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Intelligence is a very difficult and touchy topic to cover. A ton of people have their own personal interpretations of what exactly being brainy means. Moreover, many of us also like to believe that we’re definitely above average when it comes to our skills and smarts (hello, our dear Dunning-Kruger effect, how have you been holding up?).
There’s a very sharp divide between someone who might be intelligent (i.e. book smart) and someone who is wise, experienced, relies on common sense, or knows when to follow their gut. What’s more, one’s understanding of intelligence doesn’t necessarily overlap much with emotional intelligence and the ability to empathize with and manage other people well. Don’t even get us started on the fact that just because someone is highly educated doesn’t automatically make them smart. We also have to consider whether or not someone is neuro(a)typical and figure out if we’re equating intelligence with IQ or not.
Internet users shared their opinions about the small and low-key signs that someone might be really intelligent in a very enlightening r/AskReddit thread. Check out their opinions below, Pandas. Though keep in mind, some of them have a far broader understanding of intelligence that borders on wisdom, empathy, social awareness, and perseverance (or, as we like to call it, the difference between 'intelligence' with an 'i' and 'Intelligence' with a capital 'I'). And if you’d like to share what you personally think indicates that someone is intelligent, be sure to drop by the comment section.
Bored Panda reached out to Steven Wooding, who is part of the Omni Calculator team and a member of the Institute of Physics in the UK, to talk about quantifying intelligence. Read on for our full interview with him.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
They don't go around telling other people how smart they are.
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
This goes for most aspects of a person's psyche. If I have to tell you I'm (smart, pretty, God-fearing, funny, or whatever, I'm probably not that thing.)
Aaron W 3 years ago
...Are you saying Kanye isn't a genius? Because he keeps telling us he is.
Chris M 3 years ago
"Actually, throughout my life, my two greatest assets have been mental stability and being, like, really smart. " -Guess Who
Splattered Bug 3 years ago
Dumb people don't go around telling others how dumb they are. It just comes out the mouth, that's how you know lol
LizzieBoredom 3 years ago
At least half the people in the above photograph are not walking in the crosswalk.
Tacet 3 years ago
If you are confident about an aspect of yourself you don't need others to affirm it. Although this does break down into one of three things. 1. The person is really as good as they think. 2. The person is narcissistic and is deluded 3. The person is a moron and is too stupid to realise.
Demongrrrrl 3 years ago
This is not small or low key. Kind of like a man telling you he's a nice guy.
Ashley Kelly 3 years ago
I have to say this depends on gender and appearance. I'm smart. I also have huge tatas. I have to tell people I'm actually smart often. But it is more of a situation where they are surprised by my abilities and my retort is, "Yeah. I'm smart." Sad but true.
Steven, from the Omni Calculator project, which has created over 3,000 calculators that are openly available on their website, told Bored Panda that quantifying intelligence objectively isn't easy.
"The gold standard is the IQ test, but maybe a person that does very well on this measure would be ineffective in a real-world situation that does look like an IQ test question," he explained that it's not a perfect method.
"The other issue with the IQ test is that it gives you a score relative to the population, so it's not an absolute measure. Then there is emotional intelligence, which can make a person very effective in the world but is entirely missed by the conventional IQ test," he told us.
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#2
They are comfortable admitting when they are wrong or don’t know the answer
SAF saf 3 years ago
This is more a sign of maturity I know plenty of smart folks that don't have this ability.
Josh Carpenter 3 years ago
No, no it's not. I met my gfs retired father today. We've been together 8 months, we're 36, he made it 5 min before assaulting me for "not making eye contact", in front of his 4 yr old grandson. For context, I served 3 years in an extremely loud environment and have to keep my ear towards sounds unless I lip read and American accents make words sound muddled
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Michael Largey 3 years ago
Master: "What is wisdom?" Student: "I don't know." Master: "Wise answer!"
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DforDory 3 years ago
I have to disagree. Learning to take responsibility does not take that much brain. Also, there are people who would lie about admitting they were wrong,but secretly still think not. Like a narcissist.
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Please tell me when I'm wrong to so I don't sound like an idiot down the road. A co-worker never corrected me when I continued to mispronounce a word, but I found out later and resented them for "sparing my feelings".
Celtic Pirate Queen 3 years ago
The phrase "I'm not familiar with that" gained me a great deal of respect in the workplace. As opposed to "Karl" who was a complete know it all, was usually wrong and everyone considered an absolute tool.
Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
I think this is more about confidence. I know a very smart man, but he is so insecure he has to bully everyone with his intelligence whenever he shows up.
O'Dessa Bourque 3 years ago
There is a saying that a true wise person knows they don't know everything. I don't think that's exactly how it goes, but I heard it when I was a pre-teen back in 90 or so.
#3
Asking questions. Curiosity is the true foundation of intelligence.
Gustav Gallifrey 3 years ago
Also: answering questions honestly, without making the asker feel like a dumbass for daring to ask.
StrangeOne 3 years ago
Asking questions is universal. It's the reaction to the question that interests me the most. Intelligent people won't judge you, make you feel stupid or embarrassed for asking anything. No matter how mundane and obvious the answer is.
Linda Mermaid 3 years ago
As often the only woman in the meeting room, when someone made a cryptic statement, I would ask them what they meant. All around the room, male heads would be nodding, as if to say “yeah what does that mean?” I often think some people are vague or or use $10 words to demonstrate their “intelligence” when they’re really just showing their ego.
It's essential to stay humble and grounded throughout your life, no matter how high you might rise. Though it can be easy to forget that when you see success after success and you're constantly lauded for your skills.
Steven said that it's good to remember that "everyone makes mistakes—even the most intelligent people. And next time, it could be you."
"It's good to remember this if you're feeling very confident or you've rushed an answer to a question. Take a moment to double-check yourself," he noted that nobody is above making a mistake, eventually.
It's also important not to get frustrated that others might not have the very same knowledge base as you. "It can be very hard not to get frustrated. The best way is to assume the role of a teacher and help those around you learn what you know. Over time, the gap between you and them will narrow, reducing the cause of potential frustration."
#4
It's pretty hard to be legitimately funny without being smart.
Sissy Fuss 3 years ago
I’d say the reverse also applies: it’s hard to be legitimately intelligent without having a sense of humor.
Jonathan Zoccarato 3 years ago
Any humour is literally having a "sense" of humour, it doesn't mean it's "good" or "intelligent" humour.
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LizzieBoredom 3 years ago
It is possible to be illegitimate and funny. Ask my brother, SonOfUPSGuy.
StrangeOne 3 years ago
If you have to try hard to make people laugh you're not funny. Humor is often accidental, and happens when someone has a fresh, off-hand point of view of something ordinary.
Zelda Fitzgerald 3 years ago
Agree but the best humor comes from people who are wise but jaded by life
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Abner_Mality 3 years ago
It's also difficult to be funny if the folks around you aren't smart... "I don't get it?"
