Do Smart People Think I'm Not Smart?

The perception of intelligence is a complex concept that varies widely. While some individuals possess a high IQ or excel in standardized tests, intelligence transcends mere numbers. Let's explore the nuances of how smart people might perceive you, and why your intelligence is more than just a score.

Perceptions of Intelligence

The idea that a collective of smart individuals holds a uniform opinion about you is a misconception. Not every smart person has encountered you, and their opinions are subjective. It's important to recognize that a single act of foolishness does not define your intelligence. We all make mistakes occasionally. Intelligence is not defined by a single action or moment, but by a series of actions and thoughts.

Snippets from a "Smart” Person

Those who define themselves as "smart" might not be as judgmental as one might assume. However, it's safe to admit that I, as an individual, do occasionally find someone to be unsmart. However, this judgment is usually based on behavior rather than IQ or true intelligence.

Questions like the one you posed suggest underlying issues. These issues may not be related to IQ but could indicate a lack of understanding or overconfidence. Therefore, consider how your actions and behaviors reflect your intelligence rather than relying on popular perceptions.

Types of "Smart" People

Understanding the different types of "smart" people can shed light on how their opinions of you might form. There are two primary categories:

Superiority-Affirming Individuals: These individuals, despite being only above average in IQ, exude confidence and consider themselves superior to others. They may talk down to you or be easily annoyed by you in conversation. True Intellectuals: These individuals are genuinely smart and do not proclaim their intelligence. They recognize that their IQ is only one facet of their overall intelligence and avoid making you feel inferior. However, they may avoid frequent interaction to prevent you from feeling uncomfortable.

It's advisable to ignore the first group. They can be perceived as mental bullies. You might find it challenging to become friends with the second group due to the gap in intelligence. Nonetheless, don't avoid them; at least attempt to build a connection. Maintaining connections with individuals of a higher intellect can be beneficial.

Personal Insights

As a reference point, I have a clinically tested IQ of 148 and scored a 1580 on my SAT. I have met many people as smart or smarter than me, and yet none of them have volunteered their standardized test scores in conversation, even after over 13 years of knowing them. The self-importance of sharing such information is evident. People with high intelligence often understand that such disclosure comes across as shallow.

I go so far as to lie and say I don't know my IQ because I would not personally benefit from disclosing it. This information was shared only to provide a response from a somewhat qualified source. The intent was to avoid non-constructive gain and instead offer valuable insights.

Similar to high economic classes and new money individuals who wear flashy branding, highly intelligent individuals tend to avoid boasting about their intelligence in society. They prefer to let their actions and intelligence speak for themselves, just as the upper-class, old money individuals wear minimal branding on expensive clothes.