I agree that knowing when to say when is a critical skill-- and furthermore, I think that honestly and compassionately instilling in our children a sense that they, in spite of having the cognitive horsepower that they possess, do
not have any entitlement to "tell" others on any number of subjects--
well, that part is priceless. I was enjoying that thread as a terrific object lesson, to be perfectly blunt-- which isn't intended offensively to anyone participating in it, but it is what I honestly think.
Seeing such a clear example of how the communication strategy employed and the underlying motivations and beliefs of gifted people can derail the efforts to connect with others humans-- that was
very valuable. In my opinion.
This is ground that we had to cover quite specifically with my skillfully manipulative, socially adroit DD16, who loves people and has mostly been convinced that she'd REALLY make a benevolent dictator. We had to gently correct her efforts (mostly undetected by others) to manipulate her friends and family in order to cause them to "make better decisions" and "see things the Right Way." Yes, she truly believed that she was doing those people favors.
That still doesn't make it
right to shove one's vision (true or not) down others' throats in the name of her superior reasoning ability.
She's not a better person because she's brighter. She has things to learn from people who have IQs of 60-70, and I'm
elated that she knows this.
