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You may know a person that is really intelligent: they have college degrees, they have written papers, they understand concepts that most people believe are out of their reach, yet they still do some things that make them look kind of stupid.

They may be more quiet or ask a lot of questions with seemingly obvious answers. However, according to people on Twitter, these qualities actually mean a person is intelligent.

Image credits: Mike Mozart

Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

Image credits: MorningBrew

Media company Morning Brew asked Twitter users to name signs that a person is intelligent but that people often confuse with stupidity. Take a look at them and upvote the ones you agree with the most. If you have anything to add, leave it in the comments!

More info: Twitter

#1

Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

AL_AZwildcats Report

Vicky Z
Community Member
4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Waiting for antivaxxers to reach this level of intelligence

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Bored Panda has written a fun article in which intelligent people with several degrees confessed what stupid things they have done that caused them embarrassment. If you would like to read it, you can click here after you’re done reading through this thread.

This time, people on Twitter were discussing the things that mean a person is actually intelligent but that others would think is a sign of stupidity. A lot of them were repeating that a silent person, a person that asks a lot of questions and a person who isn’t afraid to admit that they don’t know something may indicate that they are thoughtful, thinking things through carefully and not pretending to know it all.

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    #2

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    david_perell Report

    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It is better for your ego to invent an answer.

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    #4

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    lukecannon727 Report

    Vicky Z
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is mostly a sign of not being an arrogant stubborn douche bag

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    There are more qualities that an intelligent person possesses. Among the above mentioned traits, various psychology research papers say that people who have higher IQ read a lot, are open-minded and are not afraid to change their point of view. They also enjoy their own company and they usually have a great sense of humor. 

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    Higher intelligence was also tied with being taller, having a smaller waist and having learnt a musical instrument. Psychologists say that older siblings tend to be smarter than the younger ones. And various experiments reveal that left-handed people have a more creative way of thinking.

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    #5

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    ForgetNr Report

    Jo Johannsen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Epitome and hyperbole are two I still occasionally pronounce wrong simply out of habit.

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    #6

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    Jgarnas00 Report

    DarkAngelNic
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have the same problem - I call it brain-mouth dyslexia. My brain knows exactly what it wants to explain or say but my mouth just can't make it happen.

    Burs
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have that too. I tend to speak very fast and read very fast as well. I can’t really read out loud because I just start stuttering and making mistakes. My classmates and one teacher loved making fun of me for that.

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    Shay
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Many people with ADHD have this issue. It's definitely a struggle of mine. When I have a question for my boss at work, or I'm trying to explain something, it comes out more complicated than it should, or messy. It's embarrassing. Part of it is that my thoughts aren't always linear, but most of the issue is for sure that I think faster than I speak.

    Pheebs
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I end up Yoda speaking half the time. Get the end part out, then have to go back and fill in the beginning.

    Auntriarch
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me too. People start to wonder if English is my first language...

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    Cher Mc
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've learned to tap a little rhythm with a foot, or finger to help me slow when I'm jumbled. Like a metronome

    Niall Mac Iomera
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Everyone thinks faster than they can speak. Intelligence is being able to regulate those thoughts and form speech in time with them.

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    3 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't think it is intelligence that regulate this

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    Devil's Advocate
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also, figuring out how to explain something that makes total sense in your head

    Judy Steelman
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have that problem. A kind of learning disability. Very frustrating

    Cheryl Forbes
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It happens with my writing and typing too.

    Robert T
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me too. Missed letters and even missed words.

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    PlatinumTheCat
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes I think faster than I speak, sometimes it’s the other way around

    Isabel Care
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same with writing. Starting the next word before finishing the last one

    Anto Gamunev
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This happens a lot to ppl who r bilingual. Piensas en español while u r talking in english.

    J. F.
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Relatable, in my mind I'm two steps ahead of what I say and that makes me stumble over words

    Hedgielover98
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Guilty. My boss teases me that sometimes they have to put my words together to form normal sentences

    Lily Mae Kitty
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have this bad and getting a bt worse now that I am older. back in school, my hand couldn't keep up with my brain and now my mouth can't.

    Shon
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

    Kainaath Khan
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Happens to me all the time.. including tying on phone or keyboard. Darn! my fingers won't work as fast as my brain.

    Valisbourne Spiritforge
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wait until you get older and just lose a word. You know what you wanted to say, but a word is just missing and you can't find it.

    Kainaath Khan
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Generally the word is at the tip of your tongue but won't roll off, making you fumble or look stupid.

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    Patti Vance
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    this is a big problem with me. when it comes to the written word, i am very articulate and succinct. but, when i have to speak i can't keep up with my thoughts so i come across as unsure or speaking without knowledge.

    M Flo W
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That is not necessarily a sign of intelligence though. If you think faster than you speak that doesn't mean you think fast. You could for example speak really slow and think just a bit less slow.

    I I
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I do this a lot , miss out whole words

    Oerff On Tour
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I tend to pause after 3/4 of about every sentence. I have to back up my thoughts, because my mouth couldn't keep up with what I wanted to say. Sometimes it's worse, and I loose track of where I was, and the things I say don't make sense at all anymore

    a_smol_berry
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I’ve done something extraordinary similar, it’s where you have an answer and you think about it and when you have the chance you say it and it comes out starting and the middle of the sentence.

