Giftedness is a whole bundle, and I think that's where the gifted=intelligence argument breaks down. I am gifted. I have no issues being gifted because it explains a lot about me. The intelligence portion is the most obvious piece; it's the one I don't need to comment on, and the one I dwell on the least.
What about giftedness is relevant to me even as an adult? It explains to others who can look it up why I have odd existential depressions. Why even at this age I sometimes get sensory issues from odd things. Why I see the world from an odd angle.
People focus a lot on academic giftedness, but the gifted term does not actually encompass only academic ability. The constant searching for meaning, the constant feeling that there is more I could be doing, and the really large range of interests I still have are all part of that. There is a reason why special clinics exist for gifted adults. You don't just grow out of it.
Last edited by Artana; 11/15/10 09:36 AM.
