rhythm of Chinese dynastic rise and fall:  merit being honestly rewarded at the beginning, and corruption at the ending.  This has even been charted, with the rise of corruption preceding by a generation or three the overturning of the dynasty.

Answer 11

People make stupid assumptions based on media-fed ideals of how the world should be. But, actually, the problem begins in early elementary school. You might remember the story of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin had a swift mind, invented a bunch of junk, discovered electricity, etc. The people wanted him to be President, but settled for Washington. The difference between Franklin and Washington was Franklin's social skills. Franklin, basically, knew everyone; he even had tight relations with the leaders of France. Washington was not social, but did have fame ("name recognition") from the many battles he had won. Can you name any soldier who fought under Washington, or the names of the assistants who helped Franklin? Would Franklin have been so popular if he had become a shoe maker, or other productive member of society? No, because Franklin stands out as a dreamer and creative genius. In truth, he wasn't any of these thing: he owned the media. He was a constant gloater. His actual genius was in how he could spin a tale--a tale of how only the greatest minds end up on top.

Before Franklin, Darwin instigated the assumption that the greatest minds end up on top with his highly quoted expression, "only the strong survive."

Also, what is important in today's world isn't what is most important to to the actual "greatest minds" and therefore, they rarely gain name recognition. The media controls "what is important," despite the actual importance of something completely different. If I were to tell you that America's energy crisis was actually solved in 1928, would you believe me? You would say, "No, we are dependent on oil; therefore, the energy crisis of today could not have been solved in 1928." If I were to tell you how it was solved but shuffled under the carpet the you would probably call me a conspiracy nut; yet, it's just a fine example of why the greatest minds are not the most powerful people.  

Answer 12

Possible ways in which such thing may be possible:

- Chain reaction: Slightly smart people are capable of recognizing smart people, smart people are capable to recognize very smart people, etc., etc.

- Judging by effect: We appreciate the greater effect that people have in the world, therefore we conclude that they are smarter than us.

- Vacant position: Dumb people do not care about the things that smart people care, therefore they do not seek to be at the top, leaving that position to those that are smarter.

- Basic intuition: I can sense when I'm in the presence of someone smarter than me, it's just the way the world works, some are smarter than others and it's a very palpable feeling.

Answer 13

I guess the most ambitious minds end up at the top. The greatest minds prolly sit back and push their buttons a lil from time to time... just so's things go their way every now and again... so as not to raise the ugly spectre of envy and fame.... just a hunch. *shrugs*