Why are people so into being more intelligent than others?

[johnnie]

Something I have noticed in my years is that people like to prove how much more intelligent they are than others. A lot of people will tell you how high their I.Q. is (most will say 130-140) like it is important.
Some people get a kick out of correcting every thing others say and do as if everyone should be as "smart" as they are and if they aren't, then it has to be pointed out that the corrector is more intelligent than the one being corrected.
I'm not pointing fingers at anyone in particular and no one on this forum. It is just something that I witnessed today and was sitting here thinking about.
Each of us are born with a certain amount of comprehension ability. Is someone with a better grasp of concepts or someone who can learn quicker better than someone who doesn't quite get things as fast?
Are people who had the opportunity to go further in their education better than the ones who had no choice but to get out into the work force as soon as graduating from high school?
For some reason I get a kick out of people trying to show off their intelligence, but I'm sure that some people feel like they are not as entitled to an opinion or feel like their thoughts on a subject are not worth expressing because they don't feel as "smart" as other people.
Why do people feel the need to show off their intelligence? I'm just wondering.


Me thinks it is a problem with an ego, but I don't feel like I should give my opinion..lol.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. Because I'm smarter than you and that's that!!!!

Uhm... oops.... :evilgrin:

[johnnie]

4. Well

I already knew that..lol.

[DrWeird]

2. It's like driving a big SUV.

Or having a big gun collection.

It's an ego/penis thing.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

7. I've never really bought the "penis" thing to be honest.

Maybe I'm just secure in myself and can't relate, but it's really not all that important in the big scheme of things. :shrugs:

[smirkymonkey]

3. You're right - it's ego.

and it's pretty rampant these days.

[kick-ass-bob]

5. My IQ is 792.

Nyah nyah!!

:D

[johnnie]

6. Oh yeah

Mine is 3. So there!

[TlalocW]

8. I would explain it to you

But I doubt you would understand. *Sniff* (Nose in air). :)

TlalocW

[redqueen]

9. Many people are into being more *anything* than others...

be it more intelligent generally, wealthier, better-looking, more concerned about what they consider their pet issue, etc. etc. etc.

I think it's all pissing contests.

[johnnie]

12. That's what I call it too

Life is a pissing contest for a lot of people.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. Your post sounds almost resentful of intelligence. I find that troubling.

Sure there are people who misuse their intellectual capacity, but I disagree with your statement that people are born with a finite capacity to process information. Hell, Albert Einstein's high school teacher told his father to teach young Al a trade since he'd never amount to anything.

I think that pop culture has almost made intellect the enemy and I find that to be a concern. I also notice that more men than women rail against intellectualism.

I am not saying that people are not arrogant regarding their intellect in fact, I know I am but it is more out of the fact that I am beginning to LOSE PATIENCE with people who refuse to think than out of the fact that I think *I* deserve a medal.

[Zenlitened]

15. I think you're on target there.

I have no problem with people of varying intellegence, so long as they're TRYING to make use of the brains they've got.

It's the deliberately ignorant people I find so frustrating, particularly when they turn around and try to make intelligence something worthy of scorn. They become a kind of bully, in that regard. It's fun to go into "braniac" mode on those people, just to make the bullies squirm and whine. :)

[johnnie]

17. I disagree

I believe each person is born with a certain limitation on what their brain will allow them to do. Take musical talent for example, there are children out there that can play a piece of music on the piano better than some adults that have been playing for decades. Why is that?
I'm not resentful of intelligence, I'm resentful of people who actually believe they are more important than someone who doesn't quite understand everything that the so-called intelligent people do. To me, that is unintelligent.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

24. Fine if you believe it but that belief does not make it so

And THAT is where intellect comes in. A person who is indifferent to ignorance (and I am NOT saying that you are) believes what they believe regardless of the facts that may refute it...it's like creationism. People want to believe that humanity originated where the bible says it did but just yesterday the oldest human was discovered on a different continent.

Children learning and mastering an instrument has nothing to do with innate qualities. It has as much to do with neural development and muscle memory as intellect..although I recall a viloinist with one of the philharmonic orchestras back east having not even learned the violin until he was 55...so again that argues against your belief.

