The Inquiry

On Intelligence

What we mean by a good mind — and why the measure keeps betraying us.

3 pieces

Essay·5 min
The Cult of the Clever
We have confused intelligence with the performance of it. The costliest ideas of our age were not stupid — they were brilliant, and that was the problem.
June 24, 2026
Essay·6 min
Is Artificial Intelligence Leading to Ossification of Human General Intelligence?
We built machines to extend our minds. The quiet risk is that in leaning on them, we let the muscles they were meant to assist quietly wither.
June 28, 2026
Essay·5 min
Intelligence Is Not a Scalar
The moment we agreed intelligence could be ranked on a single line, we agreed to be ruled by whoever sat highest on it.
April 30, 2026