|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have, in recent years, come to believe that IQ tests are a waste of time for most of us, and a waste of money for some of us. In fact, as a general rule of thumb, if you want to know how stupid you are, check to see if you're paying for an online IQ test.
In the course of my short and, let's face it, aimless life, I've taken numerous IQ tests when bored, with scores ranging from the high end of piss-average (109) to the screaming madman genius stage (158), and pretty much everything in between.
As such, I've come to think that nobody actually knows how smart anyone else is, except in the broadest possible terms.
I have been told that MENSA tests are definitive, but to be honest I stopped playing after I scored that 158 and I don't intend to consult MENSA from sheer egotistical fear that they will, as a particularly grating series of adverts might put it, "quote me unhappy."
I was, however, amused today by a pop up ad beseeching me to take yet another IQ test. Most of them say fairly obvious things like "What's your IQ?" or "How smart are you?"
This one took the novel and amusingly confrontational approach of "Are you stupid?" I can't help but feel that if anyone did shout "No!!" and click it, the answer would unavoidably be "yes", but I digress.
It's quite scary, in actuality, when you can feel marketing ploys or ad campaigns working on you. It's like an out-of-brain experience. You know that you're just being rash and impulsive based on a catchy slogan, a shiny wrapper or on whatever would look cool, but you can't help it. I'm 90% sure this is how Arnold Schwarzenegger was elected.
Some time back, my local supermarket reorganised it's layout, with unexpected things in the midst of the more commonplace. For example, I went in for a bar of chocolate, and on one of the shelves in the chocolate aisle they had a small collection of CDs.
Ten minutes later I found myself outside with a Boost, a copy of "Blonde on Blonde" and a bemused look on my face.
I can't help but be all the more astounded, then, at the universally dire nature of the vast majority of modern advertising. I can't sit through more than about ten minutes of television these days without the really-quite-rational desire to hit someone in the face with a brick. Quite often it's that prick from the Halifax who gives you extra. (I can only speculate as to extra what, although my money is on nausea...)
It could be possible that all the decent advert-men (and believe me, I really can't think of a more mature sounding term for this profession) are working on online IQ tests, but when you look at the sheer volume of frankly terrible online adverts, one begins to wonder if there isn't a universal creativity drought.
Personally, I blame the universities. In fact, I blame the universities for pretty much everything I can, but on this one it does at least have some rationality. The more we send talented people to design schools and art colleges, the more fodder we give to what is essentially a production line, and, subsequently, we can only expect the same sorts of ideas to crop up.
I'm not entirely sure where I lost the thread about IQ tests, but then I'm notoriously absent minded and tend to go off on tangents. I can barely even keep track of the things I've written about; IQ tests, advertising, universities, two large fries and a diet coke, the lost ark of the covenant, a partridge in a pear tree, go fifty-fifty or phone a friend. ?see?
Luke Haines
Notes are very powerful. They express your thanks, encouragement, sympathy,... Read More
Lorenzo C. an inspiring young teenager who fell to the... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 26,... Read More
The Emmaus Journal Pattern of RipplesPicture within your mind an... Read More
One man can make a difference. I've been saying this... Read More
Most people like movies. Some, like me, are enthralled by... Read More
In Corrogue it is frosty.The earth is hard and unyielding.... Read More
I knew precisely what I wanted. I felt that success... Read More
I bought this computer just over two years ago with... Read More
At first glance, when tough times hit, it seems the... Read More
My name is Chas Brothers. Many of you know me... Read More
It's all in the mind- your mind.It's not brought about... Read More
Have you or do you know someone who has been... Read More
Chances are you have seen some type of disturbance in... Read More
I grew up climbing mountains. Mountains are beautiful and challenging,... Read More
Robert was so strong that I once saw him pick... Read More
As small children, we were all wild. Not unlike the... Read More
My friend Hugh Jeffries died. He was a wealthy man.... Read More
It goes without question that any business intending to thrive... Read More
When you realize that you really want to have an... Read More
Poverty can sometimes only be a state of mind, based... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 23,... Read More
Get inspired and lift your spirits with these positive quotations... Read More
Anything that draws one away from the business of living... Read More
I've been to 64-countries, and yes money comes in handy,... Read More
Your own level of frequency raises or lowers the overall... Read More
I sat down to write my weekly humor column, but... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of December 1,... Read More
Not long ago, I attended a seminar that featured Naomi... Read More
A high school senior, looking forward to going to college,... Read More
1. Retire the word "retirement" from your vocabulary. Look it... Read More
Below are some of the things that, over the years,... Read More
Many people think that their life is a disaster that... Read More
Often in our society, we are bombarded with the lives... Read More
Have you stopped to think what your favorite quotes are... Read More
Yes you got it. You read it correctly. We're not... Read More
I thought you might enjoy reading a professional article I... Read More
I bought this computer just over two years ago with... Read More
Have you had a challenging day or week? Feel a... Read More
Can we love our bodies? As the years go by,... Read More
The difficulty in finding love that is good for you... Read More
Have you ever had the opportunity to follow-up on a... Read More
It's interesting how we intellectually know that tomorrow will be... Read More
I am sitting before a window of morning light "losing... Read More
This week is part three of our five part series... Read More
Direct Answers - Column for the week of October 28,... Read More
I have counseled individuals, couples, families and business partners for... Read More
After more than thirty years of studying the Bible I... Read More
I knew precisely what I wanted. I felt that success... Read More
Big Fat Lie 1: Your personality is formed and unchangeable... Read More
Inspirational |