My friends in college who had more street smarts than book smarts were the first to receive job offers upon graduating. Someone who is intelligent, learns well, and educated very well academically. The only people that ive heard say that theyre street smart are the dumbest. In the article, hidden intellectualism, gerald graff discusses the topic of book smart versus street smart. Street smarts over book smarts gerald graff is a professor of english and education in the university of illinois at chicago. Intelligent people are often street smart, in that they have learned from their own experiences. However, they dont necessarily have a deeper comprehension of the topic.
Were talking about street smarts versus book smarts, and these two could not be. You are essentially studying what someone else has discovered. It means youve learned how to take what has happened to you, good or bad, think about it, and learn to improve from it. What are the advantages of book smarts vs street smarts answers. Book smart vs street smart getting rich and staying rich. Essay on street smarts versus book smarts 706 words bartleby. The authors is very persuasive using real life examples. Intelligent people are sometimes street smart because they have learned from experiences rather than books. However, the term is usually used to contrast and compare with another term known as street smart. Conversely, street smart people are often demeaned simply because they are classified as those who didnt have the right stuff to attend an institute of higher learning.
What you will find is many books instructing you how to improve specific skillsets that, combined, could be called street smarts. It could be difficult to tell, especially for those who are a combination of both. I have seen a lot of book smart people with the most unbalanced life with no success. The answer to that question says much about who you are and what you want out of life. The figured world of smartness in the lives of marginalized, urban youth. Street smarts vs book smarts talking about thinking. You have learned things you cant just read about in books. Both stereotypes arent always true and any semblance of them are only due to different lifestyles and experiences.
Book smart people are often educated to a high level. May 21, 2008 book smarts are the facts and data you get by studying books and going to school. Why street smarts always win out over book smarts when it. Book smart people are often educated to a high level 6. It is great to read a book and learn about a particular subject, viewpoint or opinion. Whether one is more versed in street smarts or book smarts depends on the circumstances one has grown up under. Graff explains i believe that street smarts beat out book smarts in our culture not because street smarts are nonintellectual, as we generally suppose, but because they satisfy an intellectual thirst more thoroughly than school culture, which seems pale and unreal 202. It solely is a theoretical understanding of facts or ideas. Maybe some people rely on book smarts for some answers but rely on street smarts for other answers. Difference between book smart and street smart, book smart is simply describing that the person as generally intelligent, well educated and do well academically. Being street smart puts you at the centre of the knowledge. The definition heres how the dictionary defines the two street smarts.
Ive always wondered in the back of my mind what the actual outcome of this would be, so i was pretty excited when i saw your title. The truth is, being book smart and street smart has a lot more to do than just your upbringing and personality. As an individual who i feel possesses an equal measure of book smarts and street smarts, i believe i can speak on this topic. Street smarts scott berkun are you book smart or street smart. However, street smarts and book smarts completely mean different things. You know the ins and outs that can only be gained by doing. We should in theory love each other but weve got the street smarts over here that knows human nature and knows exactly how it is. People who have streetsmarts may not have read as many books or earned college degrees.
Being street smart means having interest in other activities more than in school work, while being book smart is the complete opposite of that. What are some of the best books to develop street smarts. Listen to the the tai lopez show episode street smarts vs. There are many survival skills that are not present in books and can be. Street smarts vs book smarts, the epic debate continued. What are the advantages of book smarts vs street smarts. The ladies of the real share their views, in this girl chat. Tomas chamorropremuzic, hr examiner editorial advisory board contributor. Some people are analytically intelligent or book smart. Nonetheless, street smarts trump book smarts any day. Street smart can keep you safe as they can handle problems very easily. Just to set an example in regardings to the topic, when the economy comes down to a threat where individuals will be drafted to war, street smarts will doubt less and think of strategies in order to survive through the battlefield,while on the other hand book smarts are hesitating about.
