Thread: Superior Intelligence and it's implications and applications

First, I will start off with the statement that made me post this in this particular forum...

"I am the smartest guy I have ever met."

How's that for controversial? The problem is, most of the people who know me believe it, too. I literally seem to absorb information. I also have, what I would consider to be, an obsessive compulsive disorder. When I become interested in a subject I find it difficult to exercise moderation.

I became interested in photography about a year ago after my daughter was born. I just wanted to take better quality photos. I have now worked with 3 of the premier professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area and when I talk to them, I realize I know more about the technical aspects than they do.

I was a Navy Nuke and scored at the top of my class in what is said to be the third toughest school in the world. I met Mensa's guidelines but never joined. The last time I took a formal IQ test, I scored a 163.

I say all that to solicit advice and try to give background info that will make that advice applicable.

Honestly, I can't explain it. I just seem to absorb information. Some of it is from my studies in speed reading. Some of it just came natural. Some of it came from reading 10's of thousands of books.

In any case, I am at a crossroads in my life.

Currently, I am a Chief Engineer working on a critical facility for one of the Fortune 50 companies in the world. I am well paid, I work with a great team, and I like my job...but I am bored.

I see a thousand things we could do different but am met with the inevitable obstacle of that's how we always did it.

So, finally to my point, what do you do, if you are the smartest person in the room, bored, and don't have the authority to change things?

Are there any auditions out there? How do you become part of a think tank? How do you cut through the red tape and the egos in order to get to a point where you are actually making a difference instead of just adhering to idiotic policy that was put in place for no logical reason?

How do you get past the obstacles that are in your way just because you may be younger or different? How do you find a company that is actually looking for excellence and do you know of any interviews or auditions where somebody could prove their skills?

The one thing you haven't learned and the one thing you desparately need to learn in order to achieve the goals you have expressed is humility. A bit of empathy and compassion wouldn't go amiss either.

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

The one thing you haven't learned and the one thing you desparately need to learn in order to achieve the goals you have expressed is humility. A bit of empathy and compassion wouldn't go amiss either.

I don't recall asking your personal opinion of my personality. I understand that you don't approve of my stance on charity and foreign aide. That has nothing to do with this post or topic.

Oh, look! Another Ayn Rand cultist.

I'm not sure what the proper response to a post that is a thinly veiled retelling of part of the plot of one of Rand's books. On the plus side, it is way more interesting than Rand's writing. However, it doesn't add any content. Rand is simply too juvenile and narrow-minded to be worthy of considering.

For more on some of the flaws in Rand, read the links contained below.


http://chronicle.com/article/Debunking-Ayn-Rands/43714/

A few weeks ago, The Chronicle published a package of articles on Ayn Rand's academic legacy. The articles set Steve Gimbel, an associate professor of philosophy at Gettysburg College, thinking.

"You see, when you get on an airplane for a cross-country flight as a philosopher, you would much rather be seated next to the person who suffers from intense airsickness the entire way than the white guy who turns and says, 'Oh, I'm kind of a philosopher, too. I LOVE Ayn Rand.'"

As you can tell, Gimbel is not a fan of Rand's philosophy of free-market economics and egoistic ethics. "If you take the writings of Nietzsche and remove everything insightful, interesting, and funny," Gimbel writes, "what's left are the writings of Ayn Rand."

And Gimbel is just getting started. He goes on to explain -- in great detail -- why Rand's work acts a "narcotic to the upper-middle-class white male of above-average means and intelligence."

And then there's this:

http://kfmonkey.blogspot.com/2009/03...ra-2009-7.html

There are two novels that can change a bookish fourteen-year old’s life: The Lord of the Rings and Atlas Shrugged. One is a childish fantasy that often engenders a lifelong obsession with its unbelievable heroes, leading to an emotionally stunted, socially crippled adulthood, unable to deal with the real world. The other, of course, involves orcs.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

I became interested in photography about a year ago after my daughter was born. I just wanted to take better quality photos. I have now worked with 3 of the premier professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area and when I talk to them, I realize I know more about the technical aspects than they do.

