Does Someone You Know Do This?
Intelligence isn’t always determined by how much money you earn, how many degrees you have, or how quickly you can speak. In fact, some habits that many people believe to be indicative of a high level of intelligence can actually be the exact opposite. With that in mind, here are 20 things people often do that indicate low intelligence.
1. Luck
Most people attribute extreme wealth to extreme intelligence. Most of the extremely wealthy got lucky, hit a sweet spot, or simply were at the right place at the right time, rather than being phenomenally intelligent. Believing that someone is truly smart just because they are filthy rich is a severe misunderstanding of probability and subtlety.
2. Chess
Mastering chess requires excellent memorization and strategic thinking specific to that game, yet this does not necessarily correlate with high overall intelligence. Memorizing openings, tactics, and patterns isn't an indicator of creativity or problem-solving ability in other situations.
3. Speaking with Certainty
Arrogant people who pose as experts without having the knowledge are often conflating confidence with intelligence. Intelligence is the awareness of what you don't know and the courage to question assumptions. When you have overconfidence without understanding, it's a warning sign of a lack of critical thinking.
4. Big Words
Using overly complex words can be a sign of insecurity and a lack of intelligence. Genuine intelligence and wisdom are expressed in clear and effective communication. There is no need to use unnecessary jargon to impress people.
5. Classical Music
Classical music is quite sophisticated, but that does not make listening to it nonstop synonymous with intelligence. The genre of music you like does not mean you have the intelligence to reason or think. A person's intelligence should be determined by how they think and act.
6. Confidence
Overconfidence is a symptom of not knowing something or not understanding something. Smart people tend to be confident without being arrogant, and self-aware at the same time. Unthinking confidence in yourself is a sign of thoughtless judgment.
7. Memory
Memorization is a valuable ability, but it doesn't necessarily reflect intelligence. Intelligence involves processing information, making connections, and using knowledge. A person with a photographic memory but poor judgment or problem-solving skills may not be intelligent.
8. A Degree
Getting a degree demonstrates commitment, but it's not an intelligence metric. Degrees may emphasize memorization over problem-solving, and intelligence isn't confined to academia. Equating a diploma with intellect overlooks other valuable forms of intelligence.
9. Unsolicited Advice
Constant lecturing to others, rather than listening, is the ego trumping one's overestimation of comprehension. Wisdom is inclusive of perspective, empathy, and nuance, not merely opinion projection. This behavior is a symptom of inflated self-importance more than intelligence.
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10. Corporate Job
Working for a corporation and making a high salary typically requires ambition, stick-to-itiveness, or networking, rather than intelligence. Corporate performance may be more based on being a conformist and following rules than on original or independent thinking. It's a myth that income is intelligence.
11. Money and Success
Intelligence, while it can help you make money or be successful, is not necessary at all. A lot of rich or successful people get by on luck, being in the right place at the right time, or having the right social skills. Thinking that being rich is the same as being smart is one of the most absurd but common fallacies, as it disregards logic and other reasoning.
12. Trivia
Memorizing things to drop knowledge bombs in everyday conversations is often confused with being a very intelligent person. Knowing facts isn't synonymous with high-level intelligence or being able to reason with facts. Those that think memorizing is being smart are way overestimating IQ.
13. Glasses
The extent to which a person wears glasses is not directly related to their intellectual capacity. The notion that glasses might be associated with intelligence is a stereotype. The need for eyewear is a physical necessity, not a reflection of one's cognitive capabilities.
14. Grammar
Demanding proper grammar when the meaning is already obvious is insecurity, not cleverness. Intelligence is how you reason, not whether you use the semicolon.
15. Mentioning IQ
Boasting about your IQ score shows an over-dependence on a reductive metric to validate intelligence. Intelligence is proven through critical thinking, creativity, and flexibility, not a single number. Those who frequently reference IQ likely make up for it with a paucity of substantive cognitive accomplishments.
16. Opinions
Pushing an opinion on every subject is a demonstration of insecurity, not intelligence. Smart people know when to talk, when to listen, and when to say they don't know. This overwhelming outpouring of opinion is usually shallow understanding, not deep.
17. Talking Fast
Rambling by speaking very quickly and trying to impart a great deal of mostly irrelevant information can give the impression of intelligence, but it is counterproductive to understanding and clarity. Communication of ideas is an aspect of intelligence, not volume of words. This trait is often associated with insecurity or overcompensation.
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18. Constantly Contradicting
Nitpicking to disagree with everyone isn't a sign of intelligence; it's more about wanting to seem smart or in control. Being analytical, sure, but it also requires contextual awareness and subtlety. Constant contrariness can isolate you and highlight poor social judgment.
19. Writing a Book
Publishing a book doesn't make you an expert or smart. Anyone can write a book and self-publish. It doesn't mean you know anything, or did research, or used critical thinking. Credentials need to be considered past the title of "author" to separate true knowledge from frills.
20. Irrational Emotions
Assuming that feelings are inherently illogical and that being unemotional is the epitome of being smart is an oversimplification of human intellect. Emotional intelligence, which includes the ability to comprehend, regulate, and incorporate emotions, is an essential facet of intelligence. Disregarding emotions can result in flawed decision-making and demonstrates a limited understanding of intelligence.
