Do you know someone who is smarter than you are, and how do you feel about that

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   MarieLBposted 8 years ago

   Do you know someone who is smarter than you are, and how do you feel about that person?
   
   EG:-  You find yourself saying things like "She thinks she knows everything".  In your head you hear the corollary "She DOES know everything and that is why she is so annoying."

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   fpherj48posted 8 years ago

   I know MANY people whom I can easily say are apparently smarter than I am.  I'm sure we all have our areas of expertise, but it seems you're referring to general I.Q.  Without knowing the actual score of one's I.Q., we can still come to a reasonable conclusion about a person's level of intelligence.
   
   I admire bright, talented & innovative people.  The smarter someone is, the more I am inclined to associate with them or want to get more acquainted.  It can only be a bonus for each of us to learn from one another.  Spending time with "brainiacs" is fun and fascinating.  I enjoy picking brains..LOL 
   
   I don't find that extremely smart people are any more or less "annoying" than those of lesser intelligence.  This would be more about their demeanor and personality. 
   
   I guess we can all be annoying at times.  That's for others to determine.  I'll just say, I'd rather be annoyed by someone who has a lot of knowledge to share than some dummie who can barely carry on an interesting conversation.

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      gmwilliamsposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I happen to LOVE people who are smarter/more intelligent than I am.  I can LEARN from them.  Also intelligent/smart people are FUN to be with-interesting conversation.  It is the less intelligent/apt people who UNNERVE me.

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   gmwilliamsposted 8 years ago

   
   
   Sadly, there are some people who are quite threatened by people who are more intelligent than they are.  They have that disease called envy.  There are unevolved people who are quite envious of others.  These are people who want to remain on top so to speak.  These are also the very same people who surround themselves with people who they deem are less qualified educationally & intellectually than they are.  They are very unnerved at those who are MORE educationally & intellectually than they are.
   
   They are the types who call people stupid although the latter are oftentimes more intelligent than they are.  They are the ones who consistently brag about their qualities while simultaneously refusing to give anyone else credit for being intelligent.  They are the ones who are highly critical, even perfectionistic because they subconsciously know that they are somehow missing the mark.  They are the ones who are very hesitant of praising others because they believe it will take away from them in one way or another.  They will resort to criticism of those considered to be more intelligent, even extremely intelligent in order to elevate themselves.
   
   For example, parents who are threatened by their children who are more intelligent because they know that the latter will have opportunities that they never will have.  So they sabotage their children at every turn, criticizing & slowly demolishing their children's precious self-esteem.  These are the type of parents who refuse to see anything noteworthy about their children although their children are highly prodigious.  They will instead denigrate them at almost every turn.  Such parents are even called soul devourers, or worse soul destroyers.
   
   There are bosses who are threatened by employees who are more intelligent than they are.  They are the ones who will make that employee's work life as difficult as possible.  They will even discredit the employee or give him/her a worst rating in order to attempt to ruin that employee's promotional opportunities.   They may even create a highly toxic work atmosphere in order to get him/her to resign. 
   
   Yes, people can be quite venomous towards those who they see as more intelligent than they are.  People are more comfortable with those at their own intelligence level.  Some may be even more comfortable with those at a slightly lower intelligence level.  People are quite disconcerted with those who are different than they are.  People want sameness in terms of group identity.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      It is an interesting view gmwilliams, albeit a sad one.  I believe fear can lead one to see that way.  Thank you for giving us your view.

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   tsmogposted 8 years ago

   I have to giggle + giggle because where I formerly worked a couple co-workers always called me a brainiac. I laugh because it was in regard to using Excel. I knew about 9 inches compared to the mile of information available to be learned. They just knew 4 - 5, so I seemed to be a wiz.
   
   With the description I find at times I am approached with that theme. But, really I again know this much of a lot of stuff and not much of many things. It is perception. I just read all the time, but only a little to get a big-picture or one or two details of a lot of stuff. Beyond that I dun'no most of the time with great depth.
   
   A personal sentiment is I feel there is a difference between being smart and being intellectual with something. Big Difference!!! I know many people who are much more wise with street smarts than I am. I am a clutz when it comes to cultural matters like etiquette, manners, and interactions too. I have come close to getting my butt kicked a time or two or asked to leave to a function. :-) Thus, I am wallflower.
   
   I may know more about Excel so math and logic, English language usage since I am a learner here, and maybe a few subjects I have followed for years. Yet, not know anything about finding or knowing the best deal for this or that and where they are. Which will affect my pocket book more, so who is 'smarter'?
   
