And then, turn to someone like Thomas Alva Edison. He was an inventor who holds almost 2000 patents even after his death. Would you be amazed to learn he was expelled from elementary school for being considered stupid? Leonardo Da Vinci was seen as an anti-social recluse. He hid away from the world because he didn't think like anyone else. He was ostracized. Yet, remind yourself of his contributions to Humanity, from preliminary designs for flying machines and detailed examination of human anatomy, to applications of complex mathematics and cosmology. Would devising such ideas, long before their time, really reflect a lack of intelligence?
The former examples bring to light that human beings indeed have the potential to develop different kinds of intelligence. In a given era, societies establish standards for intelligence that ignore everyone doesn't learn the same way. Consider home-schooled children who learn outside traditional institutions. Consider artists, pioneers and other individuals who don't fit into traditional categories. Does this reflect short-sightedness or an inability to see beyond intelligence we think we know?
You might know people who are very smart about some subjects and yet, appear hopeless in other ways. A gourmet chef may have no idea how to repair a broken-down car. An olympic medalist may excel in sport yet, struggle to develop lasting relationships. A self-taught accountant who is brilliant alone may struggle in team settings. Some people learn easier through visualization and practical experiences. Other people learn better through repetition and regurgitation. None of these cases implies stupidity. They simply point out that everyone isn't gifted in every way.
Intelligence is quantified and qualified. You can develop emotional intelligence to better relate to and empathize with people. You can develop technical intelligence which might empower you to effectively repair machinery or design software. You might develop spiritual intelligence which permits you to connect with other realms. Varied talents could be understood as different kinds of intelligence. Intellectual intelligence is but one view of learning. Why assume one kind of perceived intelligence is better than another? Maybe its not. Maybe you're brainwashed.
In order to survive, no matter where you live, you need to develop 'life skills.' They include things like the ability to adapt, to develop versatility, to gain insight into emotion and diplomacy (sense when and how to say 'the right thing'). People who realize their views of success are known by qualities such as compassion, accountability, having respect for themselves and others, and listening to instincts which guide their evolution.
No limit may exist for the potential of our intelligence. Each of us may learn new things. Whether you connect with inner passions or act to build on your perceived IQ is up to you. Even if submolecular time travel is your vision, go for it! After all, naysayers didn't stop the invention of telephones, cars, airplanes and many other things that help people. Believe in your potential. Accept yourself. Redefine your I.Q.