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Are You Above Average Intelligence?
- Thread starter HeySeuss
- Start date
Just a reminder than above average intelligence is, as measured by IQ, > 100. IQ is normalized to the population with a mean of 100, so 50% will be below, 50% above.
Obviously this is not a perfect test of intelligence, but in case anyone didn't know what the numbers indicated.
Obviously this is not a perfect test of intelligence, but in case anyone didn't know what the numbers indicated.
I'm torn. I was pretty dumb in physics relative to some pretty smart people, but then I look around at others in everyday life and wonder if I'm dumb then what does that make everyone else? It probably doesn't help being in Oklahoma either. There's also the issue of judging intelligence. Knowledge isn't intelligence but your rate of attaining it is, right? How do IQ tests even gauge that?
Most of the overly intelligent people I've spent time with are not pleasant to be around - whether it be arrogance, a self-absorbed attitude, immaturity, lack of empathy, inability to handle being wrong (since they often aren't)
To the people in this topic who admitted to being dumb though, let's hang out
To the people in this topic who admitted to being dumb though, let's hang out
I mean, I think so.
Even though there are some super mega geniuses out there, I feel like there are too many people that are on the opposite end of the spectrum, either from dropping out of school, having learning disabilities, or just ignorance to knowledge.
Based on what I've seen on the news/random things on social media and the internet, the smart people seem to be VASTLY outnumbered :(
Even though there are some super mega geniuses out there, I feel like there are too many people that are on the opposite end of the spectrum, either from dropping out of school, having learning disabilities, or just ignorance to knowledge.
Based on what I've seen on the news/random things on social media and the internet, the smart people seem to be VASTLY outnumbered :(
I use to think i was above average.Wasnt until i took physics which made me realise i wasnt that smart. Really made me reevaluate myself.I honestly think it lead to me getting better grades at school because now I knew i wasnt those guys who could not study and get an A in the class.I actually needed to study and manage my time .So overall it was a positive realization.
I know climate change is real and evolution is too. So I already have a leg up on 50% of the population 😅😂
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I really hate simplifying smarts into a single all encompassing thing you can compare as a whole as if it's an innate unchangeable fact.
Human brains are special because they are very good at learning. Considering how dumb our babies are, we're kinda especially dumb in our innate state before learning happens. So how can you put a number on any subject knowing that the number can change through effort? How can you come up with a list of tests which are somehow representative of everything?
Human brains are special because they are very good at learning. Considering how dumb our babies are, we're kinda especially dumb in our innate state before learning happens. So how can you put a number on any subject knowing that the number can change through effort? How can you come up with a list of tests which are somehow representative of everything?
I guess. I took a legit IQ test I middle school because I was failing and they wanted to put me in special ed classes. I was failing because I found the work boring and absolutely refused to do homework as I felt it unnecessary after spending my day in school. Turns out I had a 142 IQ ( I know this doesn't mean shit but they sure acted like it did) and they found out I just wasn't being challenged. After that I was put in classes that were harder but I still refused to do homework. Then in high school I got my shit together and graduated at 16. Got accepted to Caltech and got a full ride because my mom was poor as shit. That said I don't consider myself smart. When I'm among my educated peers I always feel like the dumbest person in the room even though most people say I'm actually one of the smartest. Idk. I'm definitely smarter than the average American though :)
Based on tests, education and other attributes I would say yes. But I'm not a genius and I'm glad about it. There are times where I feel very intelligent around some people and times where I feel very dumb around other ones.
Okay, this is going to sound like bragging, but you asked.
I was the topper in my school (and eventually the highest scorer in my state in a standardized exam), and a topper in my college. When I took an IQ test that measured IQ between 0 and 160, I was told that I needed an advanced test to find my true IQ as the test gave perfect results.
I used to be super arrogant about all of this but have since realized that life isn't about intellectual masturbation. A person's worth isn't defined by their intelligence. Being kind and loving is more important than being a pompous prick.