Strxnger_th!ngs016 3 years ago (edited)
I'd say that this isn't necessarily true, for example, I know someone who had amazing grades, top in everything, but they didn't have much of a sense of humour and were quite awkward/not good around people. That person is also me
Kim Steffen 3 years ago
The relationship between intelligence and happiness is inversely proportional.
CindyLouWho1209 3 years ago
I think that intelligent people are often funny because they can see the humor in many situations and roll with the punches rather than getting upset.
#5
They can debate without vitriol. Really intelligent individuals can present a well informed argument while leaving emotions aside and without insulting their opponents
General Anaesthesia 3 years ago
They can disagree without dismissing their opponent or their arguments.
Jen H 3 years ago (edited)
That's a sign of a good debater, not a sign of intelligence. There are plenty of smart people who struggle with remaining emotionally neutral.
L.A. Trefry 3 years ago
I can do remain calm in a debate UNTIL and unless the person I'm communicating with refuses to believe in facts or logic or reality or citations or evidence . . . but will swallow (and defend to the death) huge amounts of absolute BS. That makes me insane.
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
So true. However, it's getting extremely difficult to have these intellectual debates with conservatives who plum the depths of ignorance to attract voters.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Ad hominem attacks immediately derail any point you were trying to make. At that point just concede. Knowing when to concede: also a good sign of intelligence and emotional maturity.
LizzieBoredom 3 years ago
It's going to take me at least 10 minutes to figure out what vitriol means.
Kristi Northcutt 3 years ago
You've probably looked it up, but when someone argues with vitriol, they are speaking from anger, hostility, and cruelty. They attack the person instead of the argent, and do it in particularly vicious manner. They are more interested in " putting you in your place" than they are in presenting their point of view and convincing you of the veracity of their points. It's like they have this bitterness and contempt just under the surface, and in a debate it all pours out, like they were throwing acid on you. They take all the fun out of debate. In my mind, I equate vitriol with poison.
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L hill 3 years ago (edited)
Well that knocks out half of the House of Representatives and senate.
Goldenrule 3 years ago
And this is an example of “insulting your opponents.”
Load More Replies... #6
They don't pretend to know things that they don't.
Toothpaste guy 3 years ago (edited)
I can confirm this is true. I may do well on standardized testing but if I wasn't extremely adept at convincing people that I know what they're talking about everyone would think I'm a dumb@ss and they wouldn't be wrong.
Josh Carpenter 3 years ago
Ugh... I was like this with tests and never did any home or class work, but they just passed me every year on the tests. Yeah, I never needed to learn anything in school, except the lessons weren't just the Jesus, I never learned to complete tasks or manage my time and was 34 before I was diagnosed with ADHD and disabled until I found a medication.
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LizzieBoredom 3 years ago
Pretending to know things I don't know is how I got 7 of my last 10 jobs.
Cuppa tea? 3 years ago
That's the motto at my current job: fake it till you make it. However I stand out, as we were told to provide any kind of information, even white lies. Me, just bluntly say I don't know or o don't have this information available. Doesn't fly well with management.
Load More Replies... Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Never! If I don't understand something, you best explain it to me if you want positive results.
sara fulmer 3 years ago
If I learned one thing from everything, it's that I don't know everything
Icecream Sarang 3 years ago
Unless it for a job interview, then I totally pretend to know stuff I don’t.
Ash 3 years ago
That's another one that I think is a sign of maturity, not intelligence. Grad school actually TAUGHT me (and lots of other people) to pretend we understood what others were talking about in order to look like we were keeping up academically. I had to train myself out of that habit. Some people never do get out of the habit, not because they aren't intelligent, but because they aren't emotionally/socially mature.
Bored Panda was also interested to find out how much the Omni Calculator project itself has touched upon untangling intelligence. Though they currently don't have anything that calculates your intelligence directly, they do have the IQ Percentile Calculator and the Happiness Calculator.
"Quantifying smartness is difficult. Omni Calculator has the IQ Percentile Calculator, which tells you what proportion of the population has a higher and lower IQ than you (requires your IQ score). Though we might be able to tell you how happy you are with our Happiness Calculator—it asks a few questions to see where you are on the Subjective Happiness Scale (SHS)."
Broadly speaking, intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills. Quick thinking, perceptiveness, a good memory, adaptability, and the ability to embrace failure are all small parts of what makes someone smart. But reading a lot of books means nothing if you can’t or won’t apply that knowledge to whatever goals you have in mind.
#7
They can frame & process unfamiliar things quickly as they learn them, & can connect them to familiar things easily both for themselves & in conversing with others. Lots of “ohhh, it’s like …” moments that are on track.
Mary Jeffries 3 years ago
Many of the smart people I’ve known seem to see concepts more clearly, like ideas are better lit to them. It’s hard to explain exactly, just they seem to see concepts with less fog/more focus to them.
Josh Carpenter 3 years ago
Yeah I can't communicate my thoughts or handle social stuff well, but my imagination and deductive reasoning abilities compensate and allow me to accel in engineering. A lot of intelligent little are terrible communicators. Like having no idea how to simplify something enough for laymen.
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StrangeOne 3 years ago
I cannot tell you how many times this ticks off managers and supervisors when you're on a new job, or teachers. These people usually have their own analogies they prefer to use and will correct you. Even if you are not wrong they want you to think if their examples instead. It's super annoying and feels dismissive.
Wondering Alice 3 years ago
I'm a fairly slow learner. I'm profoundly dyslexic, but I think it's the way I was treated in school (80's, so extremely badly) rather than the dyslexia its self which makes me so slow to learn. On the other hand, how ever long it takes, I have learned that I will get there eventually if I want to (not true for all dyslexics, and often the huge effort might not be worth it anyway). Once I understand something though, I am fantastic at communicating it to pretty much anyone who wants to know. Co workers (until they become friends and see the truth) often assume I am incredibly intelligent because I can make complex ideas accessable and simple. They don't see the effort I made to get there.
Jp@nda 3 years ago
It doesn't matter how long it takes to get there, just the fact that you have dyslexia and you still kept at it shows that you are exceptionally smart and driven, simply because you had an obstacle and used problem solving to get around it. And don't talk down about yourself" until they see the truth" your amazing!
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Ash 3 years ago
Yes, this one I totally agree is a sign of intelligence! Making connections, synthesizing information, ability to jump from the small picture to the big picture and back.
Haywood Jablome 3 years ago
One of the reasons I dropped out of college was the profs were opposed to this kind of thinking. I'd apply my newfound English language concepts to stories from this century, but I didn't apply them to poems from the year 18-whateverwhocares so FAIL
Renegade 3 years ago
It's kind of annoying when people can't do that. Maybe you're folding that paper up at the bottom because you're putting it in the wrong binder and we've said several times that's not the right binder when you've gone to look at those contracts there. But keep telling us how smart you are.
O'Dessa Bourque 3 years ago
I do this a lot. I do best with hands on learning, but while discussing things, if I can get the image in my mind, it can help a ton. Less room for misunderstanding, which I dislike doing.
