Shaun Kellett's Theory of Intelligence: A Brief look at how I rate the intelligence of myself and of others

Two half started blogs and one exam later here I am.

I haven't written in a while, not due to lack of things to write about, more to the fact I have been revising for this exam for the past few days and nights. My intermitant revision spliced with Left4Dead has left me with little time or little motivation to write. But now, despite having another exam to revise for Thursday morning, and being practically sleepless, I'm going to blog.

Now the exam I just spent 3 hours waffling on this morning was about Personality Theory and Intelligence, a reasonably interesting subject even if it was boring to be examined on. This has lead me to want to blog about Intelligence and how I judge it. So I shall. Please remember this is just my subjective opinion.

I think Intelligence is an incredibly complex thing to sum up in a few lines or with a simple score *cough*IQ tests*cough*. I think there are many different ways to be intelligent or to show intelligence, and at the end of it its all subjective. I've tried to sum up what I think are the main factors. So here you have it, Shaun Kelletts Theory of Intelligence.

Rationality: The ability to think objectively and rationally.
Rationality, or at least the ability to show rationality, is key to intelligence. I pride myself in my ability to think through a situation rationally, which could be why I link it so much to intelligence. This doesn't mean I am not emotional, in fact I am a very emotional person at times, but normally I can see why I am emotional, make rational judgements, and even think about the situation objectively. Whether I listen to myself or not is another matter and what that says about my own intelligence is interesting.
It's my opinion that intelligence requires the ability to reason logically and think through a situation making rationality, in my opinion, a linchpin. Someone who is able to look past they're own subjective views, look at something from different angles, and think objectively about a situation or arguement shows intelligence.

Understanding: Understanding of the world, of people, and of yourself.
Slightly different, I feel, from Rationality. Understanding, in my opinion, can be in many contexts but I will identify three. Understanding of the world, Understanding of people, and Understanding of Yourself.
Firstly the World. General Knowledge, or Common Sense, is quite possibly one of the most important factors. Those who lack an understanding of such things generally do not show the greatest intelligence. I know that this is socially specific, for instance those who have grown up without a computer will be computer illiterate, but there are some things which just take an application of general common sense and initive to understand and work. Its through an understanding of the world around us that I feel we best show intelligence, such academic studies like Science and Maths support this. This Understanding, be it at a general level, such as showing initive, or at a higher level, such as understanding a more complex science or the politics of the world, is vital to intelligence.
Secondly people. I think another sign of intelligence is the ability to read people. I think it shows an innate understanding to be able to know, or atleast to suspect, when someone is either upset, annoyed, or lying, just from certain tells. It's easier when you know somebody inside out, girlfriends/boyfriends, best friends, children, partners, but still the understanding is there and I think it shows an understanding and a knowledge which can be linked to intelligence.
Thirdly yourself. I have always considered it good of someone to be able to realise their flaws and short comings and this applies to my theory as its an understanding of yourself. This doesn't have to be negative as much of understanding yourself understands what you are capable of. If you know where you excel and can put this to your advantage.

Opinionation: The ability to create an informed opinion with a good arguemental basis.
This might seem to be completely opposite to Rationality, in that if something has a logical and factual outcome it can't be too subject to opinion. However, I feel that the ability to form an opinion and support it with an arguement shows intelligence. I don't think just having an opinion shows intelligence, such as the moon being made of cheese, but I think if someone can support and back up their opinion, give a judgement as to why it is so which is sound and stable, shows a certain degree of intelligence.

Creativity: The ability to create and portray new things in new ways.
Not necessarily the first thing you think of when thinking about Intelligence. Surely the ability to create is not linked with being Smart?... Or is it? Personally I think the ability to create shows an ability to understand, and an understanding shows intelligence. To write a story it has to work, it has to flow, and it has to appeal to others. By work I mean you can't simply create a fictional race without understanding the dynamics of a culture. By flow I mean it has to develop, show memorable characters and a decent well thought out plot. And finally by appeal I mean it has to be enjoyable for others to read. The same goes for art.
A lot of art shows subjectivity but also it shows a way of presenting an idea. It's one thing painting pretty pictures and taking pretty photographs but its another to do something creative and thought provoking with it. The ability to provoke thought is another key feature.

Now I wanted to round this off with a Fifth but I struggled. I wanted to have 'Maths, Science, and Linguistic ability' but I feel that they all come under Understanding. Albeit a deeper and more knowledgable Understanding. I also think Linguistic ability comes under Opinionation, with the ability to articulate a complex arguement in a fluid manor.

