Taryn Hecker: Dumb is Subjective

“Some people could say I was “dumb” or underqualified to do my job as a reporter because I dropped out of college to take a job at The Coeur d’Alene Press. I ain’t got no fancy degree so maybe that makes me “dumb.” Others could say I got some on-the-job training and experience that made me smarter than J-school grads with no practical training.

I know men who don’t have an education beyond junior high who are far wiser than some of the college grads I know.

I know people who are terrible public speakers and socially awkward, yet extremely brilliant.

And I know people who are poor who are far, far richer than some of the people on this blog.”

What’s your definition of “dumb”? How/why do you decide if something or someone is dumb— or smart?