#8
Adaptability. A smart individual can always think of different solutions when circumstances change.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
I also know people who would not be generally attributed with high intelligence who are amazingly good at McGuyvering things, especially in tough situations.
Terry Tobias 3 years ago
It's been theorized that there are a number of different types of intelligence. A person could be a brilliant mathematician but be unable to find their way out of a paper bag. It takes all kinds of intelligence to keep things going smoothly.
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 3 years ago
Adaptability to change can also come from a life of constant changes and moving around. If someone has lived their life in one spot and they haven't had to go through sudden changes in circumstances no matter how intelligent that person is they will have a hard time adapting than someone with an intellectual delay/disability.
Ash 3 years ago
Not always. There are a lot of really intelligent people who get really stuck in certain ways of thinking. Think of a highly intelligent person with autism: when circumstances change they might have a strong negative emotional reaction to the change in circumstances, which keeps them from thinking up a new solution for awhile.
O'Dessa Bourque 3 years ago
I sometimes struggle with this one, and is one of the reasons I think I'm on the spectrum. Plans that fall through last minute, or something I wanted to eat is gone when I specifically bought it for me can throw a big wrench into things. It's just a moment, and I unfortunately get upset, but then carry on. One life, after all...
Alan Christensen 3 years ago
I was in a problem solving business that couldn't rely on standard by-the-book solutions. So each job was a case of, "We could do this. Or this. Or what if we come at it from the other directions and do this? Or this other thing..." That was a valued skill in that line of work, but I had to learn not to do it so much in the rest of life, especially when someone else offered a solution. They usually perceived, "Or we could do this," as a rejection of their idea rather than offering options, one or two of which the other person might like more.
HarperTheCentaur (they/them) 3 years ago
I wouldn't say always. Many very intelligent people have ASD or other developmental issues. That can effect people's ability to adapt to changes. Take me for an example. I'm a highly intelligent person (although I also have abnormally slow processing speed, so it doesn't do me much good) but being on the spectrum causes me to have extreme emotional reactions to abrupt changes in plan or routine.
#9
They are open minded
Lori Jabi 3 years ago
Of course not, we are talking about intelligent people. ;)
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Goldenrule 3 years ago
I think that the intelligent aspect of being open-minded is that the person is interested in investigating the arguments of the other side. “What exactly is your viewpoint?” “What is your reasoning for this viewpoint?” “I now understand better how you arrived at that viewpoint; may I explain why I adhere to mine so that we can have a discussion about our differences?”
Headless Roach 3 years ago
It's very tricky to keep my mind open without the brain falling out. How do you folks do it?
Pink_Boba22 3 years ago
Well roach, that's why I always like to carry some duct tape in my pocket!
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Agnes Jekyll 3 years ago
Their ideas are not rigid--they can bend and change their ideas as their receive new information.
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Up to a point. I find it impossible to have an open mind whenever I hear the latest conspiracy theory. I just can't do it.
StrangeOne 3 years ago (edited)
So open-minded that they are less likely to be brain-washed because they know there is a difference between listening to what others have to say, and believing what anyone says.
Though intelligence is often celebrated (and, frankly, it’s something that humankind should aspire to as a whole), its impact is vastly overestimated in some instances. For instance, when it comes to financial stability. Or, as Bloomberg puts it: “If you’re so smart, why aren’t you rich?” Viewing intelligence only through the lens of IQ is very limiting. And correlates very little with real-life success.
Economist James Heckman’s research indicates that IQ isn’t all that important when it comes to one’s financial prospects. Instead, one’s personality is key. Traits like conscientiousness, diligence, perseverance, and self-discipline are vastly more important.
Meanwhile, Bloomberg writes that Heckman’s study found that good grades and achievement-test results predicted adult success far better than raw IQ scores. Grades are an expression of intelligence, as well as non-cognitive skills, such as good study habits or a student’s ability to collaborate with others. In short, personality is vital when it comes to success.
#10
Quick understanding of concepts that they've never encountered before. When you see it, it's mad impressive.
A friend who watches a sports game for the first time and immediately picks up on the habits and style of each team. Someone who hears a complicated explanation of something and quickly translates it into something that makes sense.
Impresses me every time I see it happen.
Darian Starfrog 3 years ago
I still wish often, I wasn't so hyper aware.. I'm only now recovery from the drugs I used to dampen this..
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Alot of us are right here with you. 🤗 It's normal, understandable, and you're not alone.
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Bobby 3 years ago
I'm studying software engineering. Whenever i get stuck on something I try to explain it to my wife who doesn't know the first thing about computers. I've found breaking it down into simpler terms or trying to find an analogy that works for her makes me learn so much more quickly and completely
Clay Nicolsen 3 years ago
"Someone who hears a complicated explanation of something and quickly translates it into something that makes sense." One of the surest signs of intelligence is the ability to explain something complex in simple terms. Surest sign that someone is pretending to understand is when you ask them to explain what they mean, and all they do is reshuffle the buzzwords.
Lee Cowell 3 years ago
yep. they catch on quick and ask questions until they understand concepts.
Mountainslady1 3 years ago
This is so me. But not just sports. I have to think this way to understand something new.
M B 3 years ago
About the Dunning-Kruger effect: not only is the characterization not particularly good, it is also blatantly wrong about this "mathematical" and average intelligence. It states: "The short version is that most people believe that their intelligence is above average. Obviously, mathematically, this can’t be the case because that would just change the collective average." - What nonsense. If you have 2/3 of the population with IQ 110, and 1/3 with IQ 80, then the average IQ is 100, but 2/3 are above average.
StrangeOne 3 years ago
I don't associate this with intelligence. People's brains work different than others. Some are more analytical and others are more visual learners. Just because someone needs to see a diagram doesn't mean they're stupid.
#11
Being able to understand other points of view….without necessarily agreeing.
Pam Hobbs 3 years ago
"Understand" or politely walk away from the insane nonsense being related.
crowspectre (he/they) 3 years ago
You still need to understand that everyone is a human and you might think that something is insane nonsense, but they probably think the exact same from their side. We all believe that we are the ones who are right, but we'll never know. Like, I think far rightists are deeply, deeply wrong and the result of bad education systems, but they probably think the same about me.
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David Phillips 3 years ago
This shouldn't mean accepting, but understanding where beliwfs come from. The Earth is not flat, but the intelligent person will be interested to know why someone might think it was.
FlatEarf 3 years ago
Well the earth is a plate for giants so naturally the earth has to be flat
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The Captain 3 years ago
This isn't exactly accurate. It isn't the ability to understand other points of view. It is understanding on the level that you can argue, logically and coherently, against your own.
Mary Crawford 3 years ago (edited)
How can you debate somebody if you don't understand? How can you even disagree if you don't understand what somebody is saying? You can understand someone's point of view and literally punch them in the face if you want to get technical about this and you are not 'necessarily agreeing'. If you're talking about being able to debate in a civilized manner, anyone can do that if they put their mind to it. Anyone who can speak and understand. And in that case this is the second time I've seen this on the list? So this redundant nonsense, I just want to let everyone know reading this list that these points are less flags of intelligence and more word salad.