There are a few challenges to this statement. One, you have not done an exhaustive tests of their knowledge and yours as a reasonable comparison. Two, you likely have a confirmation bias wherein you only remember those instances which inflate your ego and ignore those when the other person demonstrates superior knowledge.

Also, I don't doubt that you have learned quite a lot in a short time, nor that you are proud of this trait in you, but the narcissism and competitiveness are borderline delusional.

I've exchanged similar comments with you in other threads. You have a chip on your shoulder and seem to ignore the intelligence of those around you unless you agree with them ideological. Sorry, but that's hardly an intelligent approach to life.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

I was a Navy Nuke and scored at the top of my class in what is said to be the third toughest school in the world. I met Mensa's guidelines but never joined. The last time I took a formal IQ test, I scored a 163.

These are quality measures. It's right for you to be proud, and I also know that they reinforce your need to feel better than those around you, which is why you like to point to them so regularly... It's a deep insecurity about who you are, and a desperate desire to be liked by those around you, so you use them as blue ribbon... like you're the best hog at the show. I must say, though, despite these accomplishments being real and respectable, the way you use them is off putting and your superiority complex is of little value to you... I suggest it and tends to do you more harm than good.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

Honestly, I can't explain it. I just seem to absorb information. Some of it is from my studies in speed reading. Some of it just came natural. Some of it came from reading 10's of thousands of books.

In any case, I am at a crossroads in my life.

This shows maturity, as you are introspecting and reaching out to others for assistance. This is both healthy and encouraging. You state something which makes you proud, acknowledge that you don't understand why you are that way, and then ask for help from others to obtain guidance because you're frustrated and stuck.

These are traits of a healthy member of society, so I want to shine light on this here.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

Currently, I am a Chief Engineer working on a critical facility for one of the Fortune 50 companies in the world. I am well paid, I work with a great team, and I like my job...but I am bored.

I see a thousand things we could do different but am met with the inevitable obstacle of that's how we always did it.

So, finally to my point, what do you do, if you are the smartest person in the room, bored, and don't have the authority to change things?

If you're so smart, you find a way to convince those around you, who to leverage, who to influence, and where to apply pressure and politics. However, you're so damned busy inflating yourself about being better than everyone else and indulging your ego by putting down others that you're forgetting what is motivating you... The desire to do things better, to implement an improved approach or solution, and gain agreement from those in the group around you to assist you in realizing your ideas.

Doesn't sound like you're so intelligent to me, if I'm to be honest. A smart person in such a prestigious role would know how to recognize the decision makers, figure out what's important to them, and frame your ideas accordingly. You would figure out who is trusted and respected and get their support before the meeting or presentation begins so you can pivot to them to help you in your crusade to convince others. You would work to ensure that your idea (if it is so good) always rise to the top. Maybe you're idea isn't as good as you think it is? Maybe it misses the bigger picture, and causes pain or flaws elsewhere which are simply unacceptable? I don't know. Maybe your idea is the best thing since pickled beets... It doesn't matter. You're so wound up into your superiority complex and narcissism that you've forgotten how to achieve the idea and make it a reality.

How about you spend less time talking about how awesome you are, how dumb everyone else is, and put a mature strategy in place to make this change? How about you grow up a little?

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

Are there any auditions out there? How do you become part of a think tank? How do you cut through the red tape and the egos in order to get to a point where you are actually making a difference instead of just adhering to idiotic policy that was put in place for no logical reason?

You might begin by being less anti-social.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

How do you get past the obstacles that are in your way just because you may be younger or different? How do you find a company that is actually looking for excellence and do you know of any interviews or auditions where somebody could prove their skills?

One answer is that I don't think the rationalizations you are making above are the true root cause of your problems. I think you are blaming the system outside of you instead of being mature enough to recognize and address the problems within you.

However, with that said, a lot of "finding" these companies or groups is about luck, perseverance, and networking skills... Interacting with many people of many different backgrounds and exploring the ideas and opportunities with them... Again, much of it's luck, but you can probably improve your odds rather significantly if you begin by no longer seeing everyone around you as some booger eating kitten fisting fucktard who's not worth your time.

