To wonder if clever people are less likely to be happy....

[Comedycook]

Maybe clever is the wrong word? Perhaps analytical is a better word. I'm just musing. I think the more you think about life, the more crap it seems. I'm not actively unhappy but I wouldn't say I'm a hugely happy person. I think way too much. So for example, at a party or event, I find it hard to let loose. I can't switch off my analytical musings on what's going on around me and as a consequence, I don't have a huge amount of fun.

Maybe this isn't intelligence as such but over thinking/analysing

Anyone else like this?

@bellac11 I think you have it right. Many intelligent people are anxious and unhappy , particularly at the moment as if you analyse the current situation there's a lot to be very pissed off about if you follow politics, business, world affairs etc - I've found that many who seem happier are much more 'live for the moment' type personalities and often less interested in qualifications or high flying careers or moving around and often world events . I'm not saying one is right and one is wrong- it's just an observation.

I would be described as 'intelligent' - Oxbridge educated etc. Always encouraged to question everything, look at things deeply and critically.

I think it can be linked to too much time in your own head. Academic work can be very solitary and my job has continued that trend. Sitting alone at a desk = existential crises! I feel so much better when I get out in the world, speak to people, socialise but it is not my natural inclination to do so. People who work in more physical jobs seems to be so much happier. I think it's lifestyle as well as 'intelligence'.

Ignorance is bliss, innit

Bloody hate a hen do! 😂

The more educated I've become (formally and informally) the more unhappy I've become. Sometimes I do think ignorance is bliss! But at the same time I would not reverse that, I like my inquisitive mind and I am fascinated by the way the world works. I find lots of joy in learning, researching and following the path of curiosity. I'm grateful to live in a time period and country where I am able to follow a more academic path than women have historically been able to do. I am prone to anxiety, though, and think my mind can be overactive and am always looking for ways to find a quieter mind. It's fine when I'm focusing my energies on something constructive and creative, but when I'm focusing on negative things or have a scattered mind it can be exhausting.

And it's why I say clever people doubt that their understanding of the world is the only possible interpretation.

I'm an atheist, by the way - I'm just not daft enough to believe there's any rational or scientific way to prove it either way...

I would consider myself to be fairly intelligent, a better paid job wouldn't make me happier.

I think there are different types of intelligence, but happiness is mostly dictated by personality.

I'm not unhappy, or even particularly anxious socially. I am though often bored and prefer to go back to thinking and being left in peace. I do over analyse but usually its more about how can I find a theory (usually a meta theory) to explain seemingly unrelated phenomena. This makes me happy. An unexamined life and all'....I have met some very unhappy thick people, and some very interesting intelligent people who have been witty, entertaining and the life and soul. After all it takes some intelligence to be the funniest person in the room. I'm not stoopid but I'm not holding court telling jokes and funny stories.

Again, to agree with @Comedycook, I don’t think this is the ringing endorsement that you think it is.

I found this interesting.
www.bbc.com/future/article/20150413-the-downsides-of-being-clever

Also:
www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/evolution-the-self/202111/13-reasons-why-high-iq-can-make-you-less-happy

I agree with this. The cleverest/most analytical people I know have calculated how to achieve the work/life balance that they want. They’ve got very healthy priorities and boundaries when it comes to work and know how to spend (or save) their money in the ways that deliver the most benefit for them. They’re much less susceptible to peer pressure, trends etc. They don’t always make the decisions I would make, but I can see the logic in the choices they make for themselves.

Thanks but we have had all sorts of assessments/ counselling and additionally I think I know her much better than you.
She does not have ADHD or any other SEN, she has anxiety and both myself and quite a few medical professionals believe it’s partly due to her “overactive” brain
I suppose it’s not her intelligence that makes her anxious but the way her brain works that makes her so bright also makes her anxious as well.

The cleverest people I know are billionaires/innovators/renowned scientists etc.

Goes to show how much our definitions of clever differs

Just so insulting of religious people. You don’t believe: fine. But it doesn’t mean believers are stupid.

I know many Christians and Muslims who are very intelligent. I have no doubt there are plenty of people of many other religions who are very intelligent

If you can comprehend more, you have more awareness of what can go wrong

@OnlyFoolsnMothers I would say the only logical position is agnosticism.

Yes OP I agree a million times. Obviously not always, but in general, and related to a specific type of 'clever' and probably more women than men... I am definitely the way you describe.

I think this is about being over analytical and prone to anxiety-induced thinking, not about intelligence.

I’m intelligent and normally happy but I’ve suffered with anxiety and depression in the past and in that state, my mind running away with negative thoughts I felt I was using my intelligence less, not more. I’m normally able to put issues into perspective and think objectively - both in terms of ‘not sweating the small stuff’ and when faced with big existential worries, to rationalise these and be grateful for what I do have. When I was depressed and anxious all that went out of the window and I couldn’t find my usual perspective.

Also as for “whooping it up at parties” - again I think that’s temperament. I’m not generally a party animal, but I find my happiness in other ways.

Not meaning to offend - but I think it’s a clear example of knowledgeable vs intelligent. Plenty of people know a lot, can make a lot of money and believe unproven ideas. I however think that intelligent people seek proof and understanding and as such would struggle to be religious. Just my own thoughts.

I would say clever people would not dismiss the existence of God either. if there’s no proof a God exists, there’s no proof one doesn’t.

you don’t set out to prove scientific hypothesis, you try and disprove it.

I also like sleep, as it means I’m not stressing or overthinking.

Part of being intelligent for me is having a good memory, and I will analyse and replay conversations and event from years ago and stress over what I did or didn’t do.

I am often worried about new things or making decisions as I will turn over every possible outcome in my mind, working out what I should do.

I remember as a kid when I was learning a new move ice skating, wondering if I was finding it hard because I was working out all the possible outcomes, including hurting myself. I wondered if I wasn’t able or didn’t think like that I would be a better skater as I wouldn’t have the fear…

This resonates:

I went to Oxbridge and most of my friends (especially the particularly clever ones) have been pretty unstable.

Out of a group of about 14 close friends at uni, 9 had pretty severe mental health problems. That included various friends who were in the top few in their year for the subject, with that generally correlating with worse mental health. Those bobbing in the middle of the pack tended to more likely to be okay.

Obviously the plural of anecdote is not data, but I would love to see a study on it.

I haven't ever been diagnosed with mental health problems but have to make a real effort to try not to spend too much time on my own with my brain because it just leads to spirals of thinking about life and the future and generally doesn't improve anything.

if there’s no proof a God exists, there’s no proof one doesn’t

Well you can't prove a negative. Although we have gone off on a bit of a tangent.

Could you be having anxiety @Comedycook ?

I am analytical and think a fair amount and like quiet time so I can think. However I am also fairly clever and happy

Surely open mindedness is needed to be intelligent.

I've had anxiety since being in primary school.

I found application of intelligence liberating whereas as frustrated intelligence led
to negative emotions.

I agree with this. I've always thought it is captured well in this poem by Philip Larkin

Born Yesterday
Philip Larkin
For Sally Amis
Tightly-folded bud,
I have wished you something
None of the others would:
Not the usual stuff
About being beautiful,
Or running off a spring
Of innocence and love —
They will all wish you that,
And should it prove possible,
Well, you’re a lucky girl.
But if it shouldn’t, then
May you be ordinary;
Have, like other women,
An average of talents:
Not ugly, not good-looking,
Nothing uncustomary
To pull you off your balance,
That, unworkable itself,
Stops all the rest from working.
In fact, may you be dull —
If that is what a skilled,
Vigilant, flexible,
Unemphasised, enthralled
Catching of happiness is called.