You might consider all this to be bias. I mentioned how I pride myself on my ability to have rational thoughts, I am also a creative writer, this blog is based on my opinion of intelligence, and through it I have hopefully showed an understanding. So now, you probably think I think I am pretty smart. I assure you I am not that arrogant. Personally I like to think I am of an Average, or maybe even an Above Average intelligence. Hope you all enjoyed, let me know what you think and how you would rate yourself!

Shaun Kellett
Clockwork Musings

On Set: ImagiNoir Part 2

It's really shaping up! And look at that actor at the bottom!

Today was the third shoot of ImagiNoir but the second one that I had attended to take stills of. I think I chose the good shoots to turn up for, the end scene and, today, the scene in the Don's office. I actually got to be the Don, and thats my head you can see up there. All I had to do was get shot in the head, not the most extravagant of roles really. I think Woody was a little dissapointed with the shoot today, but I reckon he will make it work in the end.

ImagiNoir is really shaping up well. I am excited to have people watch it and see what they think. My Story is actually going to be a film! Amazing!

In other news Gary McCloud asked me into his film the other day, and my first role on camera was of being dead. I think there is a common theme here. My characters are just seem to be killed off!

The 2009 House Awards!

Welcome Ladies and Gentlemen! It's that time of year again, when everyone is finishing University and getting ready to move home, so I feel it's time for the first ever annual House Awards! (And no Wood, they're not worth any Live Achievement Points)

The House Awards are specialised awards designed, by me, for members of the 13 Parker Close household along with one extra special category for outsiders!

House Awards are brought to you in association with Clockwork Musings and, I suppose, JohnWoodUK

A full list of nominations are as follows:
Matthew Common
Shaun Kellett
Kim Lippitt
Laura Perkins
Bronwen Russel-Jones

John 'Woody' Wood
Luke Woods

So without any further adue, lets begin!

*Warning: Some facts

may not be facts*

The 'Are you famous?' award for person most likely to make it big.
Shaun Kellett
Honourable Mention(s)
John Wood

Shaun Kellett takes this title for the sheer fact that his website is better then that of John Wood! (see also Best Website)

The 'Do you know how I know you're gay?' award for gayest housemate.
Luke Woods

Honourable Mention(s)
Luke Woods & Luke Woods

Whether it’s liking songs which are just that bit too gay, his collection of white vest tops or his obsession with candles and mood lighting. Luke Woods is the gayest housemate!

The ‘Green Fingers’ award for best gardener

Luke Woods

As Matthew Commons brief foray into gardening ended in a dead plant in the lounge Luke Woods still, and probably always will, hold the title for the best gardener within the house.

The 'Guys, I was so drunk last night' award for best drunk housemate
John Wood
Honourable Mention(s)
Matthew Common, Shaun Kellett, Luke Woods

Though there has been many a moment when a housemate has made himself look silly whilst drunk this year the achievement really goes to the John Wood for his excellent performance on the night of his 23rd Birthday. Though Luke Woods comes close with his recent display over the bathroom sink! Shall we have a bottle of wine now?

The 'How long you going to be in there?' award for longest time spent in the bathroom.
Matthew Common!
Honourable Mention(s)
John Wood

Housemates will know a little too well that not a day goes by when Matthew Common doesn't wake up and head straight for the bathroom to begin a 5 hour cleaning ritual in the shower. He has even been known to have two in one day!

The 'How many hits?' award for best website
Shaun Kellett
Not so Honourable Mention(s)
John Wood

It's no competition, half the housemates don't have websites, and Shaun Kelletts is obviously better!

The 'I'll do it tommorow' award for sheer bone idleness
Shaun Kellett
Honourable Mention(s)
John Wood

Whether its putting off Uni work, poor attendance, or simply not doing what needs to be done, the award goes to Shaun Kellett.

The 'Just one more level' award for housemate who spent the most time playing games.
John Wood
Honourable Mention(s)
Shaun Kellett

Though it could be considered a close one theres one housemate who just takes the lead. Be it for his 5 months straight playing time on WoW, his collection of almost 100 DS games, or simply playing Co-Op with his other housemates. Its John Wood!

The 'Knock before entering' award for housemate most likely to walk in on an embarassing moment.
Matthew Common
Honourable Mention(s)
John Wood

Whether you’re getting changed, with a girl, or just plain in an embarrassing position, Matthew Common has to be the winner of this. This presenter alone has had Matthew Common walk in on a few of the worst situations.

The 'Man, I'm tired of singing" Award for most likely to be in a boy band.
Luke Woods!

Honourable Mention(s)
Matthew Common, Shaun Kellett, John Wood

Whether its his expert knowledge of Sound and Live event technology, his excellent recital of any musical, or just because he's Luke Woods, it just has to be Luke Woods to win this award.

The 'Mr Fixit' award for most apt at fixing house problems.
Luke Woods!

