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AMA

I am highly intelligent, ask me anything

858 replies

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 09:01

Using standard IQ scales/assessments I am highly intelligent. I have also done some research into high intelligence. Being highly intelligent has advantages and drawbacks. Ask me anything :-)

(Just to preempt some comments: No, I don’t think intelligent people are better human beings than other people. I think qualities such as being kind are more important for example. No, intelligent people are not always ‘better for society’, there is some evidence, for example, that really highly intelligent people carry out proportionally somewhat more crimes (white collar). No, I don’t look down on less intelligent people (sometimes I envy them), but it can obviously be a bit difficult to connect if you have very different frames of reference. No, intelligence does not have any direct links to social skills (positive or negative).)

OP posts:
likeafishneedsabike · 22/02/2026 13:55

babylone · 22/02/2026 09:19

What advice would you give to a mum with a (potentially) highly intelligent child ?
my child has not had an IQ test but teachers and friends and fanily have always commented on how smart he is and what an extraordinary memory he has - from when he was very young. One math teacher even rang me once to say that he doesnt make calls like this usually but my son gave him an answer to a problem in class that no-one his age would be able to get. The teacher said my son was one in a million.
teenage years are proving difficult, he is almost 16 now. Very little friendships, on the pathway for an autism assessment, self harming and under camhs. Camhs is saying the self harm is a (very unhelpful) way to find new experiences as he is bored intellectually (sorry if i am explaining this badly, im clearly not as smart as my son!!). We are trying to find helpful ways to challenge him intellectually and at the moment this is through independent cinema! And experimental music.
Although he aces maths and sciences - because it comes easily to him - he finds the rest of the subjects hard. I think he gives up far too easily on things he is not good at. If he can’t work it out by himself, then he is not going to open a book to read about it. Any advice appreciated.

So he’s having to do GCSEs in a load of subjects that he’s not actually good at? But will score 9 on everything Maths and Science related?

Soontobe60 · 22/02/2026 13:57

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 11:38

Ah, interesting. So you think being intelligent means that you have to read up on everything (everything you think is important) and have a view on everything? I'd say the opposite - we'd get further if not everyone was expected to learn everything and that we could rely on each other to know things/tell us things.

You say you work in academia so I cannot believe the whole Gender Identity issue has passed you by. At the very least you will have been swamped with in-house EDI policies where you’re supposed to agree that TWAW, you’ll be teaching students who think they’re the opposite sex (nor no sex), and the news is full of all the latest court cases, not least the Supreme Court ruling on the definition of ‘woman’.
As a highly intelligent person, do you not agree that you may hold opinions on myriad issues before you’ve read up on / listened to / spoken with a range of people on those issues?

ArtesianWater · 22/02/2026 13:58

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 13:00

Another hobby diagnosis (just as an example, for people who questioned it).

If you read research on intelligence, it is common for people to feel impatient, frustrated and bored.

This is very relative to context though. Based on your descriptions, I am also 'highly intelligent' in that I consistently perform in the 98th+ percentile of a general population on well-validated intelligence tests, got into MENSA, have two master's degrees from top UK institutions, etc. etc. But now I work in a professional environment where that is table stakes and I am squarely in the middle of the pack. It's humbling and I don't see myself as anything special - nor do I get bored because I have to keep up all the time. The real outliers are the ones who smash it relative to that peer group and I think it has very few drawbacks for them. I think the important thing is person-environment fit when it comes to happiness.

I also studied intelligence as part of one of my degrees and it's an interesting subject. The academic concept that is well-researched is 'General Intelligence / GI' rather than IQ. It's true that it is positively correlated with a lot of desirable life outcomes, although obviously it's not the only thing that matters. For the poster that was interested, it is also correlated with women having children later / fewer children overall.

Artificial GI is also the thing that different countries are racing to create and that will be the real turning point in the AI revolution.

