Do people on RF believe they are more intelligent than everyone else?

[Skwim]

I'm a lot smarter than I think I am.

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[Magic Man]

Well first off, "intelligence" is relative. For example a lot of people would consider a Physics professor to be quite intelligent, but if you were lost in the Congo and you had a choice of having either a Physics professor or The Crocodile Hunter helping you to get through the treacherous jungle and back to safety, most people (if not all) would pick The Crocodile Hunter as the Physics professor's "smarts" is virtually rendered useless overall in this scenario.

I don't think that's a difference of intelligence level, though. The difference there is the knowledge of different things. The physics professor could be much more intelligent than the Crocodile Hunter, but just have no experience with a situation like that.

 

[Revoltingest]

Intelligence can be a wonderful thing, but sometimes it's wasted on fruitless efforts.
For example, I know this guy working on his PhD dissertation in Biblical studies......never mind.

 

[outhouse]

I will say this.

I hang out is some cutting edge forums that deal with technical subjects. Computers to helicopters.

There is a pretty educated crowd here with a few specialist.

I learn quite a bit here and the subjects covered vary.

hats off to you all!!!

OP has a valid point that I find true do to a high level of educated patrons

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

I don't think that's a difference of intelligence level, though. The difference there is the knowledge of different things. The physics professor could be much more intelligent than the Crocodile Hunter, but just have no experience with a situation like that.

Also, there's not just one kind of intelligence.

 

[YmirGF]

Personally, I measure intelligence by how resourceful people are in finding effective solutions to solve problems/challenges. I find this far more meaningful than how well one might do on a given test under somewhat sterile conditions.

That said, I find there are many highly intelligent people on RF. I think most "have their moments" of genius, but precious few exhibit the trait on a regular basis. Where I fit into the pack is quite irrelevant to me and has very little impact on my day to day experience.

That said, it should be added that I also see many rather stupid comments from what are otherwise very intelligent people. That is always as instructive as it is amusing and I am certainly no exception to this foible.

 

[outhouse]

Personally, I measure intelligence by how resourceful people are in finding effective solutions to solve problems/challenges. I find this far more meaningful than how well one might do on a given test under somewhat sterile conditions.

That is IQ at work and no level of education can substitue that

 

[Mister_T]

I don't think that's a difference of intelligence level, though. The difference there is the knowledge of different things. The physics professor could be much more intelligent than the Crocodile Hunter, but just have no experience with a situation like that.

I don't think I mentioned anything about intelligence level, rather that the concept of being "intelligent" is a relative concept: One may be extremely intelligent in one area, but not another. "Intelligence" is not just limited to academics, intellgent debates, etc even though areas of that nature are generally how a person is gauged of their intelligence. 9-10ths summed up the point I was trying to make:

Also, there's not just one kind of intelligence.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

Intellectually. NO

Emotionally. YES.

 

[Magic Man]

I don't think I mentioned anything about intelligence level, rather that the concept of being "intelligent" is a relative concept: One may be extremely intelligent in one area, but not another. "Intelligence" is not just limited to academics, intellgent debates, etc even though areas of that nature are generally how a person is gauged of their intelligence. 9-10ths summed up the point I was trying to make:

I would say you can be smart or knowledgeable in one area or another, but if you're intelligent, you're intelligent. That's why IQ tests measure your ability to figure things out rather than your knowledge of the English language or history.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I would say you can be smart or knowledgeable in one area or another, but if you're intelligent, you're intelligent. That's why IQ tests measure your ability to figure things out rather than your knowledge of the English language or history.

Yeah, but maybe I'm really intelligent at making toast or playing frisbee.

 

[ChristineES]

The RF is full of intelligent, articulate people.

 

[Quiddity]

It's hard to completely capture.

Some rather bright people in this forum can't defend themselves a lick in real life. They might stutter, get insecure about what they know, and a number of other things.

And there is some of average intelligence that have a silver tongue and just sound smart. So yeah, I agree with Mr. Penguin that there is more then one type of smart.

Many of you would be close to retarded on knowing what to do in the ghetto. You'd committ a number of errors that would make you vulnerable to lions. They are easy to spot.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Many of you would be close to retarded on knowing what to do in the ghetto. You'd committ a number of errors that would make you vulnerable to lions. They are easy to spot.

