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If you're the smartest person in the room...

I'm thinking of the know-it-alls who always have to have "the answer."

(and something I've been guilty myself of at one time or another)

bleurowz 8 July 27
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15 comments

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1

Level 4

In my experience the smartest person in the room is the one listening and asking questions. The loud, intrusive one may appear smart but in reality is a narcissist. So, tell me what you think, I am listening. 😉

Yes.
1

Level 8

What an insult! I am the only one in the house! 😛

@irascible
Should we throw pity parties on separate blocks so we don't get embarrassed? 🙂
1

Level 4

Is everyone really intelligent here, or it just me?

1

Level 7

Oh god, I agree with this so hard!

d_day Level 7 July 27, 2018
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1

Level 8

I always try to make friends that are smarter than me. I can hold my own in any conversation, but I always seem to learn something from them.

1

Level 9

Had somebody mentioned god yet? Darn somebody mentioned church so close enough!!!!

Those are some of the worst kind of know-it-alls!
3

Level 7

Go to a party full of neuroscientists in Cambridge. Certainly teaches a bit of intellectual humility.

I'm thinking of the TV show The Big Bang Theory. Do you get that in the UK?

@bleurowz Yup. I'd have felt like Penny, but I'd been a subject in enough of my ex's studies to not get completely lost when they started 'talking shop'. Plus, I used to proof-read her papers, because when she really got going, she'd forget all those connectives like 'and', 'to' and 'the' that make sentences actually make sense.
1

Level 7

Not the smartest but I just know everyone else is just dumberer !!

Simon1 Level 7 July 27, 2018
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3

Level 7

If you think you are the smartest in the room you definitely are not the smartest in the room but probably the most arrogant

I was invited to join Intertel . I was tested and the results are that I am in the top 1%. In other words , given a generic room full of a hundred people , statistically speaking , yes , I would be the smartest in the room . That is the definition of being in the top 1 % . It's not a matter of arrogance , it's a matter of being able to repeatedly pass the tests .

@maxhyde Yup.

@Cast1es In that way, this wouldn't apply. That's something to be proud of.
2

Level 9

No matter how smart you are , there's always more you can learn . Just because you're educated in a few areas , doesn't mean you know everything there is to know , about everything there is to know anything about . Unfortunately , there are not always rooms with smarter people available . It's easy to write , to contribute to these forums , but when you're in a room it seems it's always the dumb ones who dominate the conversation . That leaves three choices : 1. Sit there with your mouth shut , even when they're rattling on about things that make no sense whatsoever . 2. Send your mind elsewhere. 3. Get up and leave nearly every social gathering you're likely to be in . What seems be a common thread among the higher IQ folks , is that we don't fit in .
This is very true . People are very opinionated . They seldom deal with knowledge or logic . And they don't want to hear anything other than what they believe .

@Golden
Same here. When faced with social engagements, I tend to get an urge to go for a late night walk and let my mind drift instead of listen to banal conversations about childrens' antics, problems with their new car, or problems with bowel movements.

True. The smart people know that they don't know everything.
2

Level 8

What room are we stable geniuses in?

*Unfortunately it's the Oval one right now.

Ha! Oh yes, the "stable genius."
3

Level 8

Somebody has to do it.

2

Level 8

Same goes if you're an asshole.

Haha!

What if you're a nice asshole? ( Your description ) ☺

Or a smart asshole...?

You just don't want to be the Principle.
1

Level 8

Ahhh !! Good one ??

4

Level 6

I think you misunderstand the meaning of this phrase.

If you're the smartest person in the room, find another room, so you can continue to learn and challenge yourself.

This is how I interpret it as well!

Yep, big issue for me. 'Swhy I come here, to talk about philosophies and big ideas and stuff. Anti-intellectualism really gets me down. I can't seem to find any "rooms" IRL that will have me (without hellacious side-eye and cold resentment). Online it is!

@stinkeye_a feeling this too!

True. But I interpret that as, that would be the truly smart person's response, because they would realize they're in the wrong room. The person who just THINKS they're smart would stay and try to teach everybody!

@bleurowz
Well your interpretation is flawed, the decision to leave and further yourself or stay further others is not decided by intelligence, but by personal motivations

@x0lineage0x Your call.
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