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 13:59

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 22/02/2026 13:55

As someone with a Mensa level IQ I am rolling my eyes so hard at this thread it’s probably audible.
I work in financial services where the majority of my colleagues have at least one degree, most of us will have postgraduate and professional qualifications too, and are in the top 10% of earners. Plenty are top 5% or above. I work with many of people who speak and have studied in more than one language.
You know what, we are all just people. We talk about sports, our children, holidays etc. We don’t have highly intellectual conversations about the meaning of life. If there is a problem that needs solving people get to a solution quickly.

What actually counts is not the ability to get things quickly or see solutions others don’t but the ability to get on with it and turn theory into practice. In the real world often practical intelligence well implemented trumps theoretical and intellectual exercises. Thinking of a cure for cancer is not as important as actually developing and implementing it.

Sometimes high intelligence can make you an intellectual butterfly flitting from one bright interesting thing to the next without ever truly achieving in any of them.

My answer to the giraffe question is that they wear the ties at the collar level by the base of their shoulders. Following a frustrating foray into clip on ties that didn’t hold well on their coats and kept getting knocked off, they developed a new approach. After extensive negotiations, giraffes entered into a symbiotic relationship with vervet monkeys who manage the sartorial duties in return for transport and lookout services from the giraffes.

Edited

I agree with your comments about 'You know what, we are all just people. We talk about sports, our children, holidays etc. We don’t have highly intellectual conversations about the meaning of life. If there is a problem that needs solving people get to a solution quickly.'

I don't think I am dissimilar. One thread about one aspect of me does not say anything about what I spend most of my time doing. But it seems that many people have drawn conclusions about me that this is the only thing I think about. I can't do much about that.

"Sometimes high intelligence can make you an intellectual butterfly flitting from one bright interesting thing to the next without ever truly achieving in any of them."

Agree. That is definitely a problem if you are interested in and find many things easy. I could have achieved more in one area if I'd stuck to my first one, for example, and skipped the later degrees, but I have enjoyed it so don't regret it. 'Truly achieving' is not my goal either.

OP posts:
SixtySomething · 22/02/2026 13:59

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 13:35

Education in general includes university.

We are potentially talking about different things here: entry to the next stage in the UK education system is normally based on high grades at the earliest opportunity. Having the required knowledge is one thing - using grades attained at one point to get access in competition with others is another.

For many subjects in the German university system there are no restrictions:

'What is an open admission degree programme?
Open admission means that the degree programme does not have restricted admission (NC). If you meet the prerequisites for admission, you will receive a place in the programme. There is no actual allocation process for these degree programmes.'
(https://www.uni-augsburg.de/en/studium/bewerbung/bewerbung/verfahrensablauf/open-admission-degree-programmes-without-nc/)

In Denmark, some students are admitted based on grades and some students are admitted on 'alternative experiences' where they argue in their application why they want to study x subject.

In Sweden a type of scholastic aptitude test is an alternative route in.

So there are three examples.

Well, I thought that at least some UK universities are flexible with entry requirements, accepting alternative Life Experiences for Mature Students.
I also thought Oxford and Cambridge were being more inclusive by adjusting entry requirements against Measures of Deprivation.
Previously, entrance to Oxford was by their own entrance exam. If you passed that, and an interview, you only needed two A Level passes with an E grade to enter. I think that may have been abolished years ago, however
Your link to Augsburg University seems to be out of date.
I’m unconvinced that the examples you cite are particularly different from UK universities. Perhaps you don’t know all that much about the UK education system, just the bits you have experienced?.

freakingscared · 22/02/2026 14:01

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 13:36

As stated above, it is difficult to answer to such a barrage of questions in a timely way! It will inevitably come across as trying to avoid some questions.

