How smart are you?

[Brian2]

TLDR: how smart are you? How do you know? Are you naturally smart, or has education been the main reason why you are smart? I have a feeling us denizens of RF are generally smarter than the general population, imo. I'm a genius haha


I used to think I was a genius before I joined this site. Now I'm not so sure. You guys are way more educated than me with my diploma. But my natural intelligence is high.

I took the ASVAB (test to enter the military) while in high school. Four sections make up the overall score, but there are other sections. If you get a 50, that means you did better than 50% of people. My calculated score was a 94, with me scoring perfect 100s on arithmetic reasoning and the paragraph comprehension. Thaf inflated my ego a bit lol.

Public education was a joke to me. Easy peasy.

But since then, I haven't really exercised my brain, other than reading an occasional book. And I've done a lot of stupid stuff since high school, such as drinking. I feel dumber than I used to be. I'm 24 tho, hopefully I have time to turn it around.

So, how smart are you guys? I know most of you guys have degrees and stuff. Do you credit that for how smart you are, or are you just naturally smart, like me?

My intelligence is why I'm so narcissistic sometimes.

I forgot how to use a knife and fork once. I was stoned however.

 

[Gargovic Malkav]

I'm super smart.
My IQ score was off the charts.
It was 60, so that means I'm six times smarter than an extremely highly intelligent person.

 

[Vinayaka]

I'm dumber than dumb.

 

[Mock Turtle]

I'm super smart.
My IQ score was off the charts.
It was 60, so that means I'm six times smarter than an extremely highly intelligent person.

Well, hopefully better than this blunder - between 2:00 - 2:20:

 

[MikeF]

TLDR: how smart are you? How do you know? Are you naturally smart, or has education been the main reason why you are smart? I have a feeling us denizens of RF are generally smarter than the general population, imo. I'm a genius haha


I used to think I was a genius before I joined this site. Now I'm not so sure. You guys are way more educated than me with my diploma. But my natural intelligence is high.

I took the ASVAB (test to enter the military) while in high school. Four sections make up the overall score, but there are other sections. If you get a 50, that means you did better than 50% of people. My calculated score was a 94, with me scoring perfect 100s on arithmetic reasoning and the paragraph comprehension. Thaf inflated my ego a bit lol.

Public education was a joke to me. Easy peasy.

But since then, I haven't really exercised my brain, other than reading an occasional book. And I've done a lot of stupid stuff since high school, such as drinking. I feel dumber than I used to be. I'm 24 tho, hopefully I have time to turn it around.

So, how smart are you guys? I know most of you guys have degrees and stuff. Do you credit that for how smart you are, or are you just naturally smart, like me?

My intelligence is why I'm so narcissistic sometimes.

Unfortunately having high intelligence does not automatically make one immune to bias or cultural programming. Smart people can still get things wrong in all sorts of ways.

To quote Mad-Eye Moody, "Constant vigilance!" We must be ever mindful of succumbing to that which may lead us astray.

 

[Polymath257]

I have a PhD in math and did the coursework and exams for a PhD in physics (no dissertation, though). I like to study the sciences, primarily biology and physics and like to read about history. I've been a research mathematician for the last 36 years.

But there are many, many things about which I am completely ignorant.

Everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects--Will Rogers.

 

[Revoltingest]

 

[Revoltingest]

I've posted before about a friend who was tested
as a child by worried parents. His measured IQ
was 70. Since he is smarter than I am, I figure that
I'm just south of that. If I may be so bold...I'm in the
high 60s (on a good day).

I've never been tested meself. Wouldn't be useful.
If below what I thought, it would disappoint.
If exactly what I thought, then meh...
If higher than I thought, then I'm just a high
potential low achiever, ie, a failure.

 

[MikeF]

I've posted before about a friend who was tested
as a child by worried parents. His IQ was 70.
Since he is smarter than I am, I figure I'm just
south of that. If I may be so bold...in the high
60s (on a good day).

I've never been tested meself. Wouldn't be useful.
If below what I thought, it would disappoint.
If exactly what I thought, then meh...
If higher than I thought, then I'm just a high
potential low achiever, ie, a failure.

I don't think you can make that kind of extrapolation when it comes to IQ testing, or not testing but guessing, in your particular case.