Given your presuppositions on who is capable or absorbing what, I question whether THEY think they are more important or whether YOU THINK THEY think that.

[johnnie]

30. I don't think :)

"I question whether THEY think they are more important or whether YOU THINK THEY think that."
What would be the purpose of telling someone what your I.Q. is? I have heard people say it before and I have read it here before. Other than "look at me" I can see no reason for advertising it.

And once again I disagree with you on whether or not someone mastering an instrument has anything to do with innate qualities. But I guess we will never agree on that because it becomes semantics. I believe people have different abilities and to different degrees. As for the age of the 55 year old violinist, he might not have wanted to learn it until he was older. It doesn't mean he was incapable as a child.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. OK again this all goes back to what you believe regardless of what

you can prove and sorry my friend...that GOES to the heart of intelligence.

As far as anyone telling anyone else what their IQ is...I don't see the big deal..IQ is simply a measurement much like weight or height although IQ tests have their limits.
Again, that you would jockey for these things being innate is more likely a function of a resentment of the talent and a need for an explanation of why some people "can't."

But for organic reasons for brain function being less, i.e. brain damage..I don't think facts support what you believe. If they did, the offspring of the talented would likely be just as talented as their parents but often they are not.

Some people will argue that athletic talent is more innate in some races..the only problem with that argument is science is now questioning the concept of race.

[johnnie]

44. Resenting?

I don't get why you keep saying I am resenting intelligent. You have no idea who I am or what my thoughts are. I don't resent people who are intelligent, I resent people who try to belittle people.
I resent people who put others down because they aren't like they are. Just to make a point here, I am not college educated at all, but I am the only electrical engineer in my company without that degree. I didn't get here by resenting people who are intelligent. I am also a multi-instrumentalist and all self taught. I didn't learn how to play those instruments by resenting anyone. I compose my own songs (lyrics and music), I also have produced and engineered on many recording sessions that have done well locally. I also build and repair computers, repair electronic equipment, own a recording studio where I do audio and video and have a few other things that I have taught myself to do.
Even writing that made me uneasy, but I just want you to know that I am not resentful over what other people have or their abilities. I have never found anything that I wanted to do beyond my reach. I don't go around telling people everything I know how to do. Nor do I put people down for not knowing how to do the things I know how to do.
My point is that when I see people being obviously obnoxious because of their intelligence and trying to belittle others, it pisses me off.
That's all.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

45. Read this post as though you didn't write it..RESENTFUL

The experience didn't so much teach you something as you made a decision about others out of that experience.

BTW...you put the intellect down in that post the same way you claim intellects put those that are less intellectual down.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x2652263#2652434

[johnnie]

46. Oh no..

What it taught me back then was that some people can be talented at one thing, but on other things they have no idea. If you read the one that I was responding to (TrogL's) he posted that there are many different types of intelligence.
I admit that I am not the best at communicating what I want to say on line.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

48. OK...I'll chalk it up to a mistake..but still

your OP didn't really distinguish intelligence. I still take umbrage at your insistence that knowledge is innate. It's the nature versus nurture argument and I believe there are geniuses trapped in environments where their genius is suppressed.

Again, I feel that there is an outright war going on in America against intellectualism and if you read the 14 characteristics of Fascism, you'd see why I feel that railing against intellectualism is dangerous.

Yes, there are people who are assholes about lots of things..but your OP seemed to target intellect more than it targetted poor behavior.

If I had to choose...I'd consider deliberate stupidity to be far more criminal than intellectual arrogance although neither are fun to be around at a party.

[johnnie]

52. I think knowledge and intelligence are two different things

Maybe my original post didn't come out right, I don't know. I agree with what you say here:

It's the nature versus nurture argument and I believe there are geniuses trapped in environments where their genius is suppressed.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

65. Then you and I are essentially in agreement

Where I was put off was in your op (paraphrasing) where you stated people were born with a particular capacity for information.