I already asked but hope it’s ok to insist on it . How was school for you ? My daughter is highly intelligent she is 9 now reading full book by the time she turned 3 hates math but does it without even thinking much , ahead at least 3 year ( by standard exams ) she was also diagnosed with adhd , hates school . I was the same at school but I got lost in my teen years , still graduated and have a ok job within the legal profession, I’m very focused for a few periods of time so normally do the brunt if a 8 hour work in less than 2 hours , but wouldn’t consider myself highly intelligent.
I also hated school

ProudCat · 22/02/2026 14:01

I never understand this intelligence thing. People seem to treat it as if it's something innate. They then make strange comments about how they're able to learn more quickly than others without recognising that what they're actually talking about is memory and executive function capacity. They might as well say 'I have more RAM than the average person'.

I am interested, however, in someone's ability to come up with something unique (rather than their ability to just synthesise other peoples' thoughts - because in the end that's just an administrative function). I don't know. Not necessarily Da Vinci, but maybe Nietzsche, Kant or Hegel. Like, the real thinkers. I can't even imagine what it takes to formulate an entirely new method of thought. Where would you start? Those sort of people interest me. Who interests you?

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:01

ArtesianWater · 22/02/2026 13:58

This is very relative to context though. Based on your descriptions, I am also 'highly intelligent' in that I consistently perform in the 98th+ percentile of a general population on well-validated intelligence tests, got into MENSA, have two master's degrees from top UK institutions, etc. etc. But now I work in a professional environment where that is table stakes and I am squarely in the middle of the pack. It's humbling and I don't see myself as anything special - nor do I get bored because I have to keep up all the time. The real outliers are the ones who smash it relative to that peer group and I think it has very few drawbacks for them. I think the important thing is person-environment fit when it comes to happiness.

I also studied intelligence as part of one of my degrees and it's an interesting subject. The academic concept that is well-researched is 'General Intelligence / GI' rather than IQ. It's true that it is positively correlated with a lot of desirable life outcomes, although obviously it's not the only thing that matters. For the poster that was interested, it is also correlated with women having children later / fewer children overall.

Artificial GI is also the thing that different countries are racing to create and that will be the real turning point in the AI revolution.

Agree that the differences are fewer the higher you get/the more of 'your tribe' you find and completely agree that the person-environment fit is the important thing when it comes to happiness.

Yes, the women/no children thing is interesting.

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 22/02/2026 14:01

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 13:42

I have many friends today and don't struggle to connect with people in general. In some contexts I play down what I can 'get' / understand easily because that is easier for everyone.

I have had problems earlier, especially at school, where I was pushed into a group of people I had little in common with and was forced to spend a lot of time with. Everyone needs their tribe - I am lucky to have one now.

I don't see why it would be strange that some intelligent people suffer more from connecting with people than others? If you're secure and happy with your friends and social life most of the time it will obviously be easier to sometimes accept/live with/enjoy seeing people you don't connect with massively really. That is just one example.

That doesn't answer my question.

I completely agree that there is nothing strange about the fact that some intelligent people will inevitably struggle more with social connections than others, precisely because I don't believe that intelligence is the determining factor. If it was the determining factor, then we would not expect to see that kind of variation.

The fact is, there are some highly intelligent people who struggle to connect with anyone less intelligent than they are, and then there are highly intelligent people who are able to connect and relate very naturally to people who might happen much lower IQs than they do. This is typically because they have the emotional intelligence to be able to interact and connect with people in ways which are not dependent on raw intellect or academic ability, and perhaps also because they are able to identify in those people qualities other than high intelligence which they may value and appreciate.

You clearly don't have an answer as to why some highly intelligent people don't struggle to connect with people who aren't like them, so perhaps it is worth reflecting again on why you might be having some of the difficulties that you have encountered, and whether there might actually be a different explanation which you could use to your advantage.

Notknowingwhatsgoingon · 22/02/2026 14:04

You asked what people maybthinknof you being highly intelligent? I'm intelligent but wouldn't describe myself as highly intelligent.

