Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner’s theory of Multiple Intelligences proposes that intelligence is the ability to create something of value to one’s culture. He says there are many ways of being intelligent: The ability to play sports or music, dance and paint, reflect and introspect, emote and role-play, empathise and sympathise—are all different ways of being intelligent.

Take for instance this video with the music of the marvellous composer Astor Piazolla of a couple dancing the Tango (which, along with Bossa Nova, is one of the two great musical genres to come out of South America). My thoughts as I watched the video:

The dancers in the video tell a story—a tale of love, from the exhilarating flush of limerence to the solid bond of an abiding relationship. Note the initial distance and diffidence of the couple as they stand apart. Observe the hesitance as the man walks towards the girl and she steps back, uncertain, unsure, timorous, but still romantically interested. After she grapples with her initial doubt she walks towards him—but he walks gently away, she follows him, captivated… And as they begin to dance they hold on tight—jealously clinging to each other—their arms and shoulders close—almost touching—not daring to let go. But as they dance and twirl and pirouette in perfect synch, and as the relationship develops, the woman resigns herself to the man; he literally sweeps her off her feet as he lifts her into the air. They begin to grow in confidence and trust, and reach a point where the man feels he can let go and release her—firm and assured in the knowledge that she will come back to him. The dance ends with an intimate and serene pose, almost symbolic of a deep and enduring love, perhaps even the eternal embrace of death.

So, the question is:

Is being able to dance a talent or a type of intelligence? (Or is there no distinction between the two terms?)

Multiple Intelligences

With the growing acceptance of Howard Gardner's ideas on Multiple Intelligence, the question "How smart are you?" has changed to "How are you smart?" Here are a few questions catering to the different intelligences that revolve around the number six.

Choose a couple and post your responses in the comments section.

How would life be different if we worked in base 6 instead of base ten?
Write a poem entitled ‘6’
What’s the most important thing about 6.00am? 6.00pm?
Why do insects have six legs and not more? Or less?
How would you make someone laugh in only 6 words
Tell the story of Cinderella in only 6 words
Come up with 6 uses for a fork
You are marooned for 6 days in the Hatta wadis – what are the first 6 things you would do?
Get from the word ‘dog’ to ‘cat’ in 6 steps
Get from 6 to 666 in 6 steps
Name 6 things that make you happy.
Name 6 things you want to do before you die
Name 6 things you’d save if your house was on fire? What if it was your school on fire?
What are the 6 longest words you know?
If you typed ‘6’ into Google what do you think would be the first 6 things that would come up?
What 6 things could you do if your computer was running slow?
What are the 6 worst things you could to a friend? The 6 best?
Name the 6 most important inventions in the history of the world and say why?
You have a pen, some paper, a mobile phone, a spoon and computer connected to the internet – name 6 ways you could make money just using that equipment.

© Ian Gilbert and Independent Thinking Ltd 2010