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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.

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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."

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

    There are times I value my time/energy more than being "right"

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

    Sometimes it’s just not worth arguing or wasting your breath

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

    Sometimes there just aren't enough crayons in the world to explain things to the idiot you're arguing with and it's best to walk away.

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

    I have often just abandoned trying to convince people that they are wrong about a course of action that they are determined to pursue. Then just sit back and let them go full speed into their failure.

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

    As a former debate team member, you can't win an argument without verifiable facts and data. Without data, it's difficult to present an argument. You're often left with only opinions going back and forth. And the only way to win an opinion-based argument is through trickery. You also can't use logic on illogical people, reason with the unreasonable, or use facts on someone who doesn't respect facts.

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

    trump fans taught me not to try to explain things to others when they really dont care and just want to be right

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

    Bright people have better things to do with their time.

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

    Well, you have to, with the internet trolls out there who just want to get people angry and deliberately waste their time. I shut them up by saying "I only debate people I take seriously, so bugger off", which puts a quick stop to their nonsense.

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

    i just exit n argument when i get tired of it. when that happens, my friends say that ive just admitted defeat. really, i havent. its just me saying 'this is a dumb argument. why are we doing this?'

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

    Many of us have had to do this in the last few years when we've realized that the person we are talking to has a flawed point of view or understanding and they are not going to back down.

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

    Yep, sometimes winning comes at the price of your own sanity. Especially on the internets. *Turn off notifications* move on.

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

    For me, it's a question of whether there's any chance of changing the other person's mind - or them changing mine. If there isn't even a minute possibility of that happening then continuing the discussion is a waste of everyone's time.

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

    Once you can do this, it’s sets you free.

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

    Is it better to be right, or to be in right relationship? Always ask myself that to put things into perspective when things get heated, especially with loved ones.

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

    Sometimes, I'll exhaust every argument discussing someone, but only so when I go home, I switch my opinion, rather than go home and then come up with a reason to reject the opinion when there's no-one to reply. So I argue to the bitter end because I'm trying to have an open mind.

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

    Sometimes you just have to realise that trying to teach a pig to whistle is pointless. All it does is waste your time and annoy the pig.

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

    sometimes, during an argument, I just sort of see the ridiculousness of it and laugh. This doesn't always go over quite right.

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

    this shows empathy not intelligence

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

    I say "alright! Fine! Okay, you're right!" But still know that I'm right.

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

    But you're not fine, and they aren't right. Try, "ah, I see"

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

    If you’re wrong, admit it. If it’s pointless, abandon it. If the other party resorts to being an asshole, roast them and then abandon it.

    Ryan Deschanel
    Community Member
    4 years ago

    This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

    That's a matter of principle : you don't let the person who is wrong win the argument, it is not fair. The one who is right deserves to win.

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

    not everyone is an honest interlocutor, so trying to win in those cases is futile

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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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