Stop being such a douche and you'll probably have a better chance of realizing your dreams. That's my two cents anyway. I'm probably not smart enough to be in your presence though, so whatever.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

The one thing you haven't learned and the one thing you desparately need to learn in order to achieve the goals you have expressed is humility. A bit of empathy and compassion wouldn't go amiss either.

I don't recall asking your personal opinion of my personality. I understand that you don't approve of my stance on charity and foreign aide. That has nothing to do with this post or topic.

You asked how you could achieve your goals. Since the obstacles to their achievement lie in your personality I have no way of offering you assistance without commenting on your personality.

Your attitude to foreign aide is germane to the issue since it is indicative of a lack of empathy. It is irrelevant whether your attitude is right or wrong. What is relevant is how that attitude arose. That is very likely due to a lack of empathy. It is that same lack of empathy that is very likely making it difficult to persaude others to follow your ideas.

You can choose to ignore my observations - after all you are apparently smarter than me - or you can benefit from the advice. It's your choice. I hope you choose to listen. I especially hope you choose to listen to inow's much more detailed analysis, though we are - I think - saying much the same thing.

What I suspect will happen is that you will choose to ignore this advice because it hits far too close to home. That's a pity for me, since it will represent a failure on my part to render assistance to a fellow human while simultaneously demonstrating how frigging smart I am at changing people's personality for the better. It will be a much bigger pity for you, since you will continue through life as a frustrated (to borrow inow's expression) douche bag.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

I was a Navy Nuke and scored at the top of my class in what is said to be the third toughest school in the world. I met Mensa's guidelines but never joined. The last time I took a formal IQ test, I scored a 163.

I say all that to solicit advice and try to give background info that will make that advice applicable.

Honestly, I can't explain it. I just seem to absorb information. Some of it is from my studies in speed reading. Some of it just came natural. Some of it came from reading 10's of thousands of books.

I think there's not really that much to explain. There's a common myth in society that says all people have the same basic cognitive ability and some simply work harder than others. That's about as true as saying everyone has the same basic basketball playing ability but some work harder than others. There is certainly some truth to it, but most people could never work hard enough to be like Shaquille O'neil.

If you've got the ability, then you should develop it, and then you should never sneer at anyone who doesn't develop it. I think the reason I like Shaquille O'neil so much as an example of talent in basketball is precisely because the man displays a lot of humility. He doesn't pretend he isn't talented. He can't pretend that. Everyone knows he's talented, but he doesn't openly or visibly treat anyone as his inferior because of it.

In any case, I am at a crossroads in my life.

Currently, I am a Chief Engineer working on a critical facility for one of the Fortune 50 companies in the world. I am well paid, I work with a great team, and I like my job...but I am bored.

I see a thousand things we could do different but am met with the inevitable obstacle of that's how we always did it.

So, finally to my point, what do you do, if you are the smartest person in the room, bored, and don't have the authority to change things?

Are there any auditions out there? How do you become part of a think tank? How do you cut through the red tape and the egos in order to get to a point where you are actually making a difference instead of just adhering to idiotic policy that was put in place for no logical reason?

How do you get past the obstacles that are in your way just because you may be younger or different? How do you find a company that is actually looking for excellence and do you know of any interviews or auditions where somebody could prove their skills?

You need to go to the ultimate audition. Start your own enterprise. You shouldn't work for anyone else, not if you're really the smartest guy in the room. They should work for you, and I think most people would love to if you can really deliver the goods.

Investors are the same as workers in that respect. They love to find someone smarter than them and park their money with that guy so he can earn them a larger return. That is.... if you can deliver the goods. If you can't, then you should reassess your IQ. If don't believe you can, then you should reassess what you believe about your IQ. It sounds to me like you're a little bit insecure about it, or you wouldn't feel the need to cite your accomplishments, but you probably do have it. If you want to find out, then entrepreneurship would be the right test.

Sorry guys, didn't mean for my post to be taken as it was, but I can see why it garnered the reaction that it did.