For anyone who's curious to know how it feels, I can talk about it.
There's the raw intelligence that usually makes connections in my head about people, events and ideas via intuition. I'm good at coming up with unusual solutions to problems.
I've tried to shape much of the raw intelligence into tools for daily use. For example, I'm good with conversations. I have high empathy, and can imagine the dozens of directions a conversation could go as I'm having it. When I was younger I had the penchant to use this predictive ability as a game (Let's see if I can get him to say this by saying this) but have since realized that's messed up. Now I use it to try and avoid subjects that will hurt people. If I know that an innocent subject will eventually lead to an unpleasant one, I'll pivot from that. I also use the ability to present my ideas in the most effective language possible (depending on the person I'm talking to.)
Beyond that, I learn new skills very quickly. In school and college I was good at all the subjects offered without much effort. Effort and motivation have in particular been an issue. If I see a task as easy I really don't feel like doing it. But a challenging task draws my complete attention.
There's more, but every time I talk about this people think I'm an arrogant ass, so I'll stop.
I was the topper in my school (and eventually the highest scorer in my state in a standardized exam), and a topper in my college. When I took an IQ test that measured IQ between 0 and 160, I was told that I needed an advanced test to find my true IQ as the test gave perfect results.
I used to be super arrogant about all of this but have since realized that life isn't about intellectual masturbation. A person's worth isn't defined by their intelligence. Being kind and loving is more important than being a pompous prick.
For anyone who's curious to know how it feels, I can talk about it.
There's the raw intelligence that usually makes connections in my head about people, events and ideas via intuition. I'm good at coming up with unusual solutions to problems.
I've tried to shape much of the raw intelligence into tools for daily use. For example, I'm good with conversations. I have high empathy, and can imagine the dozens of directions a conversation could go as I'm having it. When I was younger I had the penchant to use this predictive ability as a game (Let's see if I can get him to say this by saying this) but have since realized that's messed up. Now I use it to try and avoid subjects that will hurt people. If I know that an innocent subject will eventually lead to an unpleasant one, I'll pivot from that. I also use the ability to present my ideas in the most effective language possible (depending on the person I'm talking to.)
Beyond that, I learn new skills very quickly. In school and college I was good at all the subjects offered without much effort. Effort and motivation have in particular been an issue. If I see a task as easy I really don't feel like doing it. But a challenging task draws my complete attention.
There's more, but every time I talk about this people think I'm an arrogant ass, so I'll stop.
In general I'd say yes, but thats in part because i know my failings. Of which there are many. So who's to say really.
Edit: One thing i can say is never be afraid to ask. It's ok to be the person to ask the obvious/dumb questions. If you don't understand something, or just want to know something, ask the question. Say "i dont understand", or "can you dumb that down for me" etc.
It's ok to ask. It's good to ask.
Edit: One thing i can say is never be afraid to ask. It's ok to be the person to ask the obvious/dumb questions. If you don't understand something, or just want to know something, ask the question. Say "i dont understand", or "can you dumb that down for me" etc.
It's ok to ask. It's good to ask.
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idunno. everyone in my family is a doctor. I'd like to think I have at least some of those same genes.
that said, smart people do dumb shit all the time and often times people fail to understand that they know less than they think they know.
a lot of smart people know just enough about something to be dangerous.
that said, smart people do dumb shit all the time and often times people fail to understand that they know less than they think they know.
a lot of smart people know just enough about something to be dangerous.
Got a PhD in hard science and was top of my class in a science subject in a top 100 world university. So objectively the answer would be yes.
Doesn't stop imposter syndrome or make a person happy though.
Doesn't stop imposter syndrome or make a person happy though.
Nah, I might think a bit more critically than most but I am definitely not the first to catch on to things.
I like to think so. I quite often find myself subconsciously commenting to myself how stupid other people are, especially when spending so much time on the internet.