[eof]

Not sure if it boosts your intelligence; I am an avid barefoot walker. City streets, the woods; pretty much anything other than screaming-hot blacktop.

It feels good; your feet get accustomed to it pretty quickly. The OP mentioned his eyes were really needed to watch where his feet were going, but if he keeps up this habit this won't be the case near as much.

Small bits of broken glass or things like this will tear through most tender footed westerners, but just a few dozen miles over a few weeks barefoot will toughen up your feet very quickly so that gravel and tiny-sharp things won't bother you at all.

I just feel 'better' with barefeet. After the winter, and I can take my shoes off and rub them in the grass, after so little stimulation; it's nearly orgasmic.

Increased awareness with barefeet? Likely. Intelligence.. mm not so much.

[pavel_lishin]

I live in New York. About a month ago, I watched a barefoot guy try to walk through Hell's Kitchen. I looked away for about a minute, and when I glanced back, his friends were bringing him napkins to cover the huge bleeding gash in his foot.

Sure, he could have watched where he was going and made sure his soles were tough. I'd just rather minimize the chances of stepping on a sharp chunk of metal, or a syringe. I think I'm at my smartest when I'm not worrying about tetanus.