I was trying to give you details so that you could get an idea where I am coming from. I never mention my iq in conversations. I don't brag about my background, achievements or make statements like, "I am the smartest guy in the room."

If my post came off as bragging, I apologize. That was not the intent.

As far as getting my ideas heard or acknowledged, that is not a problem with people in my immediate circle. The problem, and perhaps, the frustration about the job stems from the fact that I am in a satellite office and most of the senior leadership is in a different state which is where most of the policy is decided.

In any case, thanks for letting me vent.

http://www.thescienceforum.com/viewt...er=asc&start=0
Just cause' of the name, "John Galt".

Originally Posted by GiantEvil

http://www.thescienceforum.com/viewt...er=asc&start=0
Just cause' of the name, "John Galt".

That isn't me.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

That isn't me.

Didn't say it was. The referenced John Galt has a sense of humor.
I just wanted to reference the trash can, it amuses me.

Originally Posted by GiantEvil

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

That isn't me.

Didn't say it was. The referenced John Galt has a sense of humor.

Ok.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

As far as getting my ideas heard or acknowledged, that is not a problem with people in my immediate circle. The problem, and perhaps, the frustration about the job stems from the fact that I am in a satellite office and most of the senior leadership is in a different state which is where most of the policy is decided.

In any case, thanks for letting me vent.

People who don't have a lot of technical IQ often make up for it with political savvy. They focus on looking smart instead of being it. You can't propose an idea to a person like that unless you're planning to let them steal it and claim it for their own.

If they do accept your idea, they'll want to make a few arbitrary changes to it first, so they can claim partial authorship (or full authorship, if possible.) The worst is if they really really don't understand it at all, in which case they're apt to make changes that deprive it of its functionality.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

Currently, I am a Chief Engineer working on a critical facility for one of the Fortune 50 companies in the world. I am well paid, I work with a great team, and I like my job...but I am bored.

I see a thousand things we could do different but am met with the inevitable obstacle of that's how we always did it.

So, finally to my point, what do you do, if you are the smartest person in the room, bored, and don't have the authority to change things?

I think what you really mean is that you don't find political challenges to be interesting, and it frustrates you that the technical aspect of the business is being ignored and under appreciated by dullards who only know how to "play the game" and jockey for political status.

If they're not interested in your ideas, then you can take it for granted that they don't even know what you're doing, which means that you're probably doing five or six peoples' jobs who shouldn't even have jobs and nobody is going to know what you contribute to the company or appreciate your work.

Are there any auditions out there? How do you become part of a think tank? How do you cut through the red tape and the egos in order to get to a point where you are actually making a difference instead of just adhering to idiotic policy that was put in place for no logical reason?

As far as any of my professors have ever commented on them, most think tanks are bullshit. They exist to serve a political role, and often fill their ranks with people who couldn't hack it as academic level philosophy professors.

The government just likes to be able to claim they turned to an academic board before making certain decisions.

How do you get past the obstacles that are in your way just because you may be younger or different? How do you find a company that is actually looking for excellence and do you know of any interviews or auditions where somebody could prove their skills?

It's not a question of the organization you choose. It's a question of which part of the organization you interact with. You need to get to know people at the investment level, the people that are above all the infighting and political bullshit. At the very very very top of the organization, the owners/investors only care about the bottom line. All large organizations have politics, but investors can just cut through most of that red tape with a knife.

If a political hack tells an investor he/she thinks you're "too young" after you just intelligently described 3 ways he could amp up his ROI, that investor is likely to turn around and ask the person whether your are now officially 50 years old, or they'd like to be on his bad side, then give them a few minutes to choose their answer carefully. Investors are not people to be f%cked around with. They're the bread and butter. People can't argue against bread and butter. (So that knife they're cutting through red tape with is the "bread and butter" knife, and it is very very sharp.)

The question is: are you comfortable in a world where there are no rules? If you want someone else to give your life structure, then you're always going to be stuck in the place that structure puts you.

I literally seem to absorb information.

An ability to absorb information is pretty useless unless you also have the ability to discriminate among the golden nuggets and the bullshit.

Kojax,
have you been taken over by an alien? Your recent posts on this and several other threads are actually making sense. What a delightful turn around.

