Meta

Meta-analysis; I like this word. I learnt it in literature class during high school but back then it was just another unique word to flaunt in an essay.

The prefix ‘meta-‘ comes from the Greek word meta, or across. Therefore, meta-analysis refers to analyzing across the context within one level of analysis to come to a conclusion. It implies self-recognition of the process itself; in entertainment it is commonly referred to as ‘breaking the fourth wall’. For example: “It takes time for people to get close to me because I have trust issues”; “I’m a perfectionist because my parents were hard on me as a child”; the S&P 500 index and a research paper titled ‘Different ethnic groups have different correlations between body fat and BMI’, are all examples of meta-analyses in different fields.

It turns out I have a mind built for this. The more negative aspects of this trait might be described in Chinese as: ‘鑽牛角尖’ – meaning to unnecessarily fixate on details to the point where you miss the bigger picture. However, it should come as no surprise that it is those with OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) tendencies that come up with the most original and penetrating insights when they are able to step-back and ‘connect-the-dots’.

It should be said: the point isn’t to extol ‘intelligence’ (as traditionally tested) or memory (both of which I’m not exemplary of). It is to expose those paradoxical elements of my personality which cause the most suffering but have also served to benefit me the most. It means I am neither prodigious at lateral or vertical thinking, but perhaps proficient enough at each – with an emphasis on lateral – to discern an idea; mull over it and then figure out how it fits into the bigger picture. Perhaps the reason a peer paid me a compliment in admitting that I would be a good teacher is precisely because of this attribute.

Life is fair in some ways; an advantage in one dimension tends to result in disadvantages in other dimensions. As you can imagine, it’s very easy to become side-tracked or stuck-in-the-clouds and forget what is practical; a weakness those more creative and quick-minded among you can certainly sympathize with, I’m sure.

For clarity, Peterson has asserted that there is zero correlation in the literature between intellect and consciousness. It would be deliciously interesting if intellect and industriousness had a negative correlation. That is my immediate gut feeling anyway; otherwise those born with both would be cheating a bit wouldn’t they?