How old was your friend when he was tested and received a score of 70? Where there any associated diagnoses that were used to explain a score of 70? If a leaning disability was involved, had your friend learned coping strategies or drug regimen that mitigated the disability? Has your friend been tested as an adult? What test was used and did it use a non-standard scale?

There could be very valid reasons why an adult with above average intelligence tested with at a 70 IQ as a child.

 

[Revoltingest]

I don't think you can make that kind of extrapolation when it comes to IQ testing, or not testing but guessing, in your particular case.

How old was your friend when he was tested and received a score of 70? Where there any associated diagnoses that were used to explain a score of 70? If a leaning disability was involved, had your friend learned coping strategies or drug regimen that mitigated the disability? Has your friend been tested as an adult? What test was used and did it use a non-standard scale?

There could be very valid reasons why an adult with above average intelligence tested with at a 70 IQ as a child.

It's all moot because the scenarios I listed,
ie, there's no benefit in my being tested.

 

[MikeF]

It's all moot because the scenarios I listed,
ie, there's no benefit in my being tested.

Did your point require the misleading anecdote (in my opinion) in your first paragraph, or could the second paragraph have sufficiently conveyed your point without it?

 

[Revoltingest]

Did your point require the misleading anecdote (in my opinion) in your first paragraph, or could the second paragraph have sufficiently conveyed your point without it?

No misleading in the 1st paragraph.
(Perhaps you just misunderstood.)
The 2nd introduces a new topic.

 

[MikeF]

No misleading in the 1st paragraph.
(Perhaps you just misunderstood.)
The 2nd introduces a new topic.

I agree with the sentiments in the second paragraph at this late stage of my life. I do support educational testing and evaluation in children, if necessary, to identify any issues that can be treated (not necessarily by medication) or accommodated to improve a child's learning experience and success. Those who have given testimonials regarding their dyslexia would be examples of such.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Welp...I dunno how to answer the question 'Am I smart?', so I guess that is your answer.

 

[Bird123]

TLDR: how smart are you? How do you know? Are you naturally smart, or has education been the main reason why you are smart? I have a feeling us denizens of RF are generally smarter than the general population, imo. I'm a genius haha


I used to think I was a genius before I joined this site. Now I'm not so sure. You guys are way more educated than me with my diploma. But my natural intelligence is high.

I took the ASVAB (test to enter the military) while in high school. Four sections make up the overall score, but there are other sections. If you get a 50, that means you did better than 50% of people. My calculated score was a 94, with me scoring perfect 100s on arithmetic reasoning and the paragraph comprehension. Thaf inflated my ego a bit lol.

Public education was a joke to me. Easy peasy.

But since then, I haven't really exercised my brain, other than reading an occasional book. And I've done a lot of stupid stuff since high school, such as drinking. I feel dumber than I used to be. I'm 24 tho, hopefully I have time to turn it around.

So, how smart are you guys? I know most of you guys have degrees and stuff. Do you credit that for how smart you are, or are you just naturally smart, like me?

My intelligence is why I'm so narcissistic sometimes.

I am smart enough to realize that there is more I do not know than I do know.

That's what I see. It's very clear!!

 

[Quagmire]

I'm so smart I have brains I haven't even used yet.

In fact, I can't even remember where I put them.

 

[amorphous_constellation]

I am not really great at math. Intelligence isn't really my strong suit, or really my goal, with learning. I am more about expanding the imagination, if that makes sense. The term intelligence strikes me as something concrete, whereas imagination seems like it can train you to discern reality, fantasy, and it can train you to create. Calculation vs. creation, might be how one might frame these two powers. Imagination, for example, seems to frame the unpredictability of any dynamic human life, but intelligence is about exploring any frozen frame within it

I am a quarter of the way through Hume's book: 'A Treatise on Human Nature,' and if I understand hume, I think he goes into this

 

[The Sum of Awe]

I have amateur level knowledge in many fields, but I wouldn't say I'm an expert at anything.

 

[Wirey]

@Revoltingest is hands down the smartest person here. One time he explained to me how the birds and the bees work. He said "Wirey, see what those two dogs are doing over there? Your Dad does that to your Mom just to see the look on her face." It turned out he was right!

 

[gnomon]

I'm so smart I have brains I haven't even used yet.

In fact, I can't even remember where I put them.

While you are not using mine can I have it back please.