Is it true that everyone is smart in some areas, and dumb in some other areas?

[Kingofkings1992]

Yes, truth

No, I don't think that's true

[Effably]

It would be great if it was, realistically that is most likely not true but there is good reason to claim it!

At its most extreme IQ, typical measurement of smarts, is just our ability to process information. If you can handle a lot of information quickly, your IQ is high. It is not that meaningful.

Expertise is our ability to know what we should do and where to direct our focus.

So now consider the interaction. When you have expertise you will see a problem, isolate the three or so valid concerns and solve it.
To someone without this expertise there were 300 concerning areas and you just processed them all in a second! Amazing! Clearly a genius.

Almost everyone spends their time doing stuff. Doing stuff leads to expertise at stuff. That lets you use your smarts efficiently in an optimal way. This creates the illusion of being extremely smart. Although in practical terms there is no real difference. Expertise does beat Smarts.

[Sunrising]

I think your statement is very true.

In school when I was only 9 or 10, I remember a teacher saying in class, give your parents respect, even though they might not know more about some subjects that you, they will probably be far more knowledgeable than you will ever be, in their employment area.

Also I think what the teacher was saying was, don't judge someone too quickly.

[beefcakebradybatson]

In the early 1970's, an "All In The Family" episode featured a special needs young man who worked as a stock boy and whose father gave him a plaque which said "Everyone is my superior because I can learn from them," so yes, I agree that everyone is smart in some areas and dumb in others.(Especially Yours Truly!!!)

[katiesmuff]

I think that sounds very true!

[LC75LC71]

There's some truth to that.