I was reading a comment thread recently.

One commenter stated that they are aware of the people who are “dumber” than them, and if they are not aware the person they are talking to is either similar in intelligence or smarter than they are.

So my question is, do you have this awareness?

Are you conscious of your relative standing in the intelligence hierarchy around you?

And a side point, can you tell a smart person is acting dumb to fit in with those around them?

  • themeatbridge@lemmy.worldEnglish
    2·
    2 months ago

    I always assume someone is as smart or smarter than me. I’m not that smart, so it works out most of the time. But it’s kind of like being tall. I’m taller than average, but I have a hard time judging if someone is taller or shorter than me. I really only notice height in the extremes, and sometimes I’ll think “That person is really tall” but then we’re in a picture together and I am much taller.

    If I talk to someone who is very smart, it’s immediately obvious. If I meet someone who is very stupid, it is immediately obvious. In between the extremes, it isn’t particularly memorable.

    I can’t say I’ve ever noticed anyone pretending to be stupid to blend in.