#12
They listen.
Intelligent youth don't necessarily do this; some are little chatterboxes. But they often learn that they make more headway in conversations through listening to others, rather than monopolizing conversation.
Tams21 3 years ago
Intelligent people listen but "intelligent youth don't necessarily do this". This is either contradictory or having a dig at young people.
Josh Carpenter 3 years ago
Have you never met a brilliant precocious little teenager that never stops talking? They're may be brilliant but they're still kids with developing thoughts, emotions, learning social skills and who they are, etc. Adults have learned already that there benefits to listening.
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GFSTaylor 3 years ago
Depends. People on the autistic spectrum may be very intelligent, but lack the social skills to realize the are monopolizing a conversation or that they're boring the other party.
Lonely Tentacle 3 years ago
Idk, that kinda feels like more of a skill to me, rather than a sign of intelligence.
Sherri Stephens 3 years ago
Totally disagree, I still monopolies conversations , I don't mean to but my ADHD is ridiculous. Also many people with Autism and Asberger( sp) are extremely, extremely intelligent
Cindy Irvin 3 years ago
I was doing pretty well with this list until here. I talk WAY too much!
The crushinator 3 years ago
I had to learn to listen, it was difficult. But i did learn because i understood the value and importance of it.
StrangeOne 3 years ago
The quiet ones are not weird. They are observing and listening to everyone else around them and deciding for themselves who they are, rather than trying to fit in with one of the crowds.
Shawnna Clement 3 years ago
Intelligent people listen because they know you can learn new things... from even a child.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
I believe this holds true ONLY when they are listening to other intelligent people. Simply standing in a crowd listening to small talk doesn't impart knowledge or hold their interest, so they interrupt, change the subject, or walk away.
Look, Pandas, if we’re being completely honest here, I see myself as a pretty darn intelligent guy. I know I’m smart… and I work hard at it.
However, I’m also aware that this advantage is balanced out by my lack of common sense, the overwhelming propensity to daydream instead of taking action, and my idealistic naivety. I also sometimes forget to press the ‘Sarcasm’ button in my mind before speaking.
(In geek-speak, if this were Dungeons & Dragons, my Wisdom ability score would be negative, and I’d have a wildly fluctuating Charisma stat.) I know my strengths. But I’m also painfully aware of where I still need to grow.
Generally speaking, this is where the Dunning-Kruger effect kicks in. The short version is that most people believe that their intelligence is above average. Obviously, mathematically, this can’t be the case because that would just change the collective average.
The long version is that someone who (objectively) has very low skills or knowledge in a particular area believes that they are far better than they actually are. It’s a mix of arrogance and overestimating one’s competence.
#13
They don’t pry and interrogate others on their own knowledge/field of work.
Smart people understand that others can be smart too. It’s not a contest.
Bob La Capra 3 years ago
But maybe they do it because they love to learn and want to know more?
Jeremy W 3 years ago
I think in this context, they are talking about quizzing people on their field of work to see if they know anything.
Load More Replies... O'Dessa Bourque 3 years ago (edited)
Out of curiosity, I will ask questions. I also think it can make someone's day that they can talk about something they do (and hopefully enjoy!), and hear "That's actually kinda cool!" I won't fake it (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤
cogadh 3 years ago
I think understanding that other people are smart is more of a quality of humble people, not specifically smart people. I know plenty of people who would qualify as "smart" but also arrogantly believe they know more than everyone else. Also, those arrogant people would never actually "interrogate" someone on their own qualifications, they simply don't care. Smart, humble people on the other hand would ask questions that at the very least would allow them to get to know a person and their knowledge so that they can communicate on the same level.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Personally I love meeting people wherever they are, learning wise. What's important to me is that someone WANTS to learn at all, not how they compare to me. The race that is life isn't against each other, it's against ourselves. That's important for all of us to understand.
Bubbles and sparks 3 years ago
Plus .... even if one is very intelligent, no one can know everything about everything... IQ is (imho) what you're both with, EQ is what makes intelligence work better in a way that it makes people connect.
Darian Starfrog 3 years ago (edited)
It's smart to not care what anyone else is doing or thinking.. just saying
Lee Cowell 3 years ago
right. almost everyone is smarter than you are on a given subject. attorneys for example have NO idea how to replace their brake pads nor are they gonna be writing JAVA code.
Ivan Petrov 3 years ago
If someone tells me "I.you an expert on {subject}", and it is something I'm mildly interested in, I'm asking a bunch of questions - what better way to learn more, than from someone who practices it.
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago (edited)
Let's rephrase this... The writer means that a smart person won't automatically think you're stupid, and try to challenge how smart and competent you are to see if their low opinion of your smarts is correct. That's true. A smart person understands that the time to learn something, and, the mind's storage capacity are both finite, so you can become really competent in a few things, or marginally competent in a lot of things. A person who devoted all of their investment into math will suffer poor grades in the studies they neglected to gain that expert ability in math. Smart people always want to learn something new, and are happiest when in "student" mode. Smart people also always correctly assume that others may be as or more intelligent than they are and will naturally over- rather -than -under- estimate another person's ability and intelligence until the facts reveal themselves.
#14
I find it is often in their eyes - even if they don't say much their eyes are always scanning, thinking, indicative of a very active mental world. A bit like border collie's eyes lol
Tams21 3 years ago
One of the smartest people I've ever met was a litterature professor. He was a modest and generally very nice man but half the time it felt like his mind was in one of the countless books in his head. I don't doubt that intelligent people can (and often are) very aware of their surroundings but I disagree that's it's a sign of intelligence in and of itself.
Charles Mayberry 3 years ago
It's also a good indicator of anxiety. Or in some cases training. Watch experienced police officers or a combat veteran, they do this as well but they are in a world of constant threat analysis.
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Bubbles and sparks 3 years ago
My SO is a former police officer. In his line of duty, there was no way to do his job if he didn't have the active mental world... Still now he sees things about situations/people I'm completely oblivious about and world never connect the dots. On the rare occasions we're out together, he always knows where we are, how to get somewhere fast, where the nearest exits are, what to avoid and what people are up to if they only act slightly sus.... Me, I can read people quite easy when meeting them and taking to them, but I could never keep up with his mental speed of assessing a situation.
Mihai Mara 3 years ago
"Honey, you got border collie eyes"..... "Daniel, that's not a romantic thing to say"
Jan Dunn 3 years ago
The smartest man I have ever personally known was in intellectual property lawyer with a double degree in engineering and law. Also one of the kindest people I've ever met but when you were talking to him you could tell his mind was on six different things at once and still totally on you.
Stannous Flouride 3 years ago
You can see it in the eyes of the very young. Human and otherwise.
#15
Admitting when they’re wrong, or educating someone instead of shaming them
Christopher Trott 3 years ago
I am rarely 100 percent sure and will always go back to researching if I or others raise doubts. I live with someone that ignores when I say I stand corrected and loves to go on how I was wrong. And only truly stupid people make fun of someone for mispronunciation even though they used the word correctly. Not knowing the correct way to say something but do know where and when means they read and comprehend.
