Are you really as smart as you think you are? What makes you think so? Got proof?

I think that I am smart.
My proof – people saying that I am smart (what society considers the correct answer is taken as if it is the correct answer. people say that I am smart, thereby I am smart.)
I am probably not as smart as people think I am, though.

I do all right.

I’m okay, for being out of the box.

But I see my sister in the know it all category. She is great with numbers and computers, but with people, not so much. It’s a bunch of cold, pent-up emotions. Nice mansion. all for show. But where’s the heart?

I am usually told that I underestimate myself. Just when I think I’ve got the answer the world let’s me know what a fool I am.

I’m ok but @Dr_Lawrence is Really smart !! So many on fluther are exceptionally so.

I think I’m average and yep, I’m fairly average. I can memorize songs and talk real pretty- then I’ll find my keys in the fridge after looking for hours and hours

@gemiwing I smiled.

@Aster Thank you for your generous opinion.

People often wonder why I am not doing something more intellectually demanding like astrophysics when they see some of the stuff I do just for fun. (Quick, you got a 185/70R13 tire; write the equation to solve for how many revolutions that tire makes per mile. And with a 3.78 final drive ratio and a third gear of 1.83, how many RPMs will the tachometer register at 65MPH?)

Getting an actual IQ score on me is problematic, though the lowest result I’ve ever got was 118 and the average is around 130–135. More importantly is how I apply what intelligence I have, and in that respect, I have bested many people who officially have IQs 20–50 points higher than mine.

As for the ability to Google and wiki stuff, most of my answers are actually given from memory; most of the time, I only post links so I can show others what is already in my head. Though I do sometimes need a refresher. It’s been >15 years since the decay chain of U-238 was of enough relevance to me to bother keeping it around, so I occasionally forget stuff.

Most of the highly intelligent people I know (myself included) tend to be a bit egotistical, especially if you catch them in their area of expertise. That is a particular problem for me since I have a diverse range of knowledge and skills, and the only thing that really keeps my ass in line here on Fluther is that there are some smart motherfuckers here too.

Hmmm… I always take everything as rational as possible since I believe rationality is the root of intelligence. I don’t really care about the smartness in general but I believe everyone have their own speciality and capacity. I believe IQ is something that is still undefined. Proof? I saw a lot of people faking their studies certificate through illegal ways only to get the job they wanted,in reality they’re not really that smart.

I’m fairly smart although I’ve spent a good portion of my life down playing just how smart. For many years if anyone breathed anything about how smart they thought I was I ran in the other direction. Proof? You’d have to unearth my IQ test from the 7th grade that pushed me into accelerated classes. My mom had an IQ of 155 and I know I’m somewhere around that number.

I know my IQ is in the 99.5th percentile which is way above the standards for Mensa.
My academic record speaks for itself.

I know some brilliant people who have no higher education but know a little about many things. I enjoy talking to them.

I try not to act like an intellectual snob.

Numbers and statistics indicate that I’m actually far more intelligent than I think I am…

@Dr_Lawrence I think we’re all lucky to have an intellectual snob on fluther. You’re so, so….civilized ! you’ll never catch Dr L with a toothpick in his mouth

@zenele Shut it, dumbo!

:-)

I believe myself to be infinitely more intelligent than I actually am. Obviously, I can’t prove that I am as smart as I think I am, but I do know that my IQ is a number.

Smart? There’s so many kinds of smart that I can’t lie and say that I’m “objectively” smart. How utterly presumptuous of me that would be.

<<< Has a toothpick in his mouth at all times.

Kids always teased me for being “teacher’s pet” and I got straight A’s in school. Mostly I think of the ways I’m not very smart, so I can’t really answer the rest of your questions.

Great question. Anyone who is actually truly smart is aware of how little they know. Boastfulness and self aggrandizement is inconsistent with true intellectual prowess, and is also a sign of a complete paucity of wisdom. Even a relative dummy like me is smart enough to realize that.

Even if Carl Sagan (RIP, I love you man) claimed to be smart, some people would still call him an elitist asshole. I’m not smart so I can’t determine, but there is probaly smart people that become arrogant, and smart people that are humble.

We claim that braggers are just doing for compensation, but what do we say to smart people that still brag? Either way, in my opinion, a truly smart person will not brag. But even more young people that are smarter than their average age group will of course feel they are ‘better’. Maybe it is just young people that do that.

Regarding the people you speak of, I am guessing they are overcompensating.

^ Well said.

The power of intelligence is less important than the perspectives intelligence utilizes.

It can take a bundle of explosives to cause an avalanche, or a single timely snowflake.

Now, if a smarter person could take that perspective of mine and make it more articulate, more concise and influential, we’d have something nicer. But at least I’m in the position to have it at all; where it seems to me most “gifted” people are stuck either in an abyss of meaningless numbers, or up their own asses.