I generally think more of people that don't need to tell everyone about their intelligence. I also feel sorry for people that are highly intelligent as I think people who are less intelligent don't worry about or analyse everything in the same way and their oblivion means that they can go on in life more happily.

dontcallhimpunch · 22/02/2026 14:04

babylone · 22/02/2026 09:19

What advice would you give to a mum with a (potentially) highly intelligent child ?
my child has not had an IQ test but teachers and friends and fanily have always commented on how smart he is and what an extraordinary memory he has - from when he was very young. One math teacher even rang me once to say that he doesnt make calls like this usually but my son gave him an answer to a problem in class that no-one his age would be able to get. The teacher said my son was one in a million.
teenage years are proving difficult, he is almost 16 now. Very little friendships, on the pathway for an autism assessment, self harming and under camhs. Camhs is saying the self harm is a (very unhelpful) way to find new experiences as he is bored intellectually (sorry if i am explaining this badly, im clearly not as smart as my son!!). We are trying to find helpful ways to challenge him intellectually and at the moment this is through independent cinema! And experimental music.
Although he aces maths and sciences - because it comes easily to him - he finds the rest of the subjects hard. I think he gives up far too easily on things he is not good at. If he can’t work it out by himself, then he is not going to open a book to read about it. Any advice appreciated.

We are trying to find helpful ways to challenge him intellectually and at the moment this is through independent cinema! And experimental music.

This is brilliant and you are already providing with all the support that is available.

Would your son be interested in learning and mastering a sport? Learn to play the piano or keyboard? Paint, draw, pottery?

Try and talk to him, explain that while reading up on a new subject area may be boring in the beginning it can lead to interesting hobbies and activities.

Has he volunteered? Would he be interested in a first job after his GCSEs?

Your ds sounds lovely and I wish him all the best.

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:04

freakingscared · 22/02/2026 14:01

I already asked but hope it’s ok to insist on it . How was school for you ? My daughter is highly intelligent she is 9 now reading full book by the time she turned 3 hates math but does it without even thinking much , ahead at least 3 year ( by standard exams ) she was also diagnosed with adhd , hates school . I was the same at school but I got lost in my teen years , still graduated and have a ok job within the legal profession, I’m very focused for a few periods of time so normally do the brunt if a 8 hour work in less than 2 hours , but wouldn’t consider myself highly intelligent.
I also hated school

I am absolutely no expert. Something that helped me was having outlets outside of school where I felt 'more normal' and got friends. Hobbies, clubs, sports of any kind (not necessarily academic)? Summer courses on something that is not school related? I know Potential Plus organised activities for children at one point, try checking there? And just support her with whatever she wants to do :-)

OP posts:
nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:05

Notknowingwhatsgoingon · 22/02/2026 14:04

You asked what people maybthinknof you being highly intelligent? I'm intelligent but wouldn't describe myself as highly intelligent.

I generally think more of people that don't need to tell everyone about their intelligence. I also feel sorry for people that are highly intelligent as I think people who are less intelligent don't worry about or analyse everything in the same way and their oblivion means that they can go on in life more happily.

"I think people who are less intelligent don't worry about or analyse everything in the same way and their oblivion means that they can go on in life more happily."

That's exactly it.

Btw, I don't think most intelligent people feel a need to tell anyone about it. It's a little different for an AMA though!

OP posts:
MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 22/02/2026 14:08

Random321 · 22/02/2026 13:43

You really don't help yourself, do you?

Again, surely you have the ability to understand that the only cues available to me are those you post and all I have to help me form an impression.

Have you ever heard the expression "so smart but yet so stupid"?

There's no point trading off your academic intelligence when you lack the capacity to:

  1. Understand most of the thinking on this thread
  2. Use attack and defense as a response rather than discussion, debate and exploration
  3. To understand that you have an arrogance and trade of the back of academic success rather than having the capacity to see, let alone understand or work on your weaknesses.
  4. Have a completely closed mindset and cannot think outside your narrow range, especially when it comes so emotional IQ and self development.

If you could shake of the arrogance for just one second, you would realise the thread of full of intelligent people. You aren't some sort of unicorn where no one understands you due to your "intelligence".

