“For instance, on the planet Earth, man had always assumed that he was more intelligent than dolphins because he had achieved so much — the wheel, New York, wars and so on — whilst all the dolphins had ever done was muck about in the water having a good time. But conversely, the dolphins had always believed that they were far more intelligent than man — for precisely the same reasons.”
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About this quote
The idea pushes you to notice that intelligence is measured by the standards you choose. People often count visible accomplishments while overlooking comfort, play, and balance. Ask yourself which measurements you use to judge others and yourself. Shift your yardstick and you will change who you admire and what you aim to do.
When to use it
- At a product meeting where everyone chases metrics, say: “Think like Adams — are we building what looks impressive or what actually makes users happier?”
- While packing for a family beach trip, remind your spouse: “Dolphins would judge us by whether we relax, not by what we packed.”
- In a philosophy seminar about intelligence, respond: “Adams’ point flips the question — whose standards are we using?”
- After a colleague brags about long hours and awards, tell them: “You sound proud of the skyline; remember dolphins might think you missed the swim.”