(Don't you just hate smarmy patronisation disguised as a backhanded insult? :wink: )

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

(Don't you just hate smarmy patronisation disguised as a backhanded insult? :wink: )

Personally, I love it so long as it's not directed at me.

Originally Posted by Bunbury

I literally seem to absorb information.

An ability to absorb information is pretty useless unless you also have the ability to discriminate among the golden nuggets and the bullshit.

It's also essential to be able to comprehend the nuggets and make a necklace out of them. Figuratively speaking.

Thanks guys. I appreciate all the responses. It has been enlightening.

Still no closer to a solution, but at least I feel like some of you guys understand.

Have you considered a career in research? It would mean you'd have to go back to college, but if you are as smart as you believe, you ought to excel at it. Mind you, assuming you land a PhD, there aren't so many research jobs out there anymore. But you might be able to step back into the industry at a higher level, with more capacity to make decisions and actually put right the things you perceive as wrong. It's a tough road, but potentially very rewarding for an intelligent person.

Originally Posted by TheBiologista

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

(Don't you just hate smarmy patronisation disguised as a backhanded insult? :wink: )

Personally, I love it so long as it's not directed at me.

Originally Posted by Bunbury

I literally seem to absorb information.

An ability to absorb information is pretty useless unless you also have the ability to discriminate among the golden nuggets and the bullshit.

It's also essential to be able to comprehend the nuggets and make a necklace out of them. Figuratively speaking.

True, very true. But there are many ways to make a necklace.

Originally Posted by Ophiolite

Kojax,
have you been taken over by an alien? Your recent posts on this and several other threads are actually making sense. What a delightful turn around.

(Don't you just hate smarmy patronisation disguised as a backhanded insult? :wink: )

Recently got a girlfriend. Maybe that's the same thing?

And thanks.

Originally Posted by inow

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

I became interested in photography about a year ago after my daughter was born. I just wanted to take better quality photos. I have now worked with 3 of the premier professionals in the Dallas/Fort Worth Area and when I talk to them, I realize I know more about the technical aspects than they do.

There are a few challenges to this statement. One, you have not done an exhaustive tests of their knowledge and yours as a reasonable comparison. Two, you likely have a confirmation bias wherein you only remember those instances which inflate your ego and ignore those when the other person demonstrates superior knowledge.

Also, I don't doubt that you have learned quite a lot in a short time, nor that you are proud of this trait in you, but the narcissism and competitiveness are borderline delusional.

I've exchanged similar comments with you in other threads. You have a chip on your shoulder and seem to ignore the intelligence of those around you unless you agree with them ideological. Sorry, but that's hardly an intelligent approach to life.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

I was a Navy Nuke and scored at the top of my class in what is said to be the third toughest school in the world. I met Mensa's guidelines but never joined. The last time I took a formal IQ test, I scored a 163.

These are quality measures. It's right for you to be proud, and I also know that they reinforce your need to feel better than those around you, which is why you like to point to them so regularly... It's a deep insecurity about who you are, and a desperate desire to be liked by those around you, so you use them as blue ribbon... like you're the best hog at the show. I must say, though, despite these accomplishments being real and respectable, the way you use them is off putting and your superiority complex is of little value to you... I suggest it and tends to do you more harm than good.

Originally Posted by whoisjohngalt

Honestly, I can't explain it. I just seem to absorb information. Some of it is from my studies in speed reading. Some of it just came natural. Some of it came from reading 10's of thousands of books.

In any case, I am at a crossroads in my life.

This shows maturity, as you are introspecting and reaching out to others for assistance. This is both healthy and encouraging. You state something which makes you proud, acknowledge that you don't understand something with which you are struggling, and then ask for help from others to obtain guidance because you're frustrated and stuck.

These are traits of a healthy member of society, so I want to shine light on this here.

<...>

Again, much of it's luck, but you can probably improve your odds rather significantly if you begin by no longer seeing everyone around you as some booger eating kitten fisting fucktard who's not worth your time.

Stop being such a douche.

It just felt appropriate to remind you of this.