   I can easily relate to people quickly about cars as that was my 40 year career from pumping gas to a corporate head. I have smarts and intelligence in that area, but how many people I encounter in a parking lot with a problem would know that when I say just do this and that and it will be fine. With a casual attitude it may cause one to be annoyed with how easy the solution was. After all we all drive cars right?

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Tim Mitchell, I could relate to so much that you said here.  I often get called an "expert" on computer-ware, just for the same reason as you.  I know a bit more, but not a whole lot more.  And Tim, any time you're a wall flower, call me!

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   Express10posted 8 years ago

   I have found that most often those who are truly smart/skilled/knowledgeable walk softly and carry a big stick (their brains & a positive demeanor) whereas the fakes scream for attention, rewards, status, perks, etc. I feel good about these people and I want to learn from them in whatever their expertise is. I have been in the presence of greatness enough to understand who the real ones are and who are the fakes.
   I've always been this way without thinking or saying negative things about them whether to myself or others. However, if a fake is screaming for attention I might not with hold negative but truthful observations of them if they interfere with the sharing of knowledge or are putting incorrect information out.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Astute observation Express 10 and one that honors you and the others.  You have a healthy self-respect,that makes for real relationships. Thank you for sharing and my apologies for taking so long to write this. Sometimes the reply 'stays' in my head.

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   dashingscorpioposted 8 years ago

   One adage:
   "If you're the smartest person in the room it's time to move on."
   Only one's (ego) would cause them to resent people who are smarter, more talented, or more successful then they are.
   The truth is we need to be around people who are better than us in a variety of ways in order to fuel our own personal growth!
   Life is about learning and evolving.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How very true dashingscorpio. If we had any sense, we would seek out those who are smarter, or better in any way.  You have got it right, in a nutshell.  Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

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      Express10posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree.

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   Stephen Kaluposted 8 years ago

   Its quite nice knowing someone is smarter than you are. To be honest with you all, i feel good about it and i do see it as an opportunity to learn more and he or she will make me know that there is more to what i already know. So i feel good about it but the funny question here is what if am far older than the person?

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you for joining in the dicussion stephen kalu.  You have raised such an interesting point there.  Do adults feel over-awed in the presence of a child who displays more knowledge or more wisdom?

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   silkwormyposted 8 years ago

   Yes. I keep in mind names of smart people I actually admire until now. I am glad they exist.
   
   I also keep in mind those whom I found smart, cheered for them, praised them around others, but apparently I didn't admire them for long. I was devastated their being smart got into their critical heads, filthy mouth, blocked ears, thick skins, and stoned hearts. Like saying, "I'm smarter than the teacher," or "I don't think you can do it," or "I'm smarter than you are so shut up!"
   
   I don't aim to be smarter than them because I know I can also be good, better, and best at something. They are smart, yes, but they are imperfect. I mean, it's impossible they know and can do everything. That's out of this world. It is just the comparison we make between ourselves and them that give them that privilege of being and looking smarter.
   
   Real smart people are generous in complimenting others, honest in admitting their faults without the fear of looking bad. Real smart people came from the rock bottom and up and never forgetting why and how they got there. They are up there but they go down to lift others up, too.
   
   Fake ones are very much the opposite. They are up there, looking down, looking down and stepping on others.
   
   At some point, I have realized, too, those who are not that educated, are smarter than the educated, in many small ways, especially in their character and attitude. Yes.
   
   Take care, MarieLB.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Sorry to hear that you’ve been hurt by some nasty ones Chelle. Read Express10; s/he brushed them off easily. You need to do the same. Real clever people do not need to show off.  We are all smart in some ways. Believe in yourself. Thank for sharing.

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      silkwormyposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, too.

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   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   High intelligence does not equal well read or broadly experienced. It is very annoying for someone to say because they are very smart and excel in one area, whether chess or medicine, that they can and should now be trusted to make decisions for others in other unrelated areas.
   I want a smart and qualified doctor for medical problems, but no matter his intelligence or expertise in medicine is he qualified to give me investing or legal advice.
   Nor is a chess champion necessarily qualified to say how society as a whole should be run.
   Smart people don't know everything and shouldn't be assumed to be experts in all areas because they have expertise in one area. In fact, those who try to go to far out of their field should be told not to.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      So true Tamara. Each is blessed with at least one area that we excel in.  Best share that and accept what others share with us.  Very well said. Thank you for adding your valuable insight.

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    MarieLBposted 8 years ago

    Thank you ALL for very interesting replies.  I do so love to read the way each one of us has a different view on any of these questions.  Thanks again for taking the time.  This is now CLOSED.

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