Both would be better naturally, one could argue that having a fair share of wellread book smarts to go along with street smarts field experience is the ideal background for an aspiring job. Jan 30, 2018 being street smart beats being book smart any day of the week. Book smarts refer to the education, schooling and other kinds of knowledge that one has acquired. Emotional intelligence vs intellectual intelligence wolf. This comes from the street smart world of street smarts. On this program we talk about words and expressions that we use in. Tomas has published 9 books and over 140 scientific. Advisory board, leadership, learning, talent management, by dr. While which one is more helpful can be a matter of debate and also depends on the context, it is generally seen that street smarts weigh more on the scale when it comes. The author claims that people are better off if they are more street smart than book smart. Book smart people have a lot of general knowledge and do well at quizzes, but they might struggle with more complex ideas. According to my opinion i feel street smarts are much better than book smarts. Now, its time for words and their stories from voa learning english.
When people discuss street smarts and book smarts, its usually implied that you can only have one or the other. Another huge distinction between book smarts and street smarts is who is in the middle of the knowledge. It has a lot to do with your preferred learning style, and which way you perceive the world. Book smart is simply describing that the person as generally intelligent, well educated and do. Like, youre not smart, so atleast you know some things. Graff debates the common belief that having book smarts gives one an intellectual advantage over other forms of intellectualism. Street smarts trump book smarts if you want to get. It is from experiences such as mine that we get our education of life. In the book smarts world, theyll say, well, people should, in theory, love each other. In the beginning he emphasizes that his knowledge of business comes from street smarts, beginning with the lessons he learned on the street from his father. While intelligence has been defined in many different ways including as ones capacity for logic, understanding, selfawareness, learning, emotional knowledge, planning, creativity, and problemsolving. The difference between streetwise and book smart goes deeper than just intelligence or knowledge, however.
I respect what graff, and x have to say and agree with them, both book and street smarts are very important. Book smart vs street smart essay research paper example. For me, i believe whatever we are book smarts or street smarts, we still can learn something from our teacher. Essay on street smarts versus book smarts 706 words. Using your intelligence effectively in college by frozenflan on january 31, 2014 its the question weve all had in our minds as soon as our brains were capable of thought. The prime distinction between street smarts and book smarts is who is at the center of the knowledge.
Jun 18, 2014 whether one is more versed in street smarts or book smarts depends on the circumstances one has grown up under. Permalink motely fool has an article on this focuses on going to college as the criteria for being book smart which is perhaps narrower than mine. Dec 14, 2005 book smarts or street smarts better at work. Characterized by their love of learning, book smart people are organized and prepared for any situation. How do you know someone is naturally smart vs book smart. However, for some people, it could be a more clearcut answer. Street smarts often act out in school because theyre forced to learn in ways that dont make use of their talents. What is the difference between street smarts and book. Well feature a different book each week and share exclusive deals you.
Analyzing details from books is excellent practice for tackling problems in the real world. Malcolm x obviously had the street smarts, but like graff he mixed his new book smarts with his street smarts to be successful in life. For many people, there is no difference between smart and intelligent, because the. Sep 10, 2017 the general definition of book smart is someone who is intelligent and very well educated academically. Gerald uses his childhood to prove how he becomes a street smart. Graff debates the common belief that having book smarts gives one an. Intellectualism by gerald graff is street smarts versus book smarts. Book smarts derive their knowledge from theories and books and street smarts from experiences. Intelligent people tend to use their instincts more to make decisions whereas book smart people rely on tried and tested strategies 5.
While many, if not most, people hold book smarts in the highest regard, the truth is. Gerald graff is an english professor at the university of illinois and has written many books. Usa today street smarts is another great read from one of the most astute global investors of our time. A shrewd ability to survive in a dangerous urban environment. Mark twain book smarts vs street smarts is as intense of a battle as the current presidential election. Motely fool has an article on this focuses on going to college as the criteria for being book smart which is perhaps narrower than mine. So lets find out if youre booksmart or streetsmart. Tomas has published 9 books and over 140 scientific papers h index 60. While people with book smarts may be able to study all week and ace a midterm, they may lack some serious common sense or the ability to converse and interact with people with ease, which comes naturally to those who have learned through their experiences, rather than classroom instruction. I say all this as someone who has a deep love for books, and who has some degree of what might be called book smarts. However, the underlying idea is that the person deals with situations especially bad or difficult situations from an intellectual d.
