What would you say are the characteristics of very smart people?

[Anonymous]

Sarcasm is, IMO, the quickest way to identify a smart person. A very smart person, not just a regular smart person.
It is annoying to others though.
Not sarcasm like "sweetie, honey.." no that is a sign of stupidity or pole that do not know how to respond.
They are also annoying very annoying. The very smart people, not just a bit smart.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Serial posters on DCUM

Nope. We're dumb.

I would say the ones who start threads that gather in thousands of views not the random weird hater who is defensive over her fatness

You're one of the smart ones, aren't you?

[Anonymous]

The ability to explain complex concepts to non-experts in a clear and accessible fashion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually, they are low key, not the self aggrandizing type. Maybe they get bored easily with activities normal people enjoy like small talk, tv shows, movies, novels. Like ok, Tina sees Bob. Tina talks to Bob. Tina has a secret past. Oh gee wiz, what will it be! Oh wow Tina and Bob, I love that brand of furniture. Oh Tina and Bob, you're going to Florida next week, oh wow sounds so mind blowing. Exhausting.

You haven’t seen smart people discuss furniture brands?

Furniture has brands?

Are you trying to quibble with my grammar here or do you just not know that there are many brands of furniture? Or something else? I’m confused.

I see you are "on the spectrum." I apologize for not annotating my post with colorful emojis.

[Anonymous]

I was just thinking of this this morning as I met another mon at a kid event that looked very trophy wife, sahm material. However, when we chatted for a brief minute, I noticed an intensity in her eye contact and just a vibe of really listening to what I had to say, like she was obviously processing the information in an intelligent way. (Not to say that sahm s are not smart, just that they typically are more frazzled and the steady eye contact and moment to process would be less common).

Upon later conversation and then me eventually googling her, it came out that she is an Ivy League educated, highly trained, specialized physician. You would have never know this by how she dressed but her engagement IMO was a tell that she was intelligent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sarcasm is, IMO, the quickest way to identify a smart person. A very smart person, not just a regular smart person.
It is annoying to others though.
Not sarcasm like "sweetie, honey.." no that is a sign of stupidity or pole that do not know how to respond.
They are also annoying very annoying. The very smart people, not just a bit smart.

I don’t agree that sarcasm is a sign of intelligence. Often it’s a crutch for ignorance, resentment, or insecurity. If you don’t agree with something, explain why in a clear, accessible manner.

[Anonymous]

The brilliant people I know show these traits: Constantly thinking and asking questions about topics that are not necessarily of general interest. Thinking outside the box and coming up with new and creative solutions to problems, as in unconventional thinking. Wicked sense of humor. Insightful comments about current events that make complicated subjects suddenly seem clear and simple. Something I’ve learned from raising kids is that the smartest people are not necessarily the best students. They are often bored by traditional rotes of school and may not have the discipline or maturity to be a “good student”.

[Anonymous]

Generally spacey/ seem in their own mind but when they make a comment it's super insightful. Although they dont seem to seek out the spotlight or want to "win" by making the most intelligent comment, but just seem to come out with these random, genius bursts of insight. That seems to sum up every incredibly intelligent person I've interacted with

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Sarcasm is, IMO, the quickest way to identify a smart person. A very smart person, not just a regular smart person.
It is annoying to others though.
Not sarcasm like "sweetie, honey.." no that is a sign of stupidity or pole that do not know how to respond.
They are also annoying very annoying. The very smart people, not just a bit smart.

I don’t agree that sarcasm is a sign of intelligence. Often it’s a crutch for ignorance, resentment, or insecurity. If you don’t agree with something, explain why in a clear, accessible manner.

+1. I often see sarcasm displayed by people who are generally passive aggressive or have issues with narcissism, so I take it as more of a red flag than anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was just thinking of this this morning as I met another mon at a kid event that looked very trophy wife, sahm material. However, when we chatted for a brief minute, I noticed an intensity in her eye contact and just a vibe of really listening to what I had to say, like she was obviously processing the information in an intelligent way. (Not to say that sahm s are not smart, just that they typically are more frazzled and the steady eye contact and moment to process would be less common).

Upon later conversation and then me eventually googling her, it came out that she is an Ivy League educated, highly trained, specialized physician. You would have never know this by how she dressed but her engagement IMO was a tell that she was intelligent.

My cuzzo is a young attractive orthopedic surgeon. Wouldn't say she is the smartest but the most ambitious. Her mom is a tiger.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Truly bright people are never bored. The most brilliant man I ever knew once admitted that he doesn’t even know what boredom feels like. He said he could always think so how could he be bored.

I have no idea what boredom or loneliness feels like. And I say that as someone who, at nearly 50, has never had a career or a long term relationship.
I understand that most people are more social than I am, so I can appreciate loneliness, but I have never been able to understand how anyone could ever be bored. I’ve gone YEARS of not working or seeing anyone and there is still never enough time to learn, read, explore and experience all that I want to, even in my own neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually, they are low key, not the self aggrandizing type. Maybe they get bored easily with activities normal people enjoy like small talk, tv shows, movies, novels. Like ok, Tina sees Bob. Tina talks to Bob. Tina has a secret past. Oh gee wiz, what will it be! Oh wow Tina and Bob, I love that brand of furniture. Oh Tina and Bob, you're going to Florida next week, oh wow sounds so mind blowing. Exhausting.

You haven’t seen smart people discuss furniture brands?

Furniture has brands?

Are you trying to quibble with my grammar here or do you just not know that there are many brands of furniture? Or something else? I’m confused.

I see you are "on the spectrum." I apologize for not annotating my post with colorful emojis.

Lol you are so weird. I forget how odd people can be!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually, they are low key, not the self aggrandizing type. Maybe they get bored easily with activities normal people enjoy like small talk, tv shows, movies, novels. Like ok, Tina sees Bob. Tina talks to Bob. Tina has a secret past. Oh gee wiz, what will it be! Oh wow Tina and Bob, I love that brand of furniture. Oh Tina and Bob, you're going to Florida next week, oh wow sounds so mind blowing. Exhausting.

You haven’t seen smart people discuss furniture brands?

Wait. That whole hypothetical exchange in PP’s head wasn’t about Bob’s discount furniture?!

Sigh. Now I gotta start alllllll over again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually, they are low key, not the self aggrandizing type. Maybe they get bored easily with activities normal people enjoy like small talk, tv shows, movies, novels. Like ok, Tina sees Bob. Tina talks to Bob. Tina has a secret past. Oh gee wiz, what will it be! Oh wow Tina and Bob, I love that brand of furniture. Oh Tina and Bob, you're going to Florida next week, oh wow sounds so mind blowing. Exhausting.

You haven’t seen smart people discuss furniture brands?

Furniture has brands?

Bob’s is definitely a brand!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Funny and quick witted. Clever.

Good recall on information and weaving it back into the conversation when relevant. Connecting the dots easily and quickly.

Excellent ability to concisely and accurately summarize disparate threads of a conversation and tee up decision points in a meandering group conversation. (This is a work thing.)

And then there is the traditional academic stuff - very good at math on the fly, etc.

Interesting. You think the bolded is a relatively rare skill? I don’t disagree but I’ve never thought about it this way.

Agree that I highly appreciate this when people do it.

Around all the old hens at my Sunday dinner table, it is a rare and deeply respected skill. LOL!