This was no competition. Whatever is broken, be it chair, table, cupboard or more Luke Woods is always there with a handy selection of tools to help make these problems go away. He even works after midnight!

The 'No Strings Attached' award for best single housemate.

Matthew Common
Honourable Mention(s)
Shaun Kellett & Luke Woods

It’s a hard one to judge. Three single housemates but only one title but in the end the award goes to Matthew Common for his many sneaks away on nights out and even sneakier MSN conversations. Single, and looking, get him while you can Ladies!

The “Oh Happy Days!” Award for happiest housemate.

Matthew Common

Honourable Mention(s)

Shaun Kellett, John Wood, & Luke Woods

Though each housemate has their happy days, and in turn also their off days the happiest housemate has got to be Matthew Common. Not known for throwing strops or starting arguments, whether its dancing in your door, singing in a high pitched manor, or just generally brandishing a smile, Matthew Common is named the Happiest Housemate.

The “Pass the map” Award for Messiest Housemate

Shaun Kellett

Whether its the state of his room, the fact he almost constantly leaves stuff in John Woods room, Shaun Kellett has to be the messiest housemate. At least in the other peoples rooms you can see the floor!

The ‘Turner What?’ Award for most artistic housemate

John Wood.
Honourable Mention(s)
Matthew Common & Shaun Kellett

A tough decision as 3 out of 4 housemates express creativity regularly; be it through writing, photography or film making. John Wood slipped ahead of the other housemates for his current work and dedication to his film “ImagiNoir”.

The 'Wakey Wakey!' award for person most likely to sleep in all day.
Shaun Kellett
Honourable Mention(s)
John Wood

It may be 3:00pm, but Shaun Kellett might still be asleep! He has been known to spend so much time in bed that his housemates have forgotten what he may have looked like!

The 'When I say X you say Y' award for person with the best catchphrases

Luke Woods

Whether a single phrase or a whole statement it was no competition that Luke Woods has, not only the largest amount, but the most catchy of catchphrases!

The 'Where exactly?' award for most foriegn housemate

John Wood

As all the other housemates are from the Midlands, we just have to ask, Scarborough? Really?

The 'Wrinkly Chef Face' award for best cook.
John Wood!
Honourable Mention(s)
Luke Woods

Though two housemates have proven to be daring and inventive cooks John Wood sneaks ahead with his new found love of trying to cook something new and his bringing of cook books to the house.

And Last but not least:

The 'You might as well live here!" award for best frequent guest.

Bronwen Russel-Jones

Honourable Mention(s)
Laura Perkins, Kim Lippitt

The other two in the running were strong candidates indeed but Bronwen Russel-Jones just snuck in there recently. Though she may not have spent as many nights in the house as the other two, she did craft her own bed and she did bring chicken!

And there you have it folks! This concludes the 2009 House Awards for 13 Parker Close!

Whats on my plate?

A nice big juicy medium-rare steak? Not quite.
Currently my head is a pretty messy place and my own organisation has become an issue.

Not quite the issues I am dealing with

I can feel the stress building up within me and I hate being stressed. Normally I am so laidback a meteor could impact on the world and hardly shake me, so it just means I react all the more badly when it actually comes to having an ammount of stress. I have so much work, exams to revise for, and not to mention the fact my heart is vying for a place to dump all of its emotional baggage. It succeeded, to some extent, with the aid of alcohol on Friday night and has gained itself a firm and unreliquishing foothold in the creases of my mind that I can't seem to shake. All this, added to my other stressors, is giving me a major headache and major weird mood.

I can feel myself snapping at people, being irratable and generally pissed off and I don't want to be, or mean to be, it's just something I am going to have to get over within the next few weeks. When my work is in, and my exams are over, I can start a relaxation period, a time to get my head together and sort out this mess that its in. So this is kinda an appology of sorts, to all the people i've been harsh to or weird with over the past couple of days. I just need to handle this and things will be alright!

Shaun
Clockwork Musings

On Set: ImagiNoir

Coming to no cinema's near you, but probably coming to Vimeo in a week or so

So, I was "on set" today to see my housemate Woody film the final scenes of his adaption to my story. It's eally exciting stuff and I am even more excited to see the final product. I am pretty sure Woody has a solid idea of how to shoot the piece, as everytime we stop to chat about how we see it, we both see it in pretty similar ways, either that or he has a better idea then I do. I'm no director afterall! Well... Not yet!

The actors, Ross and Rhiannon, both did a really good Job. Especially considering there wasn't a script and a lot of the speech, which sadly is being muted out, was improvised at the time.

All in all it's going really well. Might encourage me to write more in future, I know it has encouraged me to write a short film over summer to film with Andy.

Shaun Kellett
Clockwork Musings