Yeah, like using the phrase "the ghetto."

 

[Quiddity]

Yeah, like using the phrase "the ghetto."

Barrio? Slums? Projects? Whatever you want Mr. Trout.

 

[Mister_T]

You'd committ a number of errors that would make you vulnerable to lions. They are easy to spot.

It's surprising at how many smart people (high IQ's and all) make the mistake of simple little things like making eye contact in neighborhoods you're not supposed to. That's a no-brainer to those people living those bad neighborhoods, but to an outsider that's something they might not ever think of. Again, goes to show that being smart is not limited to having a high IQ or getting straight A's in astro physics.

 

[Mister_T]

I would say you can be smart or knowledgeable in one area or another, but if you're intelligent, you're intelligent. That's why IQ tests measure your ability to figure things out rather than your knowledge of the English language or history.

Thing is though, there's lots of people with high IQ's that do would do things that are considered "dumb" in certain circles. "Intelligence" is a matter of perspective and is not confined to specific areas like IQ tests, IMO.

 

[Magic Man]

It's surprising at how many smart people (high IQ's and all) make the mistake of simple little things like making eye contact in neighborhoods you're not supposed to. That's a no-brainer to those people living those bad neighborhoods, but to an outsider that's something they might not ever think of. Again, goes to show that being smart is not limited to having a high IQ or getting straight A's in astro physics.

Thing is though, there's lots of people with high IQ's that do would do things that are considered "dumb" in certain circles. "Intelligence" is a matter of perspective and is not confined to specific areas like IQ tests, IMO.

See, this is what I'm saying. Not understanding other groups' culture is not a question of intelligence. Making eye contact in an area where the culture deems eye contact to be confrontational is not a question of intelligence; it's a question of knowledge. You also need to be careful how you sign "thank you" to deaf people, since it could easily turn into an insulting gesture. But if you don't know that I don't think that's an indication of your level of intelligence. It's an indication of your learned knowledge of the world. An intelligent person can learn hard concepts, while an unintelligent one can't.

 

[YmirGF]

Thing is though, there's lots of people with high IQ's that do would do things that are considered "dumb" in certain circles. "Intelligence" is a matter of perspective and is not confined to specific areas like IQ tests, IMO.

That reminds me of a fellow I once knew. Eric was brilliant in Chemistry and programming. The downside for Eric was when he had to function in the real world. He was very sad and appeared befuddled most of the time. Talking to him was like talking to a rather excited child who didn't really know what they were babbling about - get him in front of Source Code or in a Chem lab and the young man shone. It made a lasting impression on me... That also reminds me of another fellow I still know who is very "street smart" and no slouch in the intellectual department either. Sadly he is an emotional "zero" and has horrid interpersonal skills.

 

[Mister_T]

See, this is what I'm saying. Not understanding other groups' culture is not a question of intelligence. Making eye contact in an area where the culture deems eye contact to be confrontational is not a question of intelligence; it's a question of knowledge. You also need to be careful how you sign "thank you" to deaf people, since it could easily turn into an insulting gesture. But if you don't know that I don't think that's an indication of your level of intelligence. It's an indication of your learned knowledge of the world. An intelligent person can learn hard concepts, while an unintelligent one can't.

Some people instinctively know not to do things in certain situations without being told, and others need ot be told repeatedly even though they have a high IQ. I know one particular friend of mine with a very high IQ (speed reader and all) and yet, he is socially inept even in spite of being taught how to socialize and reading up on the subject many times; I know girl who has a not-so-high IQ and yet, she excels wonderfully socially and is something that has just always come naturally to her even as a child. In theory, with the speed reading and the extremly high IQ, this guy should be able to excel socially in no time, yet here we are 5 years later, still same ol' socially inept person. Who's the "unintelligent" one here? The answer is "neither."

The problem isn't a person having knowledge or not, the problem is the concept of labeling people as "unintelligent" and having a definitive measure of such. Learning so-called "hard concepts," is not limited to people with high IQ's and having a high IQ doesn't have any bearing on how well you may or may not excel in some subjects; nor does it make people who have greater difficulty learning said hard concepts "unintelligent." Being intelligent again, is not limited to IQ tests and academics.