Kathakali Chatterjee wrote this article.
I am sure the word "clever" is insulting and derogatory to some people -- they would "rather be good" than be clever. I was one of them until I read this, mostly because "being good" sounded more pleasant than "being clever" and there is no one on this earth who would like to be known as "nice" than "shrewd. It's not even possible to use the word "clever" as simple praise without being sarcastic or down right abusive.
I am sure the word "clever" is insulting and derogatory to some people -- they would "rather be good" than be clever. I was one of them until I read this, mostly because "being good" sounded more pleasant than "being clever" and there is no one on this earth who would like to be known as "nice" than "shrewd. It's not even possible to use the word "clever" as simple praise without being sarcastic or down right abusive.
We are usually skeptical about "clever" people, as we have a tendency
to connect it with the word "shrewd," which in turn, is interpreted as
'manipulative."
It's easy to label a certain human characteristic as questionable but
it might just be a pro-active way of self preservation on the part of a
clever person and the implementation of sheer disliking of being
controlled by others.
According to the "Chambers Reference Online"
"clever" means -
1. Good or quick at learning and understanding.
2. Skillful, dexterous, nimble or adroit.
3. Well thought out; ingenious. Its root sense of being skillful and understanding is not lost but has gradually become metaphorical, the word now implies a kind of intellectual deception, mere mental tricks and technique designed to confuse an honest fellow.
We do have a moral obligation to be intelligent, but do we have an obligation to be clever as well, as it means now? I didn't want to be known as one of the "clever" people till I read this, but interestingly enough - I didn't want to be known as "stupid" either.
Being "clever" needs more mental agility, which I certainly do not possess; at the same time I think I am happy to be a silent observer outside the ring. We might not like a "clever" person, but we certainly can't deny their existence in the professional world. What does it take to be clever?
Definitely staying ahead of the curve, anticipating change and acting according to it are the clear signals of being one - more so, they have a mission in life and they know how to accomplish it.
Does that indicate "clever people need stupids" around them to be successful in life? One thing is for sure - if everyone tries to lead then it definitely ends up being a chaos. It seems "intelligence is inherited" , but "cleverness" is "earned". I don't think it's wrong to be clever but the word carries a "negative" connotation with it because "clever" people are capable of being unpredictable and their unpredictability can lead to both good and bad -- depending on their judgment.
My friend showed me a very interesting article in Harvard Business Review which spoke about "leading clever people" in the work place which intrigued me enormously. "Clever people" in the work place can be both be assets and liability as they are quite sure of their competency and are very hard to be led. The "clevers" in the workplace surely know what they want from the organization and how they want it.
In fact, they even know how to achieve it and the "knowing" at times blurs the line between mere black and white and so called morality. The meaning of "clever" is transformed from "skillful" to "shrewd" and we have a natural disliking for the latter as it prevents us to draw any simple conclusion about that characteristic of the person as he/she has an innate capacity to hide their true self. They can't be read, judged or mapped.
But, we can't do without them. The world needs them for their ingenuity to move forward. The world also needs "us" as an observer. It's certainly pays off to be clever-savvy than to be naive in the professional world -- you never know who is working in your next cubicle.
1. Good or quick at learning and understanding.
2. Skillful, dexterous, nimble or adroit.
3. Well thought out; ingenious. Its root sense of being skillful and understanding is not lost but has gradually become metaphorical, the word now implies a kind of intellectual deception, mere mental tricks and technique designed to confuse an honest fellow.
We do have a moral obligation to be intelligent, but do we have an obligation to be clever as well, as it means now? I didn't want to be known as one of the "clever" people till I read this, but interestingly enough - I didn't want to be known as "stupid" either.
Being "clever" needs more mental agility, which I certainly do not possess; at the same time I think I am happy to be a silent observer outside the ring. We might not like a "clever" person, but we certainly can't deny their existence in the professional world. What does it take to be clever?
Definitely staying ahead of the curve, anticipating change and acting according to it are the clear signals of being one - more so, they have a mission in life and they know how to accomplish it.