Anyway...this was fun :D

[IntravenousDemilo]

43. You put it well

Intelligent people should not fault others for not quite understanding certain concepts, and every attempt should be made to explain things. But when people have decided they'll refuse to understand those concepts, well, that particular type of stupidity has to be squelched.

[smirkymonkey]

70. I don't think he's resentful of intelligence, but of intellectual

arrogance. There is a difference.

Most of us here can appreciate and value the intelligent discussion found in this forum, however, it's the pedantic types that get a bit tiresome.

For instance, some people are extremely bright but can't spell or write to save thier lives. To have someone call them out on it (usually with the intention of proving their own "superiority") is just obnoxious. We all have our areas of expertise and contribute in different ways to the board, but nobody should belittle those who make an innocent, but misinformed comment.

I notice mistakes too (and often make them, as I don't take posting on a discussion board as seriously as I would an academic paper or business communication) but I don't point out people's mistakes unless I am having a problem understanding what they are trying to say (or unless I am pretty sure they are a freeper, in which case I can't help myself :evilgrin:)

[trof]

11. I just can't help it.

I've tried to dumb down, but I'm unable to.
;-)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

13. thank the cajun swamp queen for that!

[trof]

16. You wouldn't believe what she's doing right now.

In fact, it might make a good thread.
Give me a few minutes.

[TrogL]

14. There's more than one kind of intelligence

I've got an "official" IQ around 130 (not bragging, just data) but put me into a social situation and I'm utterly clueless. As a musician, I'm close to savant. My handwriting is illegible even to me.

People who "show off" are often uncomfortable with some part of themselves. For example, if I go to a party, I will go to the piano and play, partly showing off, partly to avoid having to deal with people, partly to generate a topic for discussion afterwards.

Then again, some people are just plain jerks. I've heard Mensa meetings can dissolve into fisticuffs.

[DelawareValleyDem]

18. I've heard that MENSA meetings are incredibly boring

some maybe the fights add some excitement.

[HughBeaumont]

23. I heard that they're pretty B.O. smelling.

[johnnie]

21. Funny story (to me)

When I was around 15 or so I was walking past a friend's house and his father was outside squatting down next to his tire of his car. This man is a mathematical genius and V.P. of his company. A very "intelligent" man and at my age I looked at him that way.
Anyway, I was walking by and asked him what he was doing. he told me he just changed the tire on his car, but could not get the hubcap back on. I watched for about a minute while he struggled with the hubcap and then I had to tell him that he had to put the air nipple through the hole in the cap before the cap could be put back on. That taught me something.

[libertypirate]

19. They are self deluded...

Do you know as a person’s intelligence increase so does the percentage of insanity?

Half of the smartest people in the world are in a loony bin.

It is a life of not being understood and having a hard time relating to the world around you. These people think they get it when they get nothing.

If you meet someone who is really a genius...

They hate it!
They don't like organizations such as MENSA! Puke!
You provably have a hard time understanding them.

They would never use intelligence as a measuring stick.

And any really smart person knows this there is always someone smarter.

[Cadence]

27. Exactly. I would also add

that truly intelligent people are often the perpetual students. Comfortable with what they know, but always in a place of learning from anyone and anything.

Often the people that are the most intelligent aren't the ones running around yelling their opinions for the world to hear. They're the ones quietly observing and only offer up a viewpoint when asked.

[libertypirate]

38. Yes, exactly

"always in a place of learning from anyone and anything"

BTW one last thing they see the value in being wrong!

[TrogL]

36. I suppose so

I'm fairly bright. I'm also barking mad.

[sans qualia]

73. I don't think that's true...

At the risk of looking like one of those aforementioned annoying people who corrects other people all the time, didn't Terman's study of gifted children show that contrary to pretty much everyone's expectations, more intelligent people actually have fewer emotional and psychological problems than the general population? Granted, it was done ages ago, and Terman was a eugenicist, but that doesn't invalidate the results.

Although you are right when it comes to profoundly gifted individuals (defined as IQ 180+, I think). I'm pretty sure a later study found that they tend to have lots of issues.

