The Salem witch trials of 1692 in colonial Massachusetts continue to captivate people's imaginations to this day. The events that unfolded during that dark period of American history resulted in the execution of 20 people accused of practicing witchcraft. However, much of the hysteria and paranoia surrounding these trials can be traced back to a cabal of young girls who claimed to be possessed by witches. The cabal consisted of a group of girls, including Abigail Williams and Betty Parris, who were caught engaging in forbidden activities and blamed their misbehavior on witchcraft. This gave rise to a wave of accusations and trials that spread throughout the community, leading to the arrest and interrogation of many innocent people. The main idea is that the manipulation and deceit of this cabal set in motion a chain of events that would have far-reaching consequences.
They tend to be highly sensitive and aware of others' actions. Good at reading people, they easily pick up shortcomings, dishonest intentions and weaknesses of the mind. They do not suffer fools gladly; that is, they may not be patient or willing to spend time with those they believe to be of lesser ability or knowledge.
They are rarely satisfied with mediocrity or whatever they have achieved in life because their high IQ gives them the power to imagine bigger and better things. When your mind works at extreme speeds and deep complexity, not many people can follow you or grasp your views on everything spanning from philosophy to global affairs.
The main idea is that the manipulation and deceit of this cabal set in motion a chain of events that would have far-reaching consequences. These events not only impacted the lives of the accused but also perpetuated a culture of fear and suspicion in the community. The accusations against the accused were based on spectral evidence, which allowed the prosecution to present testimony from the afflicted girls about seeing the alleged witches' spirits tormenting them.
Book Recommendation: “Curse of the High IQ” by Aaron Clarey
I just finished reading “Curse of the High IQ” by Aaron Clarey. I’ve read a couple of, well, self-help books for people with high IQ and in comparison to those books, I really liked his style. Given that he runs a service called “Asshole Consulting” (see this posting) it is no surprise his style is … somewhat blunt, but also — thankfully — no-nonsense. He bases his observations and analyses on his own experience — apparently an IQ of 141 or 138 — and his clients and friends experiences.
In general, I am weary of (mostly) unsystematic observation. Some of the things he writes about might be illusory correlations or just plain wrong. It’s hypocritical to argue against unsystematic observation with ones own unsystematic observation, but in my experience, people notice problems with high IQ usually only when there are, well, problems with high IQ. Might sound trivial, but I guess with many people you don’t notice the high IQ, just the high performance. Of course they have to be smart, but that never becomes the focus. You’re captured by their work. But if a smart person has problems, then both the problems and the high intelligence (indicated by the high performance in at least one area) come into focus. There’s an inconsistency. This person has problems, yet did some amazing stuff, so s/he can’t be dumb. That is noticeable. Personally, I am pretty sure most people with high IQ don’t really have problems, and they are too busy performing to notice their high IQ as a potential problem. It’s those who have problems for whom the high IQ becomes an issue.
But this objection is moot, given that the people who read books like these are likely part of the same subgroup of high-IQ people who also have problems. So while his book might not generalize to all high IQ people, it might generalize to his readers. So, essentially, no problem. He also recommends to get one’s IQ tested, which is always nice (please, no more people self-diagnosing intelligence high intelligence, or psychological disorders).
And regarding the problems, he goes into a number of problems high IQ people have — mostly simply due to (per definition) statistical rarity and the way the world works. He covers the major issues from education to career to dating and friends and the like. And while doing so, he’s honest enough not to promise heaven and earth:
This isn’t a promise that all the problems abnormally intelligent people suffer will go away. Matter of fact, many of these problems have no solution as they’re just inherent to the nature of statistics and your only option is to suck it up and endure it. But at minimum we can provide an explanation as to why you’re feeling down, why you drink, why you can’t find friends, why you can’t hold a job, etc. It may not result in happiness, sobriety, or an active social life, but it will at least provide an explanation and the precious sanity that comes with it.