Darian Starfrog 3 years ago
Well, ofcourse, I only want EVERYONE to evolve, so I can relax..finally
GMc 3 years ago
What's the line? Failure is just another name for experience. (And boy am I experienced.)
Load More Replies... Mountainslady1 3 years ago
This. I am known for this. I love teaching/educating people on topics they don't know/are doing wrong. Unless you are harming someone or something, I don't get all drill Sgt on you. I point it out and tell you how you can do better next time.
However, interestingly, the Dunning-Kruger effect also applies to those who excel in their chosen area of expertise. These brainiacs may believe that the knowledge that they have is easy for others to understand or that a particular task is not all that difficult. They also tend to underestimate their own skills.
It’s not enough to be brilliantly smart if you’re unable to maintain it all. Having a good diet, getting plenty of exercise, staying curious, and maintaining strong social ties are all factors that help you stay sharp as you age. Taking care of yourself is the intelligent thing to do.
#16
Quiet confidence when in discussion and being able to discuss BOTH sides without turning it into an argument.
Throwing tantrums, yelling and screaming as a functional adult because someone has a different opinion than you do usually leads me to believe you didn't mentally mature effectively.
I have a relatively conservative friend who works in my industry (Restaurants) and is extremely tolerant of those around us. Doesn't drink, doesn't smoke, no dope, church every Sunday, is against abortion, doesn't agree with immigration policy, etc etc etc... We have had VERY long winded discussions in the prep room about things like that, and at the end of the day, we agree to disagree and then rock paper scissors on who's doing the floors and who's cleaning the freezer.
Frank H 3 years ago
But you have to stand up against obvious stupidity and gross misunderstandings. If you don‘t, it results in burning books and people…
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Emotional immaturity can't be equated with intellectual maturity. A person can be emotionally stunted due to life circumstances (drugs, alcohol, abuse, neglect) but it's not a reflection on their intelligence.
PickledZucchini11 3 years ago
I think it depends. A person with high emotional maturity could also be considered emotionally intelligent, and that's a form of intelligence, although it doesn't necessarily equate intellectual intelligence.
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HellyHacka 3 years ago
The both of you will be opening each other's minds further with these discussions. People can't be made to see another side to things if they won't listen and debate them. So while this person is conservative (probably lived amongst them in formative years) make no mistake you could have an influence on some of those opinions yet.
Cindy Floyd 3 years ago
Does this include family issues. I'm the youngest of 3 girls and I'm the 'baby',, 10 years you ger than them and they drive me bat s**t crazy...so bad...they only see their own points of view...makes me want to scream.
M. R. 3 years ago
He can’t possibly be very intelligent if he is against abortion. Abortion can save a woman’s life and women should have dominion over the choice is made for their body.
Ryan Frundles 3 years ago
This is that closed mindedness people are talking about. Just because you don't understand the thoughts and feelings of the opposition doesn't mean they don't have thoughts and considerations that are as valid as yours or anyone else's
Load More Replies... #17
They ask few questions, but the ones they do ask are very insightful.
Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
This contradicts that they are always curious. Asking questions and not being afraid to acknowledge they don't know is the characteristic I'd say fits better.
Jonathan Zoccarato 3 years ago (edited)
It literally does not contradict anything. Being always curious doesn't mean "Full of a bunch of questions they need answered because they don't understand the topic." An intelligent person only asks a few questions for whatever clarity they need on the topic they've already grasped quickly... Did you know it's possible to be curious, just observe and come up with the answers to your questions yourself??
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Devon Archer 3 years ago
is it me or do the kids look pissed that this kid is raising his hand? Essentially like Lisa Simpson.
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago
Another qualifier... Better to say that a smart person asks more well-considered questions, which means few questions about things they can figure out on their own if they just give it a few extre minutes of thought.
#18
creativity, thinking laterally, and problem solving!
#19
A combination of critical thinking skills (direct problem solving) and lateral thinking skills (thinking outside the box). Being able to pull together data from both inside and outside a problem to solve it
Christopher Trott 3 years ago
It is sometimes easier to fix something others cannot because you don’t know as much as they do.
Linda Riebel 3 years ago
That's why children can solve problems that flummox adults.
Load More Replies... Lee Cowell 3 years ago
smart people think outside-the-box. they're not sheep and will disagree with mass media more often than not. they would NEVER follow a Hitler or Musk or Biden
Thanatos Charles 3 years ago
I don't think that this is really intelligence, I have a friend that often need extensive explanation on various concepts, and most people perceive him as a bit on the slow side, but this man is exceptional at lateral thinking and problem solving, over the years his nickname became "catch 22" he is the guy you call when you find yourself in that kind of thing,
#20
Can make complex ideas explained in an easier way
Darian Starfrog 3 years ago
If you don't understand something thoroughly, you use big words ..just saying
Scott Vandiver 3 years ago
"If you don't understand it well enough to explain it to a five year old in a way that they can understand, then you don't understand it well enough."
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Apatheist Account2 3 years ago
The art of communication is to talk in the way that the person you're talking to understands.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Being able to break things down into understandable steps is a skill in and of itself.
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Talk to me like I'm 4yo. If you can explain a complex idea that simply, you're wicked smart.
Marie Dahme 3 years ago
This is why I watch medical videos on YouTube by Chubbyemu. Great doctor who explains things in layman’s terms.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Chubbyemu is an excellent source, can confirm and also recommend. 😉👍
Load More Replies... Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago (edited)
Darian Starfrog... No, you use big words because these explain more with less words and with the greater conciseness needed for short attention spans. Look at all of the ways that people are trying to explain, "Faster cognitive and correlative abilities". It's the communication equivalent of traveling 10 miles by airplane versus a bicycle.
Alan Christensen 3 years ago
Being able to decipher jargon and restate it in ordinary language.
Ovata Acronicta 3 years ago
I have a very open and understanding platform with my psychologist - I am never afraid to ask her to reword her statement or question, and she is never against explaining it in different terms, or elucidating what the terms of her questions mean. She's brilliant, and I'm just okay :)
#21
Tactful and careful wording. It implies that they are consciously, actively taking into consideration their environment and the feelings of those around them.
Someone who blurts out something impulsive or insensitive is typically not someone I would consider wise.
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
Someone who blurts things out may simply be socially awkward, on the autism spectrum, or thinking faster than they can speak.
a_smol_berry 3 years ago
I was gonna say. I am smart but I am autistic and have adhd and it’s causes some issues more socially including things like this.
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Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
I disagree. Wisdom is not synonymous with and does not equal intelligence. It is usually a learned skill from experience, and inexperienced intelligent people can be very unwise.
