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?

I'm not religious but I'm definitely not atheist.

I think that intelligence includes understanding that there are many things that we can never prove. Intelligence includes understanding the limits of the human mind.

To discuss anxiety - I have always been anxious. I feel it is partly this that drives me. To keep persevering, working, not give up etc. I struggle to sleep because I'm always 'on'. Do you also feel like that @Comedycook ?

Ignorance is bliss? Maybe to a point but something I see a lot is people becoming neurotic around irrational worries.

Do you stop your child climbing a tree because you are aware of the risk of them falling and hurting themselves, or do you let them climb as you assess the risk of them gravely injuring themselves as low compared to the benefits to their confidence, fitness, co-ordination and enjoyment of life? I tend to be more in the latter camp which I think is partly my general outlook on life but partly using intelligence to take a more holistic view of risk rather than being driven by neurosis.

I have found that the more depressed I am, the less intelligent I am. The last year or so has been not great, and I can barely formulate an intelligent thought now. Feeling sad creates a fog in my brain, so that I don't have the attention to read, cannot follow an argument, don't have the creativity to think of my own view. Before, I could read all day, write academic texts, debate anyone (not always win, of course, but could at least try!).

Still don't love a hen do, though!

@whereaw interesting but I would say my anxiety paralyses me rather than spurs me on. I'm exceptionally lazy and a massive procrastinator... mainly because I struggle to see the point of things.

I would think it depends on the purpose of your "analysis". What exactly are you analysing?

Do you suffer from imposter syndrome?

I can see where you are coming from, but intelligence is linked to more positive life outcomes than just about any other individual difference between people. I think what you are talking about is more neuroticism as a personality trait.

Some people are clever and some are wise.

Some people are happy and wise. Not judging others for being thick probably helps.

I wonder if there is a link between pessimism and intelligence. The optimism bias is interesting becuase around 80% of the population exhibit this and it is even adjusted for in economic analysis. The remaining 20% are better decision makers but does this make them more intelligent?

I'm very analytical, OP. In fact, people say, well I knew you were analytical, but wasn't expecting you to be that analytical, lol! I'm also scored top 5%, so have tge added 'intelligence', whatever that is!

I have learnt to take a chill pill, it's difficult, but I do it most days.

I'm also an extrovert but most people think I'm an introvert.

I used to have fun when I was younger - pre hubby and kids. I mean life of tge party type behaviour. Now I can have a laugh, but I thinking I'm a little boring, watching life versus participating esp after my hubby died.

I love my area of work, which gives me a lot of joy, but I do think you're right. Overthinking leads to lower involvement and hence less access to enjoyment and what most would call happiness.

I feel content, which I believe is real happiness.

Research shows healthy people with higher iq tend to be happier. However those with generalised anxiety disorder and higher IQ tend to be the opposite.

Firstly I had to chuckle because this thread has clearly brought out those who are using it to validate their intelligence (not your post OP which has raised an interesting question).

You have something of a point in that hyper intelligent people (IQs in the 150+ range) often struggle with mental health issues because they look at the world differently from the rest of us, and struggle to build relationships because most of us simply aren't on their level of thinking.

However, what is being discussed by many on here isn't a sign of intelligence. Overthinking is often as a result of being overwhelmed by the world around us and often because we're overstimulated with information we cannot use to formulate a rational view of what we are seeing/hearing/reading. Most intelligent people I have encountered tend to be more at ease with the world, which I think contributes to their higher likelihood of being successful career wise because they're more comfortable with how the world works, or certainly how to live with the world around them. This doesn't mean they are/are not sociable of course, but will likely mean they're much more comfortable with who they are and how they fit in. This shouldn't be conflated with an 'ignorance is bliss' type view because the difference is that an intelligent person understands what they do and don't know, whereas those with lesser intelligence are blind to or ignore those things they don't understand.

Analytical thinking I believe is a sign of intelligence when used for critical thinking etc, but overthinking and not being able to enjoy yourself definitely aren't, they're more a coping mechanism as a way to try and retain control of ourselves and the world around us.

Just my two penneth worth.

I agree op! People who are more analytical tend to dwell on things more I find. There is almost a constant need to find one right answer when life is often such that there isn't always one answer

No but in all honesty I think that's because I've never achieved much. I am intelligent and I have a degree but I've never had a "good" job. I'm a sahm of secondary age DC. Like I said, I'm a procrastinator... definitely not a do-er. This has contributed to my lack of achievement.

Do you think high IQ the only indication of intelligence @Jimboscott0115 ? I'm not sure I agree.

🤣🤣

Yes - "a happy pig or an unhappy socrates?" is the saying in our house! My partner is very bright and analyses current affairs and sees what's going to happen etc so thinks about it a lot, whereas whilst I'm still bright, I try to live in blissful ignorance of most things 😂 I also love hen dos and baby showers so maybe im just a "thicko"

I agree with you and it’s not overanalysing a situation. It’s fully understanding a situation and all the outcomes.

My cousin lives a glorious life of blissful ignorance. She’ll light a cigarette in a petrol station for instance and just enjoy it. Explosives? Wtf is that, no time for it, just enjoy the cigarette and move on. I envy that freedom a bit.

I am exactly the same, mind you I was recently diagnosed with ADHD, so some of it is down to that. Have tried not drinking at parties, but then I don't feel as relaxed and chatty.

I have often been called 'analytical', and it has come in very handy at work, I can tell you. Personally I think that 'clever' people (if you want to use that awful word) can use their 'cleverness' to persuade themselves of whatever they want. Depending on their personality type. A hopeful person will find plenty of reasons to be cheerful, as Ian Dury put it. A miserable type will only see gloom at the end of their rigorous analysis.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers i spat my tea out laughing there.

only thickos love hen dos…. I think you’re on to something because they’re generally an absolute pile of (overpriced) shite.

As a crude measure for those at the extremes, yes I do. It's a very clear indication of those with ultra high or very low intelligence.

For the remaining 80% perhaps not, which is why I tried to describe my view rather than use an IQ number. I guess in a nutshell people often conflate being good at something with intelligence when the two can be, and often are, very different .

I do not think it is true though. You can be intelligent and able to analyse but still retain a childlike wonder of the world. You have to embrace silliness and absurdity. Many comedians who are very intelligent do this successfully.

I'd say that people who endlessly analyse things that are out of their control lack emotional intelligence.

I read lots of news and have written articles analysing issues in the world. But you need to keep a sense of perspective. Why should understanding the major simmering tension between Taiwan and China mean you can't enjoy a hen party? Or understanding that Ethiopia and the Tigray rebels could easily lead to even more famine in Ethiopia mean you can't enjoy a good night out?
The two are not exclusive. If you get a sense of perspective and realise how many people have a really tough life, then the fact you can go on a hen party tells you how lucky you are.
I think there is a point where over analysing and woe is me by people who have pretty secure and safe lives, just becomes an indulgence that many people do not have the good fortune to be able to indulge in.