Mechanical -- Another Intelligence

Are you smart?

Students have been conditioned to correlate the answer to this question with how they perform in a traditional school setting. If they get A's in school, they are smart; if they get D's in school, they are stupid. Likewise, standardized test scores (e.g. SAT, ACT, CLT) reinforce this perception; the higher the score, the smarter the student.

It troubles me to hear high school students say that they are "stupid" based on a report card. It troubles me even more to hear 50 year old's say the same thing, as I know that they have carried this misperception and pain with them for half of their life ... just because they weren't successful in a traditional school setting forty years ago.

How are you smart?

John Gardner's book, Frames of Mind (1983), outlined an educational theory called Multiple Intelligences. Gardner's theory counters the traditional perspective that there is one form of intelligence, and those successful in school are the only ones who are smart. Proponents of this theory change the question from "Are you smart?" to "How are you smart?," implying that everyone is smart in a specific way. 

Multiple Intelligences identifies nine intelligences or ways that a person can be smart. 

1. Logical-Mathematical
2. Linguistic
3. Interpersonal
4. Intrapersonal
5. Naturalist
6. Musical
7. Spatial
8. Bodily-Kinesthetic
9. Existential

The intelligences listed above have been written about extensively by Gardner and many others, and I encourage you to research this theory more; however, the intent of this article is not to describe each intelligence, but to propose a new one.

Although I may consider myself to be traditionally "smart" because I have been successful in school, the theory of Multiple Intelligences resonates with me because of the many times that I feel stupid. I feel stupid when I'm asked to keep rhythm or dance to a beat (musical); I feel stupid when I can't visualize how to solve a 3-D puzzle (spatial); I feel stupid when I struggle to make small talk in a large group setting (interpersonal). However, nothing makes me feel more stupid than a weekend of house projects or car repairs, and that is why I am proposing a new intelligence. It is an intelligence that I definitely do not have: mechanical intelligence.

The Mechanical Intelligence

Clearly, some people are mechanically inclined ... or to elevate the diction, they have a mechanical intelligence. They are mechanically smart, and they need to be honored in our society. In fact, I think auto mechanics are some of the smartest people around, right alongside, electricians, plumbers, irrigation specialists (who, by the way, combine electrical and plumbing), and, of course, builders like Bob. Many of these individuals have mechanical intelligence, and that makes them smart.

And I should know ...

My life has been a litany of mechanical blunders ... trial, error, trial, error, trial, error, and then call someone who is mechanically smart to finish the job. While it has produced some humorous events, like when I changed the oil in my car and mistakenly replaced the transmission oil filter instead (the engine oil filter didn't seem to fit, but the person at AutoZone said I had to replace a filter). And speaking of oil, did you know that a chain saw needs gas mixed with oil and it needs chain oil? It actually doesn't work very well if you don't know those things. 

Of course what makes things worse is I married into a family of mechanically intelligent people ... Yep, my wife is way smarter than I am in this intelligence. My in-laws fix everything themselves, a definite characteristic of a mechanically intelligent person. Now, to fit in, I have become a master at faking this intelligence by watching YouTube videos and multiple trips to Home Depot, but, to be honest, I still struggle with "righty tighty, lefty loosey" and that is tough to hide (but that may have more to do with mixing up my right and left, which is another struggle). 

So are you mechanically intelligent?  Take this test ...

• If you know how to tie a knot other than the bow on your shoelace, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If you can finish a home project with only one trip to Home Depot, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If you have ever used ratchet cinch straps to secure an item, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If you have ever taken apart an engine just for fun, you might have mechanical intelligence.
• If your first thought when something breaks is "I can fix it," you might have mechanical intelligence.

Seriously, some people are genuinely gifted with mechanical intelligence, and they need to be celebrated and respected for their intelligence. Over the past decades, our society has over-emphasized book smarts, traditional education, and college, especially as a means to define who is "smart." This has led to a dearth of skilled labor in the mechanical arts and trades ... just talk with your local general contractors association, and they will share their frustration.

I hope that you see my point and agree with my proposal to add another intelligence. Identifying a "new" intelligence is just the first step. Schools need to re-emphasize and, in some cases, resurrect classes/programs that develop a mechanical intelligence in students. Additionally, mechanically intelligent students should be celebrated in schools and recognized for their much-needed gifts. That is going to take an educational paradigm shift that will impact curriculum, staffing, and ultimately, a school's mission, vision, and strategic plan, i.e., what we value as a school.

Thankfully, some of the best schools have retained mechanical and vocational arts programs, and they should be our exemplars as we explore the redevelopment of these programs. 

Stay tuned to future posts as I use this platform to consider ways that schools can celebrate and develop mechanical intelligence ... 

... now, I need to go return some parts to Home Depot.

Be the 1 in 2021

Happy New Year!

We made it to 2021! ... I'm sure most of us were thrilled to get to December 31, finish 2020, and usher in 2021. I know I was. In fact, I made sure that I stayed up until midnight on that last day of the year to personally see that the year really ended.

2020 was quite a year … It started with fires in Australia, then Covid, then Kobe Bryant died, then the world went into a pandemic and everything shut-down, then police used excessive force and killed George Floyd, racial unrest ensued, riots happened in all major cities, and the year ended with political unrest with a contentious election (that continues).