Wondering Alice 3 years ago
I'm with you Ruth. My first Job, I worked with 2 guys. One was probably around average intelligence, but slow and plodding - he did seem to have a huge amount of wisdom though, he didn't talk much but what he said often felt deep and profound. The other guy was unquestionably intelligent - having PhD's in both chemistry and physics. He seemed incredibly lacking in the wisdom department, sometimes worryingly so. Before I worked with these 2, I might have thought intelligence and wisdom were connected.
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Karen Philpott 3 years ago
Sometimes it's a get to the point, or they've got to the conclusion while you're still going through the motions. I know it's annoying but it's hard sometimes to be patient.
Tiger Lilly 3 years ago
I think even smart people can do dumb s**t sometimes, we're all human after all.
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago
"Blurting" is a cognitive glitch that has nothing to do with intelligence. *Assuming with immunity to being informed* is definately a product of lower intelligence.
crowspectre (he/they) 3 years ago
Hah my brain goes way faster than my mouth and I do consider myself pretty smart- not wildly smart but I'm no dumbass (although I do act like one a lot) and I often say s**t and instantly regret it.
River (they/them) 3 years ago
Glad to know my autistic butt is considered unintelligent then 🙃 (sarcasm)
#22
when you're complaining, they ask if you want advice, or just someone to listen
Bubbles and sparks 3 years ago (edited)
Trust me, it's not. I've known people who were surrounded daily by people who'd know what someone needed at that time, and they themselves still never learned that that's an option. With them it was and would always be me me me me me.... Even now, when getting older, they act like they regret not having read between the lines but give them a few minutes to talk about it and you'll find out they still blame the world for their misfortunes and it's still just about them.
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Aboredpanda 3 years ago (edited)
This is social/emotional intelligence. Some people are naturals, but it's also one of the most easily learned skills. Even when one needs help/guidance with it initially.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
... because they WILL try to "fix" your problem, and you might not like their concise and observant suggestions otherwise... Just tell us you're venting first, please.
Scott Vandiver 3 years ago
This was one of the most important lessons I learned about interacting with a friend who is having some crisis.
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago
Respectfully and firmly disagree here, as this is about individual personality and temperament composition rather than intelligence. The person who is able to listen is only able to do so because they can remain disengaged from any commitment to care or help. This is why strangers have less expectations of you than friends and family do. Advice; unsolicited or not, is given because the other person is invested in your happiness and wellbeing. You cannot have both in the same person. If the person cares for you and you want them to just just be quiet and only give affirmation, this is you nailing one of their feet to the floor, setting the house on fire, and then pulling up a chair to calmly discuss how warm it's getting. If a person gives you the detachment needed to be your sounding board, any comfort they give you will be empty of any real emotional or tangible investment into your current or future happiness. If you think it's possible to be both, do it, and see what happens.
StrangeOne 3 years ago (edited)
Usually when people complain in a whiny way they just want someone to listen. Say anything to relate and they'll get defensive. If someone wants advice but someone wants to explain the situation first, that means they're thinking aloud, trying to sort and make sense of the situation so you understand the premise before asking for help on the matter. There's a difference.
#23
They are able to adjust their speech without sounding patronizing to the person they are speaking to. They pay attention to how other people learn and explain things in their terms
Kharyss 3 years ago
Not a sign of intelligence. You can be highly intelligent but have no people skills whatsoever. You can also clearly explain things to others if you have good subject knowledge and moderate intelligence.
nuberiffic 3 years ago
...so not a sign of intelligence but it's a skill based on intelligence?
Load More Replies... Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
"Code switching", it's called. This is more of a situational awareness and emotional/social maturity than book smarts intelligence though.
Darian Starfrog 3 years ago
That and start speaking in their accent, or speech impediment by accident.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Incidental mirroring. It's just a part of language learning. So long as the other person understands you're not mocking them...
Load More Replies... Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
This is correct. Being able to quickly adapt to a situation or a person. Good insight.
O'Dessa Bourque 3 years ago
I try to use movie references if at all possible. To almost literally give a mental image to assist. Though, not usually horror movies. Mostly because few are into horror as I am, around me any how (≧▽≦)
#24
This isn’t a universal “intelligent” trait but a few of the smartest people I know are always a little bit paranoid and very aware of their surroundings. Two people in particular who come to mind are meticulously aware of the small details happening in the moment that most people would just miss. They can get a read on a complete stranger sitting across the room with frightening precision. It’s not a well read, book smart type of intelligence. But more of a hyper awareness of all things while still laughing, having fun or holding a conversation. Like the hardware on their brain works more efficiently.
StrangeOne 3 years ago
I agree. Although the person capable of reading everyone in the room seems relaxed and calm they are not inside their heads. They can pick up on ingenuine friendly behaviours and know who's acting fake and who's real. It sucks when you're in a position where you don't want to be rude but you want to so badly call them out, or leave quickly. You just can't do that at a job.
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Grey Beard 3 years ago
This isn't about a hyper awareness as a result of trauma, it is more of a hyper empathy skill. I can do this, it generally takes me a couple of minutes to read someone and figure out who they are. Not a 100% success rate, but I'm generally accurate. It allows me to relate well with people I have very little in common with, as I can adapt my behaviour enough to make them feel comfortable. Useful when managing a project and I need things done, people are far more willing to do the work if they feel relaxed around me. It's all the tiny little mannerisms, the way they talk, the way they react to other people, how they sit, how they look at you. It's a flood of information helping build a picture of who they are.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Hyper awareness is usually from being treated like unwanted outcasts and attempts to mitigate being hurt and humiliated.
Christopher Trott 3 years ago
I am not paranoid but I look around a space to see what could go wrong. Like “that is going to fall”. “Someone is going to slip” I feel like Aunt Josephine but without being crippled by fear.
Debby Keir 3 years ago
Just asking, but how do you KNOW you've got a read on a complete stranger sitting across the room, with frightening precision.....they're a stranger and one rarely interacts with 'strangers' enough to 'accurately read them'. Or is this 'Those are bad men' and 2 seconds later the police surround them with a SWAT team?
Monica Vondruska 3 years ago
People who have experienced trauma learn this as a survival skill, but I agree, and have observed this in highly intelligent adults and even some children.
#25
They make keen observations about minuscule things. Shows how attentive and aware they are
Sigrún Hlín 3 years ago
OCD is characterised by intrusive thoughts. It's nothing to do with being detail oriented.
Load More Replies... Christopher Trott 3 years ago
Minuscule or mundane or something that can escape attention. Actually seeing things and drawing conclusions. Then jumping on the Internet to see if you’re right.
#26
Patience, and they don’t make knee jerk reactions.
Darian Starfrog 3 years ago (edited)
Patience..oh patience, aren't we close friends.. waiting for the scientific news that allows me to speak of what I've known for years..
David Phillips 3 years ago
I assume from your username and comment that you're an extraterrestrial on a kind of "Day the Earth stood still" mission. Sorry if I've blown your cover, but we could really use the advice right now!
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StrangeOne 3 years ago
Impatient people think they're being so productive and efficient, but they come off as demeaning and pompous.