    Sandra Libertad
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's me!!! and often I am misunderstood for that reason :(

    Witchling
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Uggggh this is so true. I often think fast then I talk and wind up saying really stupid or confusing things. The words I accidentally conjugate....

    Shon
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Uh, no. That is a sign of stupidity, actually. Real intelligence is realizing you're speaking too fast and managing to slow down so others can follow.

    John Otruba
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yep that is me. I often tell people if you give me time to write it down you wil understand what I mean!

    Mohammad Ammar
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    Not really a sign of anything.

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    #7

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    neto96 Report

    It’s nice to read such articles and find that you can relate to the things that are said, because it is hard to value your own intelligence. There is a theory called the Dunning–Kruger effect, which suggests that smart people tend to underestimate their capabilities and people who are less smart tend to think that they are more clever than they are. So if you have some pointers, you can have a clearer understanding of what you may need to work on.

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    #8

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    marshal Report

    Daniel Mattock
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always feel the need to start my question with ‘this may be a stupid question’ or ‘just to clarify’

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    #9

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    ROIChristie Report

    Vicky Z
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I agree but not having an opinion at all about anything is not good either

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    #10

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    whoknewnotme1 Report

    Vicky Z
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Also it's not a sign of shyness either

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    #11

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    Kalowaishi Report

    Jo Johannsen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have always had conversations with myself, aloud and in my head. Usually when I am trying to decide between two courses of action.

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    Of course, a person can be intelligent and not have these qualities, either mentioned in this list or in other research papers as they only show some tendencies that come up in test groups. Nonetheless, these kinds of generalizations are always good fun if you don't take them too seriously. 

    So what do you think of them? Do you find that some of these are not true at all? We are always interested to hear your opinions!

    #12

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    juanpelaro Report

    Jo Johannsen
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have admitted that more than a few times.

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    #13

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    SpartanEquity Report

    Nikki Sevven
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My daughter and I do this all the time. I'll have an idea, and she'll improve on it, whereupon I'll accept that her idea is better. However, we both consider these situations to be collaborative efforts. Neither of us is necessarily wrong; instead, we came to the conclusion together.

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    #14

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    22rocks22 Report

    iblowsheep
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If being quiet makes you smart, then I'm a f****n' genius

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    #15

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    twigsays Report

    BastWren
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just a note...the full expression is, "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back".

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    #16

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    thisisbrians Report

    Zophra
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are times I value the friendship more than being "right."

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    #17

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    LukeBuxton_ Report

    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Some people would rather stay in ignorance than admit they don't already know everything.

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    #18

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    Joshua_Kersey Report

    Bob Belcher
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As a compliance officer this right here is everyday. People expect me to know everything about all regulations in my industry. You know how many different regulatory agencies a single company has to abide by, how many volumes of regulations each one has, and how often they change or get updated? Google, Google is 80% of my job.

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    #19

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    kunning_druger Report

    Mohammad Ammar
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't have a strong opinion on anything and it can come across as if I'm hiding my true opinion or that I'm naive or clueless. The truth is, there's soooo much we don't know so it's pointless trying to forge solid conclusions. I'm also skeptical of all forms of news and rely on personal observations more than news reports and second hand stories, because the amount of propaganda out there is frightfully high.

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    #20

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    Doorknob1974 Report

    Theoretical Empiricist
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    To the person who downvoted: do you really want a particle physicist swapping out your breaker box?

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    #21

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    Vksouth Report

    Zophra
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No one ever wants to ask- " and what could possibly go wrong here?"

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    #23

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    marketeuphoria Report

    iblowsheep
    Community Member
    4 years ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    most issues do not have a black and white, right or wrong "side" some however do for instance, killing someone can have some grey area, sexual assault no.

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    #25

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    Indiscretion Report

    BastWren
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I must be missing something. How is this a perceived sign of stupidity?

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    #26

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    WesKCrochet Report

    Bacony Cakes
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can have the Spirit Of Dadliness without being a dad.

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    #27

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    suryaprakaz Report

    El muerto
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    the ability to laugh at the most terrible situations is also a very good way to surpass difficulties...most terrible situations are often very ridiculous, life is a parody of itself.

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    #28

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    EricWainaina Report

    RMA
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ‘The arts’ can include law, social work, languages, etc. They are the flip side to ‘the sciences’. It is not just mean ‘art’, such as fine art, graphic design, ballet, etc.

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    #29

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    Dmurr68 Report

    Otter
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Again, not necessarily a sign of intelligence. That may indicate that you're dealing with a bright person who changes their opinions when they receive game-changing information, or you may be dealing with one of those idiots that always believes what the last person told them.

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    #30

    Sign-Of-Intelligence-Confused-With-Stupidity

    galligun Report

    iblowsheep
    Community Member
    4 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    "In your own words. Do you have your own words? Personally, I'm using the ones that everyone else has been using. Next time they tell you to say something in your own words, say, "Nigflot blorny quando floon." George Carlin

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