Everyone here is telling you, your intelligence is extremely limited to academics and that it's worth exploring it to develop a more rounded intelligence.

If you could master some of life's softer skills and find some humility, life would be far easier for you.

Most intellligent people realise by the age of 12 that academic intelligent in insolation and without any introspective insight or self reflection leads to a harder more lonely, difficult, life.

The penny just hasn't dropped yet. It really is a massive blindspot in terms of your intelligence.

And as per your form on this thread, you will dismiss this as an assumption or any attract. True intelligence would allow you to evaluate it on merit and see how it cpuld benefit you.

Also @MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack, (& apologies MrsB for using you as an example) for one, is as sharp as a tact - clearly very intelligent by her posts but has not once told us she's superior. Her articulation, formulation of thought and debate demonstrate that.

The contrast is remarkable and you don't even see it.

That's very kind, thank you.

There are actually a lot of very insightful posters on this thread if only the OP was willing to engage with them.

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:09

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 22/02/2026 14:01

That doesn't answer my question.

I completely agree that there is nothing strange about the fact that some intelligent people will inevitably struggle more with social connections than others, precisely because I don't believe that intelligence is the determining factor. If it was the determining factor, then we would not expect to see that kind of variation.

The fact is, there are some highly intelligent people who struggle to connect with anyone less intelligent than they are, and then there are highly intelligent people who are able to connect and relate very naturally to people who might happen much lower IQs than they do. This is typically because they have the emotional intelligence to be able to interact and connect with people in ways which are not dependent on raw intellect or academic ability, and perhaps also because they are able to identify in those people qualities other than high intelligence which they may value and appreciate.

You clearly don't have an answer as to why some highly intelligent people don't struggle to connect with people who aren't like them, so perhaps it is worth reflecting again on why you might be having some of the difficulties that you have encountered, and whether there might actually be a different explanation which you could use to your advantage.

I have provided the answers I have - the fact that you don't agree with them or don't think they meet your world view I cannot help! You state that 'This is typically because they have the emotional intelligence to be able to interact and connect with people' - unless you provide evidence that that is a common/typical reason that is your hypothesis.

Again, no need to provide life advice for me. Not sure why so many people are so keen to help me find the solutions to my non-existing problems and refuse to accept that even someone with an unusual/provocative AMA can be fine IRL...

OP posts:
freakingscared · 22/02/2026 14:09

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:05

"I think people who are less intelligent don't worry about or analyse everything in the same way and their oblivion means that they can go on in life more happily."

That's exactly it.

Btw, I don't think most intelligent people feel a need to tell anyone about it. It's a little different for an AMA though!

That’s probably because you are taught social norms lol 😜. I clearly remember my child telling me in P1 that all her friends were dumb because they took weeks to learn something she did in an hour . She still struggles with this now a few years after . But now she knows not to mention it because it’s rude and it will make others feel bad .

dontcallhimpunch · 22/02/2026 14:10

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:05

"I think people who are less intelligent don't worry about or analyse everything in the same way and their oblivion means that they can go on in life more happily."

That's exactly it.

Btw, I don't think most intelligent people feel a need to tell anyone about it. It's a little different for an AMA though!

"I think people who are less intelligent don't worry about or analyse everything in the same way and their oblivion means that they can go on in life more happily."

I think that’s more about rumination than intelligence. Plenty of very intelligent people don’t overthink, and plenty of over thinkers aren’t necessarily highly intelligent. Rumination is a risk factor for anxiety and depression though because getting stuck in those thought loops can worsen low mood. Something to be aware of.

dontcallhimpunch · 22/02/2026 14:11

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:09

I have provided the answers I have - the fact that you don't agree with them or don't think they meet your world view I cannot help! You state that 'This is typically because they have the emotional intelligence to be able to interact and connect with people' - unless you provide evidence that that is a common/typical reason that is your hypothesis.

Again, no need to provide life advice for me. Not sure why so many people are so keen to help me find the solutions to my non-existing problems and refuse to accept that even someone with an unusual/provocative AMA can be fine IRL...