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Again, up to a point. Having a "discussion" with a conspiracy-fueled conservative is NOT when you reserve patience. Let's admit it. There are some people who don't deserve this level of respect.
Monica Vondruska 3 years ago
As I understand it, the phrase means: to react quickly with thinking; often used to describe reacting in an uniformed way, without asking questions first. I believe the phrase originated from medicine, because the lower leg will jerk (jump/move) up if the knee is gently tapped in a certain location with a triangle shape rubber “hammer” by a doctor, if one is sitting on the exam table with legs hanging down. It is a test performed by doctors on a child’s knees. It does not hurt.
Load More Replies... Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
No. Most of us are actually very impatient. We just adapted because it was necessary.
#27
Excellent memory and retention and then application of such after a passage of time.
Kharyss 3 years ago
Not for all things. I know some ferociously intelligent people. Multiple degrees. Constant thirst for knowledge. Can understand and combine complex concepts then extrapolate to develop their own theories. But they can’t set the microwave timer or remember what they had for dinner last night. If it’s not important to them, they will simply not retain the knowledge.
Frank H 3 years ago
That’s not a contradiction but a necessity, I think. One of the brain‘s greatest feature is focus. Some people remember food others are tech savvy for example.
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Lonely Tentacle 3 years ago
Memory can't be helped, sometimes it's better or worse because of hereditary factors, cognitive impairments and issues, brain issues, and others. Definitely not related to intelligence. Also I know many intelligent people who are also forgetful. Two different things.
David Phillips 3 years ago
Many educational systems around the world confuse memory with intelligence, probably because it's cheaper to test.
Lou Cam 3 years ago
Sadly illness and age can take away these abilities. I have post graduate degrees and I used to be able to prep talks, complete papers and revise so easily. I could remember everything from my studies very clearly for a good 10 years but then got sick and now I can barely string a sentence together much less remember anything from back then. I even forgot the names of my roomates. I've even taken my qualifications off my work signature as I feel like a fraud using them.
Jp@nda 3 years ago
I couldn't imagine what that would feel like. I genuinely am so sorry for your loss, and that's exactly what it is. But you are not a fraud, you earned every qualification you have. Maybe you could start journaling now everything that you do remember just so you know that you will never lose that too. I wish you all the best.
Load More Replies... Wondering Alice 3 years ago
I don't agree with this one either. An excellent memory plus good retrieval is massively helpful to make what intelligence you do have go further, but I do not believe they are linked. I have taught kids who are very week in a subject, but helped them pass by rote learning enough to get grades. Conversely, I have taught kids who struggle so much with recall there is little point in teaching formulas and such like - you have to teach them how to work everything out for themselves. The second group is at a major disadvantage in school, but is not by any means less intelligent.
Lee Cowell 3 years ago
I believe people with good memories are just plain smarter. I can remember 6 digits briefly but not any more. however alphanumeric, no way. smart people have excellent long-term memory. Analytics though is more important than acute memory.
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago
Nope... People with severe brain damage or severe mental illness affecting memory and retention can still be extraordinarility intelligent.
#28
When asked a question, they take the time to think about an answer rather than just blurting out any and all info on the subject that they remember.
GMc 3 years ago
Wait for it ..... Wait for it ...... You know it's going to be good .... Wait for it ...
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 3 years ago (edited)
Another issue with lack of cooperation with patience from society, in general. It's terribly frustrating when people don't want to wait to hear the answer you carefully craft in your noggin, because they live their life by the millisecond.
Paul Hansbury 3 years ago
I wish people would respect thoughtful reflection while listening to the answer to the question that they asked.
Load More Replies... Riley Quinn 3 years ago
One of my favorite responses from a professor or a boss was, "I'll get back to you on that". I knew when they were ready, I'd get my query answered properly.
D. Pitbull 3 years ago
Funny how this is usually how I figure out if someone actually asked me a question they want to hear MY answer for... It's a bit depressing figuring out that it's usually just that they're hoping to gain confirmation bias. They take the 'pause and think' moment to usually accuse me of "well, you obviously don't know sh--", or ... "well, you're lying about how you feel."
Mary Kelly 3 years ago
maybe....sometimes intelligent people are just so happy and anxious to talk to someone about a subject that they love, they will just dive right in...like anyone else....
Ovata Acronicta 3 years ago
Y'all wanna hear about the myth of human exceptionalism tho? I'll write you a book. My argument starts with
Eledore Massis 3 years ago
I'd love for all people to do this. And not blur out all the answers they know an leak company secrets KAREN!
Richard Graham 3 years ago
Notice that Barack Obama will frequently take a few seconds before answering a question, or pause before speaking. Donald Trump just blurts out snide answers. 'nuff said.
Ryan Frundles 3 years ago
That's more about public speaking and interview skills than anything
Load More Replies... #29
Usually their jokes don't revolve around sexual jokes or toilet humour.
Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
No. They can be as down and dirty as anybody when they're in that kind of mood. Intelligent people often know more so called bad words than the average person and how to use them to effect. Think of some famous, clever and very funny comedians who use foul language.
Lonely Tentacle 3 years ago (edited)
I agree! Plus intelligence doesn't have anything to do with preferences.
Load More Replies... Headless Roach 3 years ago
But- but- toilet humour is the best. Damn, I'm an ordinary idiot then.
GMc 3 years ago (edited)
No, you're an extraordinary idiot, don't sell yourself short. And welcome to the club.
Load More Replies... The crushinator 3 years ago (edited)
Just another way for people to feel better than other people because they need to. Enjoy your farts, life is too short.
Load More Replies... Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Entirely untrue. We also cuss like you would not believe. Just because we understand time and place context doesn't mean a fart stopped being silly. We all are generally very cunning linguists. 😉
Tjock Javel 3 years ago
Which intelligent person does not launch att themself after farting on their lazy cat?
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago
I had four people in my life who tested at IQ baselines of between 160-188, and all four would regularly tell the filthiest jokes and cuss the air purple. Being crude was a pressure relief valve. In same breath, plenty of stupid people say nasty and mean-spirited things they think are funny. There's no such thing as a funny victimless joke, but if your intention is to be hateful or to to cause deliberate harm to another, that's just being evil, and that's neither smart nor funny.
Ovata Acronicta 3 years ago
Have you truly lived until you've fallen, laughing, to the floor of a store at midnight while making Rude sounds with noise putty?
The crushinator 3 years ago
Or witnessed a dog fart itself awake and start barking like you're the problem, classic.
Load More Replies... #30
Not arguing back to further prove there point to be right
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
I think I'm getting the gist here. Being confident enough in one's self to not have to have the last word. Am I close?
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Oh no, we'll have a counter argument. We're just not going to keep going. The points will be laid out concisely, but we're well aware we can lead that horse to water, but we can't make them drink. Also "their". Your argument is ironically weakened with such a glaring typo.
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago
A smart person may defend their point with spirited conviction, but they are still always open to being proven wrong. If you can ethically and factually prove them wrong, they will accept the updated facts and actually adopt them moving forward. Rubbing in a win is actually the act of a stupid person celebrating the fact that for once they were right, or, a much abused person who is fed up with being automatically refuted every time they argue with a stupid person.