Does that indicate "clever people need stupids" around them to be successful in life? One thing is for sure - if everyone tries to lead then it definitely ends up being a chaos. It seems "intelligence is inherited" , but "cleverness" is "earned". I don't think it's wrong to be clever but the word carries a "negative" connotation with it because "clever" people are capable of being unpredictable and their unpredictability can lead to both good and bad -- depending on their judgment.
My friend showed me a very interesting article in Harvard Business Review which spoke about "leading clever people" in the work place which intrigued me enormously. "Clever people" in the work place can be both be assets and liability as they are quite sure of their competency and are very hard to be led. The "clevers" in the workplace surely know what they want from the organization and how they want it.
In fact, they even know how to achieve it and the "knowing" at times blurs the line between mere black and white and so called morality. The meaning of "clever" is transformed from "skillful" to "shrewd" and we have a natural disliking for the latter as it prevents us to draw any simple conclusion about that characteristic of the person as he/she has an innate capacity to hide their true self. They can't be read, judged or mapped.
But, we can't do without them. The world needs them for their ingenuity to move forward. The world also needs "us" as an observer. It's certainly pays off to be clever-savvy than to be naive in the professional world -- you never know who is working in your next cubicle.
This is a fascinating topic, Katha!
I never liked the term "clever" -- I always found it condescending and a dangerous label.
Hi Katha,
I've always thought of being clever as being able to figure out how to work within what ever situation you find yourself facing, so I've always thought it is a good thing.
Maybe it's Erykah Badu's song Cleva that has always made being clever seem like a good thing. She sings about how she's Cleva -- "always on your mind" -- even though her dress is $7, she isn't a barbie doll when she isn't wearing make-up that reinforces the notion that being clever is a good thing.
Hi Katha,
"The meaning of 'clever' is transformed from 'skillful' to 'shrewd' and we have a natural disliking for the latter as it prevents us to draw any simple conclusion about that characteristic of the person as he/she has an innate capacity to hide their true self. They can’t be read, judged or mapped."
Yes, the phrase "clever like a fox" implies someone who can beat the system; one who is esteemed for their abiltiy to think outside the box.
But the phrase also has a negative connotation. Sure the person is able to "beat the system," but they also are labeled as sly and cagey and not to be trusted.
No one admires the fox. The "foxy one" is someone who is clever and able to beat the odds, but not a person who is noted for their integrity.
A "foxy chick" is one who is sexy and beguiling and generally deceptive. Not one for a role model.
You are correct that "clever" can be a two-edged sword. Smart on the one hand and deceptive on the other.
Donna
Hi David!
Thank you!
Is there any particular reason that you don't like the term?
Thanks for the wonderful song Chris!
I agree being clever is good thing, as long as you are not using it against to your near and dear ones.
You need to know who to spare and how.
Donna,
I have to admit that I am not one of them but I admire them - just because they are "slick" - even if they are being clever.
A clever person has the power of being both mean and good, we can only pray that he will use the latter.
Becuase when a clever one is good, that is mindblowing!
Fox is sly, but there is a difference - they can't hide their meanness, if you ever observe one - you can tell by their very actions that they are sly, cunning. They do have razor-sharp intelligence, but that only causes harm.
Hi Kathakali,
fabulous post! i've noticed most organizations ruthlessly weed out the clever ones just because they make life difficult for their peers (by setting standards that are visibly higher than their own, thereby breeding jealously, insecurity and hatred) and their bosses because they put pressure or their own leadership abilities. something that they'd much rather live without, thank you very much! as for the perceived value that they provide, the organization figures it's just not worth the trouble. :)
also, if the clever one devotes her time to her work and keeps out of the politics, it's much easier for the politikers to outplay the individual simply because she isn't even watching out for the games.
Hi Dananjay,
Thanks!
The segment we are talking about is very rare, it's them who control the environment, not the other way round.
And the whole "controlling" thing is so smooth that most of the time it goes unnoticed... :D