Your AMA is certainly not thought provoking but your tone is contrary.

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:15

SixtySomething · 22/02/2026 13:59

Well, I thought that at least some UK universities are flexible with entry requirements, accepting alternative Life Experiences for Mature Students.
I also thought Oxford and Cambridge were being more inclusive by adjusting entry requirements against Measures of Deprivation.
Previously, entrance to Oxford was by their own entrance exam. If you passed that, and an interview, you only needed two A Level passes with an E grade to enter. I think that may have been abolished years ago, however
Your link to Augsburg University seems to be out of date.
I’m unconvinced that the examples you cite are particularly different from UK universities. Perhaps you don’t know all that much about the UK education system, just the bits you have experienced?.

It is very different going to school in a system where many people consider you as having failed if you don't do well when you're 15 compared to a system where what you do at 15 does not have much of (or any) an impact on your later educational options. It is also very different being in a system where there is such a strong, and unhealthy, in my view, focus on starting at university at young age. 'Mature' at 21..? In many parts of Europe it is very common for young people to take 1, 2, 3, 4 years to decide what they want to study. I've had colleagues here who have been concerned about their 20 years olds who haven't started studying yet/have dropped out. It is linked to the educational pressure.

No idea why the Augsburg link didn't work - was there a hidden blank?

https://www.uni-augsburg.de/en/studium/bewerbung/bewerbung/verfahrensablauf/open-admission-degree-programmes-without-nc

Open admission (without NC)

https://www.uni-augsburg.de/en/studium/bewerbung/bewerbung/verfahrensablauf/open-admission-degree-programmes-without-nc/

OP posts:
Warmlight1 · 22/02/2026 14:15

I have found this an interesting and thought provoking thread.

freakingscared · 22/02/2026 14:16

dontcallhimpunch · 22/02/2026 14:11

Your AMA is certainly not thought provoking but your tone is contrary.

Is it possible op feels a bit attacked by you ? You haven’t exactly been nice in anyway or provided much to make the thread feel more interesting, you just seem happy to go against OP and be offended by her high IQ and determined to make it into a negative thing .

MrFluffyDogIsMyBestFriend · 22/02/2026 14:16

Not saying this applies to you OP, but my mum used to do really well in IQ tests but somehow it didn't translate to real life. She was incredibly dogmatic and emotionally immature to the point of stupidity. Dad was an intellectual with an IQ similar to mine (maybe 127) and he was far more intelligent than mum.

My youngest DS has a high IQ (not sure what it is and he's not interested in testing it but he has 4 A* A level inc further maths and he admits he puts in as little effort as possible). He's autistic, as I think most people with exceptionally high intelligence are.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 22/02/2026 14:19

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:09

I have provided the answers I have - the fact that you don't agree with them or don't think they meet your world view I cannot help! You state that 'This is typically because they have the emotional intelligence to be able to interact and connect with people' - unless you provide evidence that that is a common/typical reason that is your hypothesis.

Again, no need to provide life advice for me. Not sure why so many people are so keen to help me find the solutions to my non-existing problems and refuse to accept that even someone with an unusual/provocative AMA can be fine IRL...

It isn't that you're disagreeing with me, though. You are just ignoring the question and talking around it.

Let's try this a different way.

Question 1: Do you believe that all highly intelligent people inevitably struggle to connect with people who are less intelligent than they are?

If the answer to question 1 is "yes", then frankly I find your response ridiculous, and we can just agree to disagree without bothering to discuss further.

If the answer is "no", please go to question 2.

Question 2. If high intelligence prevents some people from connecting effectively with people who have lower intelligence (disregarding the thorny question of how that might be measured), why doesn't it affect all highly intelligent people in the same way, and what exactly is it, in your view, that the difference?

eventhekitchensink · 22/02/2026 14:22

Did you go to either Oxford or Cambridge?

bafta16 · 22/02/2026 14:23

What is intelligence?

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