This hipster perspective on intelligence resonated with me

Yesterday, while driving to San Diego, I admired the beautiful views, especially the ocean to my right. This sentiment then filled my mind: our planet is probably the only place in the entire cold universe that’s so beautiful and full of life. I realize that statistically, there must be other habitable planets. Still, I often sense that we might be the only life in the entire universe. We — collectively, the planet and the different life forms on it — are the only jewel in the infinite vastness of the cold and lifeless cosmos. There was a negative angle to my feelings as I thought about humanity’s ability to not appreciate the existential privilege we’re born into and the idiotic and tragic tendencies to fight wars and cause destruction.

Later in the day, I was scrolling through my LinkedIn feed and came across a curious post I wished I saved. It mentioned IQ, the conventional measure of intelligence, EQ (emotional intelligence), and then NQ, as a new perspective on intelligence. NQ stands for “nature intelligence” — being in tune with and appreciative of nature and acting accordingly.

I realize I’m entering a very subjective territory with the NQ concept. There is no science to back up this approach, and no studies that attempt to link one’s relationship with nature and intelligence. That’s why I used the word “hipster” in the title of my story. Hugging trees doesn’t mean you’re smart in the conventional sense of the word.