I act like a know it all, but I’ve long learned to question everything, including my own opinions, thoughts and logic. I won’t act like it; but I honestly do. I don’t think I’m smart at all, but I am street wise.
Proof; if I wasn’t, I’d be dead a long time ago. I’m also a pretty angry and cynical person, and I suspect this may have an effect in the way I treat others in this subject, which is probbaly not good, but even if I try to do anything about it or willingly admit my wrongs, I just end up painting over it forty minutes later.

@zophu: “it seems to me most ‘gifted’ people are stuck either in an abyss of meaningless numbers, or up their own asses.”

Each number is profoundly meaningful in its own special way, but one must get to know it very well before this meaning becomes apparent. I suggest instead: “a ‘gifted’ person is stuck in the abyss of his own meaningless ass.”

@ratboy I didn’t mean to disrespect numbers, just self-indulgent mathematicians who’s assumed significance could be mimicked if not replaced by computers. Sorry.

Why is there such hostility towards intelligent people. Most of the ones I know and humble, decent people who eagerly invest their time in helping others with little concern for fame or rewards.

The common anti-intellectual speech is typically a way to pander to average people who feel their needs and interest have been overlooked. The tea partiers and Sarah Palin seem to be encouraging this kind of “hate the intelligent” agenda as if such people as out stealing things from the common man or woman.

Do capable people need to hide their abilities under a bushel basket to avoid wild accusations such as “it seems to me most ‘gifted’ people are stuck either in an abyss of meaningless numbers, or up their own asses.”

@Dr_Lawrence There are the alpha-nerds. Those that take specific strengths in their intelligence and isolate them primarily to use as leverage against other people. Then there are exceptionally intelligent people who just don’t apply their strengths well because they lack the philosophy that would allow them to do so, (i.e. insulated mathematicians, non-humanitarian scientists, etc..)

Other than that, smart people are awesome. It’s too bad the more well-balanced ones are targeted by the education systems so invasively. They get indoctrinated real fast into the norm and rarely get the chance to develop deviant ideals that might bring about greatly beneficial change. They get so supported they just go with the flow. And help invent the nuclear bomb or something.

I wonder what our living systems would be like if their efficiency in serving us (instead of containing us) were a scientific priority.

@zophu There certainly has been much misguided research that has been done by very bright people who were virtually captured by the military industries and pushed into work that wasted their potential to do things beneficial to humankind. The use of fear and the wielding of dire threats are the tools used to commandeer bright minds into working on horrible and wasteful goals.

I think it’s mostly a matter of perception. I know some really intelligent people who couldn’t make their way out of a paper bag. And some people with low IQ who always seem to know how to adapt and navigate through life.
They may be both intelligent but both lack something. Its a rare find to find someone who can do it all. Those people are usually labeled as just plain normal.

I scored 140ish on an IQ test I had when I was 12. I’ve been in numerous honor societies. My 6th grade science teacher let me teach her class for her, and I scored a full ride scholarship to one of the toughest, most prestigious colleges in my region.

That said, I don’t think I’m any damn better than anyone. I do know how to do alot of things- I’m very skilled in many technical areas, and I can spew trivia about any historical event you can think of. I do, however, have a bit of emotional baggage.

The bottom line is that I know when to admit I’m wrong, though.

I used to think I was smart, but since leaving high school I feel like my intelligence is slowly deteriorating lol. I find it hard to articulate what I want to say, like I’ll stutter and struggle to find the right words, which makes me feel really stupid. But in my head and in my thoughts I feel I’m pretty intelligent. I really don’t know.

@TooBlue Some forms of Autism allow for impaired communication while retaining a superior intellect, and certain other afflictions can likewise make one unable to communicate effectively even if they can think straight; dyslexia and Cerebral Palsy are two that come to mind immediately.

@zophu The power of intelligence is less important than the perspectives intelligence utilizes. It can take a bundle of explosives to cause an avalanche, or a single timely snowflake.

That was great!

I was on television because I was so smart.

C.O.P.S doesn’t count as being on television. Just saying.
~

It was a quiz show. Is Cops an acronym for something? I just thought the title was Cops, like “hey, lets watch cops arrest drunk hillbillies.”

^ – I wasn’t trying to be funny, twice that is. I just mistakenly wrote is as an acronym. I always thought it was like C.H.I.P.S – but then I haven’t seen it in ages. Sorry. No offence intended, you win some you lose some in the cynical one-liner game, n’est ce pas?

Lurve.

I think I am pretty sharp, but have my weaknesses of course.

As always some eccentricities go with brightness.

I excel in creative endeavors, possess a witty good humor, am strong in money matters, language command, certain writing venues, psychologically sound..but…being a free spirited, self employed person exacts struggles with self discipline.

Hmmm…pay bills right now or go out in the sun and feed the mules corn muffins? Mules win! lol