So did you wake up on January 1st and notice anything different? Did the pandemic disappear overnight? Did racial tensions melt away with the passing of one year to the next? Was there instant world peace? Did Republicans and Democrats start getting along? Sadly, none of that happened.

After the political unrest and violent protests of last week, I feel like nothing has changed.

So what is going to be different in 2021? How is this year different than last year? One thing that is obvious is the number 1. The year 2020 has become 2021 ... the difference is the number 1.

I want to challenge you to be the 1 in 2021. Be what's different this year.

When we want something to change, we often look to others to and point fingers at others to change. We blame others for causing problems, and we look to others to fix it. We can all agree, the year 2020 was a problem; let me challenge you to be a part of the solution, 1 part, the number 1 part of making this year better. Be what's different this year.

There is something called "Chaos Theory"; it is essentially people trying to figure out why everything is out of control and what causes or caused the chaos. These researchers have been active this past year. 

Within this theory, there is something that is called the Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect states that a small action can make a big difference. It is named after the concept that a butterfly flapping its wings in South America could ... through many chain reactions ... cause the chaos of a hurricane in North America. Small actions can have a disastrous effect. The Butterfly Effect, of course, can be related to human interactions. A small thing can cause chaos in our relationships, too. A careless post on social media can ruin a person's reputation. A few words can incite violence. A mean, sarcastic tone can slice up a person inside.

Thankfully, the opposite is also true: a small action can ... through many chain reactions ... have a huge, positive effect. A small action can restore order in the midst of chaos. Think of a candle bringing light to a dark room ... okay, think of the light on your phone as you walk through a dark hallway. It works with people too. We probably have all experienced how a kind word, a smile, a listening ear, a helpful classmate can turn a bad day into a good one.   

The Butterfly Effect emphasizes the fact that we are all connected. My small actions impact you; what happens to me, affects you. This interconnectedness or interdependence is a biblical concept and most commonly referred as the Body of Christ. This metaphor, as you know, says that we are all parts of the same body ... the body of Christ. Each of us has different roles and responsibilities, and if we do something destructive to ourselves or to others, it hurts other parts of the body, and it hurts the body of Christ as a whole. In fact, God talks about this by saying in I Corinthians 12:26, "If one part suffers, every part suffers with it." However, the opposite is true. If a person acts in a healthy, positive way, those around him flourish. The same verse says, "If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it."

God, in the Bible, has given us many simple commands that could impact others profoundly. Think of it like God's Butterfly Effect.

• Love your neighbor. (Mark 12:31) 
• Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly (Micah 6:8)
• Pray for those who persecute you. (Matt 5:44)
• Be a peacemaker (Matthew 5:9)
• Do not speak evil against one another (James 4:11)
• Don't complain or argue (Phil 2:14)
• Be still (Psalm 46:10)

But, you might say, "those are just Bible verses ... that doesn't apply to me." What if instead of saying "Love your neighbor," God said "care for your classmates"? What if instead of saying "pray for those who persecute you," God said, "pray for the student who bullies you at school"? What if instead of saying "do not speak evil against one another," he said, "do not post anything mean on Snapchat"? 

These biblical commands are commands for us today ... and your small actions can impact others in a big way.

Another set of research today is studying kindness. It is remarkable how powerful kindness is. Of course, when you are kind to someone, that person benefits. If you notice someone forgot his lunch and you offer to buy him lunch in the dining hall, that person is blessed. However, the kindness research has found that the person being kind is also blessed. 

When a person does one act of kindness a day, her stress level is reduced; just one act of kindness ... imagine if she did 10! You see when you are kind, your brain releases a chemical called Serotonin. Serotonin is called the "happy hormone" because it calms, heals, and generally makes you happy. And yes, it sounds odd, but it is released when you are kind to someone else. Isn't it amazing how God designed us to be happy when we are kind to others?

So others feel better when you are kind to them, AND you feel better when you are kind to others. But wait there's more! (I sound like a tv product salesperson). But there is more ... Kindness research has also uncovered that kindness is contagious. If someone is kind to me, I want to be kind to others (I want to pay it forward). That makes sense ... when someone does something kind, it puts me in a good mood, and I will do something nice for others (quid pro quo), but the research says that I don't even have to be the recipient of the kindness; I can just be an observer of kindness. If someone observes someone being kind, that observer also wants to be kind to others. 

Oh, but, unfortunately, the opposite is also true: if I see someone acting mean and picking on someone, I am more likely to act mean and "pile on." If I see violence, I am more likely to act violently. If I hear bad language in my headphones all day, I am more likely to use bad language. So our words and actions make a difference.  

I want you to know that your words matter, your actions matter (even your small actions), and people are watching you. This is why it is so important for our leaders ... in our school, in our homes, in our country ... to model kindness, humility, and love of neighbor. Leaders around us are watched carefully, but so are you. Positive actions are good for everyone involved ... and they are contagious. One action can have a ripple effect to impact an whole community.

So how can you be the 1 in 2021? How can you be what's different this year?  Does it have to be something huge that you do? Nope, it can be 1 act of kindness each day.

Just like the Butterfly Effect, 1 simple thing ... 1 random act of kindness ... can make a huge difference to those around you.

Be the 1 in 2021! 

Resources:

Kindness is Contagious Video (LifeVest)-