[realisticphish]

20. IQ is bullshit

read up on it a little, or ask ANY psychologist, and they will tell you that the stanford-binet test, or any OTHER test just doesn't measure true intelligence. it measures the testees ability to take THAT test. i used to be one of those assholes that went around trying to prove myself smarter than everyone, but ive thankfully gotten past that now


:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[johnnie]

26. There you go

Great reply. The I.Q. tests are not worth a shit. I know people who tell me their "I.Q." and wait for a response from me like I should be amazed. Unfortunately for them, I don't give a crap because knowing them the way I do, they don't impress me.
I guess the people who like to impress must bum out when there is no one to impress.

[CitySky]

62. well let's drink to that, realisticphish!

:toast:

Only I never told anyone mine. My mother waited until I was 17 to tell me what IQ I had tested at as a child (haven't taken a test since), and she coupled that data with the advice to not tell anyone, especially men, as they would be intimidated. They couldn't handle it, in her opinion. Since her IQ is even higher than mine- genius mommy, top o' the charts, I took her word for it and kept mum, even when i thought it meant something.

Of course Mom doesn't remember that conversation!

I finally realized more than 10 years ago (see post below) that all of it is meaningless.

[realisticphish]

63. of course

:toast: my parents refused to tell me what mine was till i had graduated high school. and i realized, i didnt really want to know

:hippie: The Incorrigible Democrat

[HughBeaumont]

22. I got taught early that bragging is bad.

3rd grade to be exact, in the form of a huge note to my parents that got me grounded for a month.

It was good and bad in a way. Good because it taught me to keep it to myself later on in life and be humble; but bad because I developed a deep hatred for formal schooling because of this and other incidents involving idiot teachers who favored the socially outgoing over the creative.

But yes, that trend among the uber-intellligent is quite annoyoing, especially among message board ghosts with chips on their shoulders.

[RevolutionaryActs]

25. I only correct people when they are horribly wrong... like if they say..

something like.. oh I don't know... "Bush is a good man"

Then I kindly point out how wrong they are, and move on. ;)

[JAbuchan08]

28. Yeah I really dislike intellectual braggerts myself

they are so convinced of their own superiority that they forget what Socrates said "I know that I know nothing." some mistake knowledge for intelligence, and some of them think that being able to understand an argument and parrot it back with a little bit of (mostly obvious) analysis qualifies them as some sort of genius when all they are really doing is hoarding information and giving their stamp of approval to old ideas. To make things worse this is the kind of "learning" that is taught in America: absorb, elaborate, regurgitate. In my humble opinion critical thinking is the most diminished skill in our nation.
In other words, I am like, so much smarter than anyone. And much more humble too. (I had to go for the obvious joke)

[jdots]

29. jeesus I'm wicked pissa smaght

I graduated from high school when I was sperm.
The smartest person I have ever met was a waitress at a Dennys in Alabama,she had common sence and thats not too common .

[johnnie]

31. Lol

A sperm..now that's funny.

[Zenlitened]

42. You spelled "sense" incorrectly.

And "Denny's" is spelled with an apostrophe, indicating the possessive.

:evilgrin:

[MsAnthropy]

32. To make you feel left out

Duh

[DU GrovelBot]

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[TrogL]

37. What's Grovelbot's IQ?

[Festivito]

34. Some people show off their money.

Is that any better?

Smile, nod, and share something you like about yourself. If they take the bait, sounds good. If they don't, they enjoy themselves, let them be.

[johnnie]

35. Money is one thing

It's the ones who try to belittle others who aren't as smart as they think they are that bothers me.

[CitySky]

59. money's a good parallel example though

just not the one that gets your goat.

being ridiculously good-looking is another. good-looking people who only value other good-looking people. (see my post below for my complete thoughts.)

[Festivito]

74. Like all bullies, belittlers are insecure.

Whether with intellect, birthright, money, charm, or looks, insecure persons will either be brave or not. When not they bully.

My question is: will you see beyond the attack and help the insecurity, cowardice, or both? Or, will you just lie there and wallow in your own self-pity for having been egregiously attacked.

The real question is: Will you be brave, and are you strong enough to handle a few errors in this world?

I bet you are.

