[HPFGU-OTChatter] Intelligence versus interest (was Re: Ultimate Unofficial Guide)

[rvotaw at i-55.com]

Arice wrote:

> > However, I don't think we should automatically assume that <BR>
> *everyone* knows Sirius was going to be a black dog Animagus upon <BR>
> hearing his name for the first time and seeing that black dog for the <BR>
> first time. I didn't, does that make me stupid?<BR>
> > <BR>

Gwen replied:

> I didn't say I knew he would be a black dog Animagus. I said I knew <BR>
> that Sirius Black meant "black dog" - "Sirius" being the 
name of the <BR>
> dog-star. I've never taken an astronomy class or a Latin lesson in my <BR>
> life, btw.<BR>

Neither have I.  And I didn't relate Sirius to Sirius the dog star in the 
least.  Am I an idiot?  No.  At least I don't think so.  (I have an 
undergraduate degree in Elementary Education, and a Master's degree in 
Educational Technology with certification in Computer Literacy and English as a 
Second Language.  Say that three times fast. ;)  And graduated Summa Cum Laude, 
whatever that may mean.)

The point being, even though I've always had an interest in space, I never had 
much interest in astronomy as such.  My interests always leaned toward 
planets.  So there I sat with numerous books which would have told me that 
Sirius was the dog star, yet I skipped that chapter.  The horror.

Er, did I make a point yet?  I don't think so.  Anyway, I don't think anyone 
who doesn't immediately recognize various things is automatically stupid.  Some 
people's interests just lie in different areas.  I can't translate Greek, but I 
can cross stitch a Gryffindor crest.  On 22 count hardanger fabric.  Now, see, 
some people have no idea what that last sentence meant.  Are they stupid?  
Certainly not.  Am I (or anyone else) stupid because they didn't know Sirius 
was the dog star?  No.

Richelle

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