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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:
BunnyLake · 22/02/2026 14:52

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:38

I probably have quite a dry sense of humour.

Yes to absolutely cry with laughter sometimes, stomach ache from laughing... I think I both laugh and cry quite easily.

Well that’s good to hear. It’s important for everyone, high intelligence or no, to be as well rounded as possible.

Sisandbro81 · 22/02/2026 14:54

Ask you anything?

Did you set aside the entire day to mumsnet @nolinkname ? I’d have thought you’d have more worth interests to pursue

Sisandbro81 · 22/02/2026 14:55

Are you happy? Do you enjoy your job? Partner? Children?

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/02/2026 14:55

Sisandbro81 · 22/02/2026 14:54

Ask you anything?

Did you set aside the entire day to mumsnet @nolinkname ? I’d have thought you’d have more worth interests to pursue

snigger

JLou08 · 22/02/2026 14:56

This has been a really interesting thread.
Did it go how you expected OP?
I think the tone of responses would have been very similar if someone posted that they were exceptionally beautiful.
Why do you think that people try to put you down, pick holes in the story and diagnose you?

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:57

SixtySomething · 22/02/2026 14:50

I'm not sure what point you're making , OP.
If you've failed your school exams at 15, well, you've failed that stage.
I get 'triggered' when people from other countries take advantage of British life and then start criticising it bitterly.

You questioned my comment that in the UK it is more or less only exams that pave the way for education at the next stage. I explained what I meant: that in many countries there are alternative ways of getting a (very good and prestigious) education even if you don't do well at 15. That was my point that I tried to explain further.

I can understand that you feel triggered. It is very natural to feel protective of your home country. I can feel the same way. If it is linked to trying to create positive change, hopefully it's easier to not get as triggered.

OP posts:
Randomuser2026 · 22/02/2026 14:57

InfoSecInTheCity · 22/02/2026 09:44

I also have a brain that processes like this, I’m able to process information very quickly, identify trends, foresee future possible outcomes, retain and link large sets of data and relate it back to the context I’m working in to apply it easily. It’s been very helpful in my career, I work in cybersecurity so it’s constantly evolving and very varied which keeps my mind active.

i do find it very awkward when people notice and comment though. I’m currently working on a very significant opportunity who is highly detailed, thousands of pages of requirements and contract language and am in meetings it’s obvious I can recall details other haven’t gotten around of reading yet or haven’t understood and people keep making these surprised comments asking if I’ve really read everything and understood it, or how great it is to have a human encyclopaedia working on the case. I’m never sure how to respond.

I find that “Thank you” with a small but sincere smile is sufficient.

Sisandbro81 · 22/02/2026 14:58

Genuinely curious - what your personal life like? Live alone? Romantic relationships? Kids? Enjoy work?

I don’t think you’ll be quite so keen to answer these questions

ohhhhnnnoooo · 22/02/2026 14:58

CamillaMcCauley · 22/02/2026 09:08

Do you know how and why to use the quote function?

Genius

SixtySomething · 22/02/2026 15:01

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 22/02/2026 14:41

I bet you piss people off a lot in real life if you’re like this plus your intelligence. You probably find some people listen to you without thinking.

I still don't get why OP hasn't given us some indication of her 'high intelligence' eg MENSA score, or some other sign that there is another person or official body, apart from herself, who considers her highly intelligent.
Otherwise, we're somewhat into the territory of that current thread from the lady whose husband believes he is extremely gifted and giving her a lot of grief.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 22/02/2026 15:01

LemonPenguin · 22/02/2026 14:49

Oh come on, both of you!! Surely that’s quire a nice feeling, being able to read, analyse, make links, retain the info…much faster than anyone else? You’re allowed to say ‘yeah it feels kind of good to be able to do that actually!’- this faux ‘oh gosh I’d much prefer a compliment for being kind!!’ is a bit much! (and you can do both!)

I think if someone has the type of brain that processes information very quickly or effectively, then that's obviously a huge advantage that they would be stupid not to appreciate. But that brain is also the only brain that they've ever known, and there may be an element of taking it for granted. Smart people will already know that they are smart, and some may find it a bit embarrassing to have it pointed out.

I think it's totally understandable that people would be happier to receive a comment about being kind or helpful, because these qualities involve choice and effort in a way that intelligence does not. Such compliments are earned and therefore feel more valuable.

Sisandbro81 · 22/02/2026 15:02

My guess is that this OP had absolutely NOTHING planned for today and has watched all her TV and so thought…. I’ll spend the ENTIRE day on mumsnet.

And here we are… 108 posts down

TroysMammy · 22/02/2026 15:04

Do you have common sense?

MrsDoylesLastTeabag · 22/02/2026 15:05

Have you read Lionel’s Shriver’s Mania, OP? What did you think of it?

While I can understand why some have found OP’s answers a bit abrasive, I confess I find those suggesting that if s/he were really all that clever, s/he’d be in a career where you can earn silly money a bit tedious….

daisychain01 · 22/02/2026 15:10

The trouble with starting a thread in which you state that you are highly intelligent is that it sets a high expectation that you're going to enlighten your readership with some stunning earth-shattering insights.

you come across as a normal person with reasonable communication skills and possibly good reasoning skills but no different to many posters on MN where I think - wow their views (on whatever thread they are on) are really insightful, knowledgeable and/or witty.