[johnnie]

78. I have no problems with bullies

I tend to believe that it is an ego problem. Either lack of or too much.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

40. "stupidity is the same as evil if you judge by the results" M. Atwood

Consider it.

[MsAnthropy]

41. Good one

[Floogeldy]

47. If you're too stupid to figure it out for yourself,

I'm not gonna tell you!

}(

[welshTerrier2]

49. "Each of us are born"

actually, it should be "each of us IS born" ...

i'm sure you knew that and you were just testing us ...

[johnnie]

53. Umm yeah

A test..that's what it was. You passed.

[welshTerrier2]

56. almost had me their

your turn ...

[johnnie]

57. Their is nothing wrong with your post

Is there?

[welshTerrier2]

60. your obviously more intelligent

i give up !!

[Nikia]

50. I don't mean to be. Sometimes this just happens.

Work is one place that I have this problem. I get into a conversation with and then end up talking over people's heads. I don't mean to do this. It just happens. I went to college for 4 years with mostly people who graduated in the top 10% of their class and valued intellectualism. Most of the production workers at our plant barely graduated from high school if even which does not make them inherently not intelligent, but most of them were at a different level. My best friend, a high school drop out, is also highly intelligent and scored higher than anyone else did on an IQ test for a job at a large company that he applied to. We had private conversations, which people would overhear and seem puzzled at. Since he had been used to hanging out with non intellectuals though, he was better at being able to adjust his level of conversation easier than I was. I am trying to get a better feel for this and am getting better. I am really not trying to make anyone feel bad though.

[johnnie]

54. Being who you are is one thing

There are people who flaunt it to be noticed. that is the people I am talking about. I wouldn't worry about what you say and how you say it, that is just who you are.

[Chalco]

51. I can't help it if I'm smart.

I can usually see to the heart of the matter before anyone else in a group and then when I give my thoughts/advice/opinion it takes awhile for people to get it. Eventually they do.

Do I look down on them or do they look up to me? Possibly neither.

I talk better and work with my hands better than most. I can do 5 things at once. I also know some who are smarter than me and I rely on them when necessary.

I think it helps to know where you stand.

[johnnie]

55. I think it helps to know where you stand.

That's a good point. Maybe the ones who feel the need to flaunt it don't know where they stand and need approval to feel better. I don't know.

[CitySky]

58. my own arrogance/insecurity

I'm a verbally intelligent kind of person. That's been my strong suit in life.

I used to not respect people who weren't smart in the way that I am. I remember thinking, for example, "I definitely need to marry a man who is smarter than I am, because otherwise I will have no respect for him." I suspect that this is the type of attitude johnnie was grappling with.

Well now I think that's garbage. Where did it come from in me? Who knows? Arrogance, insecurity, myopia? It's like a tall person deciding, "short people are not tall, therefore they must have no value" or a musical person saying, "I have no respect for anyone tone deaf." Verbal intelligence is just one thing.

What changed me was actually my spiritual walk. I met some people who clearly weren't as "smart" as I am in the way that I am smart, but who just as clearly *knew* things I didn't, based on how they lived their lives. I had to learn from them in order to grow spiritually -- even if the "lessons" were delivered with incorrect grammar. That humbled me some.

Now it applies in lots of areas. I am not naturally athletic, but do sports. Naturally I need to learn from those who are better at it than I am, whether they are "smart" or not. And so on.

"Book smart" or whatever you want to call it is just one thing. Not the be-all and the end-all. Not what makes me a good person, even. I am glad to have shed that particular prejudice. I now enjoy a life many wonderful friends, with different backgrounds and talents, different races and income levels. If we have the attitude that we ALL have something to bring to the table, it works better that way. :)

That's just my 2 cents.

And, in the sake of full disclosure, somehow it has worked out that there is a very wonderful and very smart (science-type smart!) man in my life right now. Things work out the way they're meant to.

[Bouncy Ball]

61. Well, speaking as someone with a 5,334 IQ

LOL

Yes, I think it is an issue of insecurity. For the record, I have known a LOT of very intelligent people who aren't into telling people their IQ or lording it over anyone.