Clarey (2016)
And after describing the problems as he sees them (strongly influenced by his personality), he leaves the reader the choice what to do. It’s a “this is how I see it, the decision is yours” style.
So, overall, an interesting and short read. I agree with the person who wrote his foreword:
Prepare to be reaffirmed in many opinions you may already have, but felt you needed to keep quiet due to societal pressures/conditions, professional aspirations, or friends and loved ones. One thing all of us who are fans have in common is that we love that there’s someone who says what we’ve all been thinking.
Matt Baldoni in Clarey (2016)
Recommended for a different take on high IQ.
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The "nutty professor" stereotype has glorified the idea that highly intelligent types are too advanced for the basics, thus not very good at the practicalities of everyday life.
This type of evidence was highly unreliable and subjective but was deemed admissible in court, leading to numerous wrongful convictions. The hysteria reached its peak during the Salem witch trials, with the accused being subjected to harsh interrogation methods, such as the infamous "witch dunking" test, where suspected witches were thrown into water to see if they would float or sink. If they floated, it was considered evidence of their guilt. The trials eventually came to an end when influential individuals, such as Governor William Phips, began questioning the validity of the spectral evidence and the fairness of the court proceedings. Phips eventually disbanded the court and released the remaining accused individuals. The Salem witch trials serve as a cautionary tale of the dangers of mass hysteria, ignorance, and the power of manipulation. They highlight the devastating consequences that can result when fear and superstition cloud judgment and lead to the persecution of innocent people. Overall, it is vital to remember the role played by the cabal of girls in perpetuating the witchcraft hysteria and the role of fear and ignorance in fueling these trials. By understanding these factors, we can better appreciate the lessons learned from one of the darkest chapters in American history..
Reviews for "Salem's Witchcraft Cab: A Fascinating Relic of the Past"
1. Jane - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with "Cab of Witchcraft in Salem". The plot was scattered and confusing, making it difficult to follow along. The characters lacked depth and I found it hard to connect with any of them. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and inconsistent, which made for a frustrating reading experience. Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-crafted and engaging story.
2. John - 2 stars - As a fan of paranormal and witchcraft-themed novels, I was excited to read "Cab of Witchcraft in Salem", but it fell short of my expectations. The premise had potential, but unfortunately, the execution was lacking. The pacing was slow and the story dragged on, making it hard to stay engaged throughout. The dialogues felt forced and unnatural, and the character development was minimal. While I appreciated the author's attempt to incorporate historical elements, it didn't quite mesh well with the contemporary setting, leaving me unsatisfied with the overall reading experience.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - "Cab of Witchcraft in Salem" had an intriguing concept, but it failed to deliver on many levels. The writing was dull and lacked excitement, which made it difficult to stay interested in the story. The protagonist was underdeveloped and their actions often felt unrealistic. The plot twists were predictable, and the resolution felt rushed and unsatisfying. Overall, I found this book to be a letdown and would not recommend it to fellow readers who enjoy paranormal or witchcraft-related genres.
4. Michael - 1 star - I had high hopes for "Cab of Witchcraft in Salem", but it was a major disappointment. The storyline was convoluted and filled with inconsistencies, which made it hard to follow and understand the motivations of the characters. The lack of proper world-building and descriptive writing left me feeling disconnected from the setting and unable to fully immerse myself in the story. The book also suffered from numerous typos and grammatical errors, which further hindered my enjoyment. I would advise others to skip this book and find a more well-crafted and thought-provoking read instead.
5. Emily - 2 stars - I found "Cab of Witchcraft in Salem" to be a lackluster read. The plot felt disjointed and the pacing was uneven, leading to a tedious reading experience. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth, making it hard to care about their fates. The dialogue was stilted and unnatural, failing to create authentic interactions between the characters. Overall, I was disappointed with this book and would not recommend it to others seeking an engaging and well-written paranormal story.