How Do We Get Smarter? (Part 1)

Growing Up in an Age That Won’t

By Andrew Crowley, Rock The Vote Party Leader

Following on from my four part series “How Did We Get So Dumb?” (see previous posts), I now attempt to answer the question “How Do We Get Smarter?” beginning with the obvious: “Grow Up! And put the ways of childhood behind you.”

The ancient words from 1 Corinthians 13 still echo with relevance. (I knew a Christian education would come in handy one day!)

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”

This speaks not just to personal growth, but to a deeper transformation—one that feels increasingly urgent in a world that often celebrates immaturity in disguise.

In childhood, we see the world in absolutes. We speak before thinking, chase what feels good, and expect others to clean up the mess. But adulthood—true adulthood—isn’t just about age. It’s about stepping into responsibility, nuance, and self-awareness.

Today, we live in a culture that blurs those lines. Social media rewards impulsive reactions. Outrage is monetized. Instant gratification is a business model. We’re constantly learning—scrolling, watching, consuming—but rarely pausing long enough to understand. It’s a world where emotional growth is optional, and accountability is often outsourced.

To “put the ways of childhood behind” us now means more than just growing older. It means choosing depth over distraction. It means trading ego for empathy, and performance for purpose. It’s about becoming the kind of person who doesn’t just react—but reflects. Who doesn’t just speak—but listens. Who doesn’t just consume—but contributes.

In an age that often resists growing up, this ancient verse offers a quiet challenge: to mature not just in years, but in wisdom. To live with intention. And to remember that real adulthood isn’t about what we leave behind—it’s about what we choose to carry forward.