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
And will they even listen if you bother? Exactly. We pick our battles.
Load More Replies... DforDory 3 years ago
It depends on the situation- ex.: At my job a Sales Manager (not mine,i am in different department) wants to imply a paperwork that we already do, but he wants to make it more complicated, giving us 5x work, without logic - he's new and wants to just renew things. I will fight against that until I can,because it's pure stupid and gives me tons of extra work without reason.
#31
They think with their brain rather than their emotions
GMc 3 years ago
Except the appendix. Never think with the appendix. That's how you get appendicitis.
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HelloWorld 3 years ago
Emotional intelligence is an often-overlooked type of intelligence. Governs ones maturity and ability to empathize.
Darian Starfrog 3 years ago
Wrong, the body, soul, spirit, and brain, are one..as we must be..
Cassi Lyris 3 years ago
Also entirely untrue. You never want to deal with someone ironically screeching about thinking with their heads and not their hearts. I do speak from experience. It doesn't matter how "smart" someone is on paper if they're an unbearable @sshole.
Che 3 years ago
That's actually stupid. Getting a bad feeling, or a good feeling, can be the catalyst for making a closer observation of something. Logically, the Def Leppard guy should have retired. Was it not emotion saying, no, don't know how, just know I want to keep going. Then came the logic of rearranging, then the mental leap linking the magazine article to a practical application in his life. With no "emotional thinking" the brain need not be consulted or bothered with finding a way. Criminal Minds episode. Logic says stay on the case. Emotion says my sick kid and husband need me. Because she went home in time to take the kid to the doctor, in going to the pharmacy, the case was solved. Brain and emotion interconnect greatly and often.
Jp@nda 3 years ago
I'm so lost, we were talking about Def Leppard and i was excited to see where that was going but then something about a sick kid, then criminal minds swooped in from left field, and now. Now I'm just confused, help me pandas
Load More Replies... StrangeOne 3 years ago
This is a learned skill that is common with those working in occupations that deal with trauma and real life-threatening situations. You have to numb or push aside your emotional reactions to be able to think clearly, rationally and calmly to do what needs to get done. That doesn't mean empathy and sympathy are not present. There has to be some understanding of the patient's or victim's situation for reassurance and keep them calm. Could you imagine if an EMS worker started screaming and crying at the sight of blood and someone in pain?
Riley Quinn 3 years ago
Emotions play a role in intelligence. Maybe not a pertinent role in all cases, but still there, nevertheless.
Graham Berry 3 years ago
a tendency to be clinical. It must make sense before it is assigned importance, emotional or otherwise.
What do you think ?
Tams21 3 years ago
I disagree with a good chunk of these. I've met some very smart people who have been modest, open minded and just nice people. I've met others who made sure everyone knew how smart they were and were arrogant narcissists. Many of the things on the list are just personality traits.
Auntriarch 3 years ago
Absolutely, and I think some of those people have different definitions of intelligent.
Load More Replies... Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
Some of these points treat intelligent people as if they're some kind of Alien beings above the common run. They may be smarter but they're still human beings and fallible as well as emotional and not necessarily nice or nasty. Just like everybody else, flawed. Ain't nobody perfect. 😉
crowspectre (he/they) 3 years ago
Actually I'm perfect it's been scientifically proven please don't ask me where I got my scars I was doing uh perfect people things definitely not being a complete idiot
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fadedandjaded 3 years ago
and a constant rehash as well! they're always the same article with slightly different wording of answers... https://www.boredpanda.com/subtle-signs-someone-intelligent | https://www.boredpanda.com/subtle-signs-of-intelligence/ | https://www.boredpanda.com/people-share-sign-of-intelligence-noticed-in-others | https://www.boredpanda.com/signs-that-someone-is-intelligent-ask-reddit
Load More Replies... Bubbles and sparks 3 years ago
What I found when reading all the above posts, it's all about how intelligence is perceived for each. So it's not really about how intelligent someone really is, is about how intelligent someone comes across ;)
Pink_Boba22 3 years ago
Intelligence can't be put into one circle. I've been on bored panda for nearly 3 years now, and I remember the good old days where it wasn't just a mf cesspool of people bashing on certain individuals or communities. When it was creative, ACTUALLY humorous, colourful, informative and just downright fun. There is a lot of wasted potential with these writers. Please bored panda, I want the old you back.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
None of these are correct. Generalization is impossible when it comes to the human mind. There are so many different ways to be intelligent! The really brilliant people I've had the joy to know run the gamut from social disasters who anger everyone around them to wonderfully well-rounded individuals who excel at their profession, their hobbies, and in their personal lives.
DeoManus Argentem 3 years ago
I think a lot of these confuse wisdom with intelligence and vice versa.
Tams21 3 years ago
I disagree with a good chunk of these. I've met some very smart people who have been modest, open minded and just nice people. I've met others who made sure everyone knew how smart they were and were arrogant narcissists. Many of the things on the list are just personality traits.
Auntriarch 3 years ago
Absolutely, and I think some of those people have different definitions of intelligent.
Load More Replies... Ruth Hempsey 3 years ago
Some of these points treat intelligent people as if they're some kind of Alien beings above the common run. They may be smarter but they're still human beings and fallible as well as emotional and not necessarily nice or nasty. Just like everybody else, flawed. Ain't nobody perfect. 😉
crowspectre (he/they) 3 years ago
Actually I'm perfect it's been scientifically proven please don't ask me where I got my scars I was doing uh perfect people things definitely not being a complete idiot
Load More Replies... fadedandjaded 3 years ago
and a constant rehash as well! they're always the same article with slightly different wording of answers... https://www.boredpanda.com/subtle-signs-someone-intelligent | https://www.boredpanda.com/subtle-signs-of-intelligence/ | https://www.boredpanda.com/people-share-sign-of-intelligence-noticed-in-others | https://www.boredpanda.com/signs-that-someone-is-intelligent-ask-reddit
Load More Replies... Bubbles and sparks 3 years ago
What I found when reading all the above posts, it's all about how intelligence is perceived for each. So it's not really about how intelligent someone really is, is about how intelligent someone comes across ;)
Pink_Boba22 3 years ago
Intelligence can't be put into one circle. I've been on bored panda for nearly 3 years now, and I remember the good old days where it wasn't just a mf cesspool of people bashing on certain individuals or communities. When it was creative, ACTUALLY humorous, colourful, informative and just downright fun. There is a lot of wasted potential with these writers. Please bored panda, I want the old you back.
2WheelTravlr 3 years ago
None of these are correct. Generalization is impossible when it comes to the human mind. There are so many different ways to be intelligent! The really brilliant people I've had the joy to know run the gamut from social disasters who anger everyone around them to wonderfully well-rounded individuals who excel at their profession, their hobbies, and in their personal lives.
DeoManus Argentem 3 years ago
I think a lot of these confuse wisdom with intelligence and vice versa.
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