
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.
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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.