After all, if you REALLY are a smart person, you don't have to TELL anyone you are smart. They'll know.

Duh! LOL!

[cags]

64. I put my IQ on my resume

Just Kidding. I do have my GPA on it though

Everyone is good at something and we tend to let others know what we are good at. Whether it be our ability to learn and retain information (which is what IQ really is), or musical, artistic or athletic talent, or even being able to turn your eyelids inside out. People talk about the good things about themselves, its natural.

When it gets to the point of bragging then you know thats all it really is.

I believe we all are born with specific abilities too. A forum like this makes it easier for the people with intellectual abilities to express them more than someone with other abilities so it would only be natural to see more of that here than in real life.

[jmm]

66. I work with some educated morons

Once a guy I work with who is in grad asked me if it mattered which way a diaper went on a baby. I said yes, that the fastener parts were suppose to attach to the front. His reply? No, does the plastic or cotton side touch the skin? I don't care what your IQ is or how little experience you've had with children, if you think the plastic part of a disposable diaper touches a baby's skin while the cotton side remains on the outside you're a damn fool yet many people want to act like IQ is the gold standard when it comes to measuring intelligence.

I get annoyed by anybody with a superiority complex. Everybody has their own unique set of strengths and weaknesses. People who lord their strengths over others are just over compensating for their weaknesses.

[Deep N RedLand]

68. Maybe they just don't want people to mistake them for Republicans.

I must admit I sometimes act a little know-it-allish when I debate with Neocon co-workers. It just gives me satisfaction watching them struggle with their reptilian brains to come up with a plausible and convincing counter to my progressive logic.

BTW: A lot of highly educated people still seem clueless, because IQ and common sense are two different things and having one does not automatically mean having the other.

[Swede]

67. MBTI and other personality theories say there is

a personality that loves information. They also have a genuine joy of sharing their knowledge.

[Hatalles]

69. "Dr. A.J. Deadman once said..." / "Who's A.J. Deadman?"

"Dr. A.J. Deadman once said..."

"Who's A.J. Deadman?"

"You don't know who Dr. A.J. Deadman is?!"

"No shit. That's why I asked."

That last line always works wonders. Use it. ;)

[Telly Savalas]

71. The reason I like to demonstrate my phenomenal intelligence...

is because it's a nice change of pace from showing off my incredible good looks.

[sendero]

72. I neither have..

... an awestruck respect for huge intelligence or contempt for modest intelligence. I have a lack of respect for anyone who doesn't use their innate intelligence to the fullest extent possible, anyone who does not care to tax their minds.

Having a brain is of no value if you don't do the work of thinking.

[UdoKier]

75. A kid in Japan taught me that "intelligence" isn't shit.

Back when I taught English in Japan, I had a 15-year old student named Taka, who couldn't retain a thing. He was always way behind all the other kids in the class, and just had no ability whatsoever. The school owner told me that that was the case with all his other subjects as well, but he was a part-time employee and she gave him the lessons free because she thought it might be good for him. I continued to teach him for a couple more years, and his English never improved but I enjoyed his pleasant disposition and the potstickers he's make at the school's holiday parties.

By the time he was 17 he had dropped out of school and was also working part time at a shop on his longtime hobby - carpentry. One day, another employee brought in a magazine with a whole profile on Taka and the guy he was apprenticed to, as well as several color photos of the 2-story log house Taka had built almost SINGLEHANDEDLY. And when I say log house, it was not like some cheesy Little House on the Prairie thing, it was like a top-class vacation chalet, with gorgeous polished wood and artistic touches everywhere. Everyone had thought of this kid as something of a nice dullard up until that point, but we all realized he had something amazing inside. Since then, I've come back here to the US, but I never forget him.

Genius comes in all forms. If someone cares enough about things to post comments, more power to them.

I have to admit to picking on spelling because it's a pet peeve thing, but I don't do it to criticize, just inform...

Aside from spelling, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed...

[pintobean]

76. Excellent thread.

Kick.

[Seabiscuit]

77. Discomfort with self-doubt. Insecurity. Inferiority complex. Self-hatred.

in descending order, or in some cases all four at once.