<p>While the OP’s proposition that an aptitude for imaginative thinking compromises one’s ability to memorize and vice versa is interesting, I would have to agree with AeroEngineer’s point that life is not an RPG, and that humans do not have a set amount of “points” to distribute to their various attributes. There are, no doubt, those who are very imaginative while demonstrating a proficiency at memorization.</p>
<p>I think that the only valid point to be made here, if any, is that imagination, or critical thinking, or original thinking, is the foundation for all knowledge, as the first scientists obviously didn’t have textbooks to refer to. Therefore, it could be argued that imagination is superior to memorization, because in theory one could attain knowledge on their own with imagination, while knowledge does not necessarily allow for the attainment of further knowledge in the way the imagination does. In reality though, if we ever wish to progress human knowledge, we cannot start from scratch, therefore previously “unearthed” knowledge must be used as a base for further discovery. This knowledge can be memorized, sure, but true scientists will understand it, memorizing or not, - if it is not understood, how can it be built upon? That is where the critical thinking comes in.</p>
<p>Basically agreeing with post #21 (and others along the same wavelength that I can’t remember).
Also adding that no one likes to brag that they have great scholastic memory but can’t ‘think critically’ (a vague and subjective term), but those who are the other way around (or see themselves as such) can share that fact on a more socially acceptable level.</p>
<p>I agree with you itsinreach & everary. Your right there is no amount of points to distribute, but theres one thing I’ll remember, Albert Einstein was dyslexic which lowered his ability to read, which obviously weaken his ability to memorizing words. When he started to play the violin he improved his Cognitive/Critical Thinking ability/(I forgot the word but it means “Creating as you go.”) which he even said in his writings. And one of the side effects of dyslexia is improved imagination. But you have to take into fact Albert Einstein had a 1 of a kind brain which allowed him to see Mental Images much better than the average person. Stephan Hawking on the other hand had no diseases which improved imagination, and he there has never been anything about him doing any Cognitive exercises when he was young, but he had decent memory. Yes I will not argue that there are some people that have good imagination & good memory, but Stephan Hawking didn’t do as much discovery as Einstein but he sure does have an adequate imagination because he believes Aliens exist.</p>
<p>In the end, Albert Einstein was just a different person.</p>
<p>This is just proof that Humans have many types of intelligence that society & science doesn’t understand fully, and unknown parts of the brain, hopefully someone discovers thus.</p>
<p>this is kinda random… but in my opinion working memory is what makes people smart. it is what allows people to reason out tough concepts. if you don’t have good working memory you won’t be able to understand things.</p>
<p>I agree! Its just that MOST people that have HIGH working memory have LOW memorization memory!</p>
<p>Extra:</p>
<p>The reason why Albert Einstein and Stephan Hawking both have Ridiculously high IQ’s is because they have a much high working memory! They both were bad at classes that required memorization, but they were geniuses at Physics/Chemistry/Math type classes.</p>
<p>Just ask your one friend who brags that he has 4.0 GPA, and studies for like 5minutes in History APs and Bio. I’m sure the first thing he’ll say is Math Based AP’s.</p>