That's not to say you aren't all those things too, but I don't think you've done yourself any favours by elevating yourself to such lofty heights. It would be far better if you got into one or more of the many threads discussing a wide range of topics, where you are highly likely to find others wanting challenging intellectual debate. Or start your own thread on a topic that you're passionate about. why not just enjoy your intelligence rather than feel the need to discuss it.

JustSawJohnny · 22/02/2026 15:13

I have a high IQ too.

I have never thought it makes me special and I don't tell people about it because it would, IMO, make me sound more than a bit of a twat.

I have no idea why you think anyone would even have questions for you.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 22/02/2026 15:16

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:50

Yes of course. Friendship is down to so many things. IQ/intelligence, irrespective of definition, is one aspect of a person and there are many others. I have several close friends who didn't do well academically for example (perhaps at least slightly linked to not having the drive to try harder).

However, I think I would struggle if I didn't have any friends that I could share very intellectual conversations with. Don't most people have friends 'in different ways', some you do x and talk about y with a lot, some you do 1 and talk about 2 a lot with?

I agree, if you enjoy intellectual conversations with people, then it's important to have some people who are willing and able to engage in such conversations. It's good that you recognise that IQ/intelligence is only one aspect of a person.

I'm just wondering exactly what you meant earlier in the thread when you said "I struggle to connect with a lot of people."

Idratherhaveafishsupper · 22/02/2026 15:19

TroysMammy · 22/02/2026 15:04

Do you have common sense?

My friend is highly intelligent, bordering to be over the edge if you ask me, but she hasn’t got an ounce of common sense.

JumpingPumpkin · 22/02/2026 15:25

OtterlyAstounding · 22/02/2026 10:40

"Trans women – I haven’t followed the debate enough/read up enough to have a relevant view."

Oh dear. Not very bright then after all.

Pretty funny actually. Working in academia apparently so presumably not wanting to risk rocking the boat by acknowledging reality.

MonstrousRegimentRocks · 22/02/2026 15:26

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?.

I think that has been more than proven, throughout this thread.

Driftingawaynow · 22/02/2026 15:27

My DS has just been assessed as gifted and I really recognise what you are saying OP, about struggle to connect with others and having to mask to fit in, and how lonely that is. i wish I had understood this before, a lot of time has been lost and avoidable pain for him. Thank you for raising awareness of this, giftedness, or whatever you want to call it is not particularly uncommon, and it’s good for people to have more understanding about it

I am bright but not as much as him, but i recall the sneering of other kids as I went through school trying to keep my head down but keen to learn and able to have a far more adult conversation with teachers than others, And learning to keep my mouth shut as I got older and only talk to very safe people about anything i find interesting as there’s a risk of being accused of thinking I’m better than others /being a weirdo etc.

i find it hilarious that some people on this chat are so insistent that their opinion of whether high intelligence can inherently come with social problems is of more interest/ trumps the widely available research on this matter and then dismiss you as having poor social skills, the kind of cringe “splaining you’re being subjected to is hardly the apex of social skills

you come across as social skilled to me, with the grace and humility not to place yourself as an expert on the ever tedious “trans-debate”, imagine a world in which everyone else did the same (Jfc it would be a tonic)

TheBestThingthatAlmostHappened · 22/02/2026 15:27

NotMajorTom · 22/02/2026 14:27

And you wonder why you get feedback that you can’t communicate well

She can't communicate well because she doesn't want to answer silly questions about giraffes, and because she doesn't care to be diagnosed by randomers on MN? You have a very different definition of communication to me.

MyThreeWords · 22/02/2026 15:28

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 11:34

I find it strange that someone would assume that they know what a person is like based on one thread that they started. Do you always assume that someone who starts a thread about something is very wedded to that particular subject?

Completely agree that an IQ score is a very crude instrument and that intelligence is broader. Few people know such nuances though, so it was easier to use it here (note also that I immediately qualified it 'Using standard IQ scales/assessments').

Do you always assume that someone who starts a thread about something is very wedded to that particular subject?

No, only when the thread is explicitly about themselves and their own excellence in relation to that particular subject.

EDITED TO ADD: I've just spotted the bit of this post where you say "Few people know such nuances though,". I'm pretty sure that is false, and that it illustrates they you are not really very adept at judging the cognitive abilities of those around you. Perhaps that is why you have been led into what appears to be a misunderstanding of how your high IQ score translates into your relative intelligence compared to those around you.

CarlaLemarchant · 22/02/2026 15:29

For the third time on this “Ask me anything”…how much do you earn?

MonstrousRegimentRocks · 22/02/2026 15:29

nolinkname · 22/02/2026 14:57

You questioned my comment that in the UK it is more or less only exams that pave the way for education at the next stage. I explained what I meant: that in many countries there are alternative ways of getting a (very good and prestigious) education even if you don't do well at 15. That was my point that I tried to explain further.

I can understand that you feel triggered. It is very natural to feel protective of your home country. I can feel the same way. If it is linked to trying to create positive change, hopefully it's easier to not get as triggered.

What you don't understand is that this happens in the UK, too.
I have a colleague who left school with nothing - not one GCSE. He later on did an Access course at college and went on to take a History degree at university.
He is not unique.
Please stop with the misinformation about the UK education system. Seriously.