The sky right now, as I write this, is stretched wide and luminous with countless stars. It is midnight, the 14th of February. It is my birthday; on Valentine’s Day, I feel so special. And on this night, I want to speak of two things that are deeply valued in my life: education and good values. I have always felt that intelligence, whether it’s shaped by formal education or sharpened by street smartness when tends to join with strong values, it makes one truly distinctive. It’s wonderful to work on these two qualities throughout one’s life. I write this today, thinking of intelligenceas a kind of cosmic survival strategy, because of the profound importance it holds in our lives.
Intelligence is one of the most exceptionally great traits to have. And the best part is that it can be learned. It can be developed. That itself makes intelligence special. It is not limited to birth or biology. It grows with awareness, curiosity, and observation. When I say please think of intelligence as a cosmic survival strategy, I want you to notice the patterns. You see, Whenever life faces uncertainty, intelligence rises. This has been happening since ancient civilizations. It is happening in the modern world. And it will continue to happen in the future. Mathematics, medicine, architecture, astronomy and ancient civilizations across the world thrived because of intelligence.
On Earth, intelligence appeared long before humans built machines. Animals carry intelligence within them. Birds migrate without maps. Animals hide, sense danger, and work together. They adjust instead of resisting. This is intelligence in its purest form, learning how to live without destroying what surrounds you. Along with intelligence, I personally strongly believe that values matter just as much , if not more. Skills can be learned, knowledge can be updated, but character is an asset that stays with us for life. Intelligence without values can become harmful, but intelligence guided by values becomes wisdom. Values shape how we use our intelligence; whether we use it to build or to break, to include or to dominate. Honesty, empathy, responsibility, and integrity help us remain human in an increasingly technological world. In the long run, it is not just intelligence that helps us survive, but values that help us live well, earn trust, and create a future worth surviving in.
If we look back at ancient civilizations, this pattern becomes even clearer. In ancient civilization, intelligence was deeply rooted in observation of nature and the cosmos. Aryabhata, the great Indian mathematician and astronomer. In 499 AD, in his book Aryabhatiya, he shared ideas that were far ahead of his time.
Aryabhata clearly stated that the Earth is round and that it rotates on its own axis. At a time when many believed the sky revolved around the Earth, he explained that it only appears that the Sun and stars move across the sky—when in reality, it is the Earth that is rotating. This shows not just knowledge, but deep observational intelligence.
He worked extensively with mathematics and geometry, laying early foundations for what later developed into algebra and trigonometry. Aryabhata also calculated the value of pi with remarkable accuracy for his time. The Earth was understood as Bhugol—round, almost spherical. This was not imagination. This was careful study.
The North Star was used for navigation. Direction, time, and seasons were understood by looking at the sky. Even today, we “rediscover” many of these ideas using modern instruments. But the intelligence was already there.
There is also a beautiful example in ancient Indian astronomy involving the stars Arundhati and Vashishtha (known in English as Alcor and mizar - binary star system). These two stars circle each other. During weddings, couples were asked to see them together as a symbol of partnership and balance. Ancient scholars knew these stars moved together long before modern telescopes confirmed it. Science, symbolism, and human life were simply woven together.
This wasn’t unique to India. Mesopotamian civilizations tracked time and stars. Egyptian pyramids aligned with celestial bodies. Cleopatra was not just known for her beauty ; she was known for her intelligence. She spoke multiple languages, understood politics, and ruled strategically. Her beauty rituals were also deeply intelligent. She studied nature and used what worked best for the human body. Milk baths for skin nourishment, honey for healing, oils for moisture, aloe vera for repair I really don’t think of them as random luxuries. They were early forms of natural science. In China, Empress Wu Zetian was known as a powerful ruler and also for her understanding of medicine, skincare, and wellness. Ancient Chinese royalty used jade rollers, herbal treatments, and breathing practices; again, intelligence drawn from nature.
Why did these civilizations rise? Why did they last? How did these legends know so much. The answer, again and again, is intelligence.
Even today, in the age of artificial intelligence, the same pattern continues. I recently learned about an app called Moltbook where only AI’s are allowed to participate. These AIs are developing their own language, their own systems, even their own religion called church of moly. It is meant only for them, unreadable to humans.
But it is humans and their intelligence that eventually will find a way to understand it.
Why? Because that is what intelligence does. It observes and adapts. This has been happening since ancient times. Intelligence always finds a forward
So The real question is: are we actively developing Intelligence ?
We can build intelligence in simple daily ways—by asking questions instead of accepting everything blindly, by reading, by observing nature, by learning from history, by listening to people different from us. By slowing down. By reflecting. By choosing awareness over impulse.
And perhaps that is why intelligence exists at all, For us to survive within cosmos wisely. As The universe is vast and unpredictable. The Stars burn out. Planets change. Environments collapse and rebuild. In such a place, survival is not always about being the strongest. Sometimes, it is simply about being aware. From ancient astronomy to artificial intelligence, intelligence keeps rising whenever the unknown demands understanding.
Here’s a few ways to develop intelligence.
Read things you disagree with
This is to understand how other minds work. This stretches intelligence beyond comfort.
5. Learn to explain complex ideas simply
If you can explain something in simple words, you truly understand it. Teaching—even to yourself—builds clarity.
6. Notice your own thinking patterns
Ask yourself: Why do I think this way? Where did this belief come from? Self-awareness is a deep form of intelligence.
Make connections across fields
Link science with philosophy, history with psychology, art with mathematics. Intelligence grows in intersections.
Learn something with your hands
Craft, cook, grow plants, build something. Physical intelligence grounds abstract thinking.
Protect your sense of wonder
Curiosity is intelligence in its earliest form. Once lost, survival becomes mechanical.
8. Train your ability to unlearn
Let go of ideas that no longer serve you. Intelligence isn’t accumulation; it’s refinement.
Thanks for reading THE SILK GAZETTE
MANSI RANGA
No posts
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.