Anticipating

Back to Constituents of Intelligence

Discussion of the Capability in Individuals

When you think of a lemon for long enough your mouth will start to salivate in anticipation. The hair on your neck standing up when something startles you in the middle of the night is anticipation.

Realizing what is around you and gauging future events is also anticipation. Current trends can often suggest what will unfold. Anticipating this and taking necessary measures to accommodate change is a valuable skill. Good anticipation comes with experience. Knowing yourself and your tendencies can show you the path of least resistance and also avenues for opportunity.

Discussion of the capability in society

This faculty doesn't seem to work much like individual intelligence in American/Consumer society. Where in individuals anticipation triggers a heightened sense of awareness to protect oneself against harm, in society there doesn't seem to be much concern at all for how the world is increasingly heading for disaster.

How it currently works

• Stock markets try to anticipate trends; futures on commodities are traded
• Advertisers target anticipated desires of consumers
• Government agencies assess need and spend resources
• Polls are conducted to tests political and marketing messages alike

Potential deficiencies

All of the above