Book smarts in academia 28 words 6 pages our society has always had an obsession with labels whether in the form of fashion, our description of personal relationships, or the way we see ourselves as individuals. Youre not going to find a tome that helps you to be smarter on the street. Apr 29, 2018 2 thoughts on street smarts vs book smarts scolon april 29, 2018 at 6. This distinction is a direct challenge by the youth to the dominant discourse of smartness or book smarts as it operates in schools. To the youth, street smarts are more important because they are connected to being able to maneuver through structures in their lives such as poverty, the police, street culture, and abusive others. Both malcolm x, and gerald graff make very interesting points about street and book smarts. This type of intelligence is used to recall or recognize, analyze, evaluate, and. Usually people considered to be book smart are known as lacking in street smarts, and vice versa, as theory and practice both have.
Theyre experts at recalling, recognizing, and analyzing information. So which are the differences between book smarts and really intelligent people. What is the difference between street smarts and book smarts. I definitely believe that you must have both street and book smarts to be the most successful in life. We string them into jewels or into tinware, as we may choose. Oct 25, 2006 book smarts are the facts and data you get by studying books and going to school. Most people who are street smart arent very book smart and vice versa.
It cant be denied that the books smarts are indeed smart. Apr 18, 2011 street smarts over book smarts gerald graff is a professor of english and education in the university of illinois at chicago. Book smart is defined as having knowledge obtained from study and books. The general definition of book smart is someone who is intelligent and very well educated academically. Street smart the psychology of good and bad judgment.
The more extreme and negative stereotypes are that book smart people are naive, easily manipulated, and have bad judgment in bad situations, while street smart people are unintelligent and incapable of achieving a higher education. There are many survival skills that are not present in books and can be learnt only through experiences. On todays episode of the tai lopez show, we are discussing the balance of street smarts and book smarts. Being street smart beats being book smart any day of the week. Book smarts are the facts and data you get by studying books and going to school.
So, his point is schools and colleges need to give the street smarts some opportunities that channel them in to good academic work. Book smart is simply describing that the person as generally intelligent, well educated and do well academically. The world is full of people who are either book smart or street smart. Intelligent people may or may not have been educated to a higher level 8. We know which of these two we have more of, and what areas of the other we need to work on, but how exactly do we go about doing this. Those who are more street smart tend to handle many difficult problems with ease because they understand how to neutralize tough situations and stand up for what they believe in. The kind of smarts you possess say much about what you value the most. Unbelievable egotheres a lot of buzz about the new season of the apprentice where book smarts takes on street smarts. Well feature a different book each week and share exclusive deals you wont find.
However, once people stopped shoving books down my throat and i got to pick my own choices, i began loving them. Book smart people are wellread and possess a wealth of knowledge. While its not any better to be book smart than it is to be street smart, this quiz will aim to determine which type of intelligence you possess. Whereas, street smarts refers to the experiential knowledge on things. With wisdom, humor, and amusing antidotes, the investment biker recounts his lifes experiences in a manner that is as entertaining as it is educational. Street smarts also known as practical knowledge or common sense is essential to orienting yourself in everyday situations, whether its getting around a new neighborhood. In graffs essay, hidden intellectualism, graff compares street smarts to book smarts. Book smart people have often studied hard to achieve their level of knowledge. But, if you say that your street smart, i think that is equivalent or just an existing term to being fucking stupid. Educational environments are often oppressive for street smart people. Simply put, a person who has book smarts is someone who is intelligent and well educated academically.
So many years ago and still today many people think and say that iq was the most important factor for success and developing a healthy life style. Street smarts is a worthwhile business book, and i do recommend this book to anyone interested in entrepreneurial material, however the author played a bit of a deception in the reader. What is the difference between book smart and street smart. On this program we talk about words and expressions that we use in everyda. Street smarts, however, encompasses knowledge that generally cannot be learned through education but rather, from experience. Most important perhaps, being street smart comes from experience. Intelligent people may or may not have been educated to a higher level. Get heaping discounts to books you love delivered straight to your inbox. Street smarts trump book smarts if you want to get seriously rich.
Growing up, i was very street smart but not so book smart. Why you need to be street smart, not book smart better. As a specialist in projectbased learning, i couldnt pass up the opportunity to use this network program to highlight the pros and cons of traditional education. The stereotype of a book smart person is someone who is upperclass and well educated but less knowledgeable when it comes to handling important situations faced in bad neighborhoods and lower.