smartest? really?

[schitlman]

I am convinced that Isaac Asimov was in fact smarter than the amalgam (literally, a gold-mercury alloy) known as Cecil Adams. After reading a few hundred columns, I grudgingly admit that the Hydra - oops, I meant Cecil - may be smarter than me. I find myself relegated to the Number Three spot, which is fine because I'd rather not be Number Two, if you know what I mean... and I think you do.

[Fear Itself]

The claim for Cecil is that he is the world's most intelligent human being. Inasmuch as Isaac Asimov has not been in the world in nearly 20 years, that claim is not contradicted by your assertion.

It seems you will have to settle for Number Two after all. Life stinks sometimes.

[Exapno Mapcase]

It's worse than that.

Asimov himself said that Carl Sagan and Marvin Minsky were smarter than he was.

And I'm smarter than Cecil.

You'll just have to try harder.

[astro]

Originally Posted by schitlman

I am convinced that Isaac Asimov was in fact smarter than the amalgam (literally, a gold-mercury alloy) known as Cecil Adams. After reading a few hundred columns, I grudgingly admit that the Hydra - oops, I meant Cecil - may be smarter than me. I find myself relegated to the Number Three spot, which is fine because I'd rather not be Number Two, if you know what I mean... and I think you do.

My... my God! It's all so clear now! You've cracked the case!

Thank you Mr. Holmes.

[Mangetout]

Originally Posted by schitlman

...amalgam (literally, a gold-mercury alloy)...

Amalgam is an alloy of mercury and other metals, not limited to gold. The most common is probably silver, which is used in dentistry and also occurs naturally (albeit rarely).

Looks like you might not get that number three spot after all. I'm not even sure you made the top ten.

[surrounded by literalists]

Carl Sagan was not only the smartest, but he was also the sexiest. Sorry, Cecil, but sometimes a girl needs a visual.

[Ludovic]

Originally Posted by surrounded by literalists

Carl Sagan was not only the smartest, but he was also the sexiest. Sorry, Cecil, but sometimes a girl needs a visual.

Not according to xkcd.

[schitlman]

My goodness, such a firestorm of vitriol and contumely! I never dreamt that my innocent (but true) estimation of my powers and abilities would warrant so much attention. Re: Asimov, the masthead reads "World's Smartest Human", not "LIVING human", so he STILL counts. As for Carl Sagan, also dead, my respect is great indeed - but having heard both him and Dr Asimov, I prefer Asimov. Thanks for the criticisms, and we'll see you all on the Web.

[TriPolar]

Don't get all full of yourselves. Mr. Peabody was smarter than all of you, and he was a dog.

[Freakenstein]

Originally Posted by schitlman

I am convinced that Isaac Asimov was in fact smarter than the amalgam (literally, a gold-mercury alloy) known as Cecil Adams. After reading a few hundred columns, I grudgingly admit that the Hydra - oops, I meant Cecil - may be smarter than me. I find myself relegated to the Number Three spot, which is fine because I'd rather not be Number Two, if you know what I mean... and I think you do.

'convinced' - really smart people hardly make such strong statements, but instead use weasel words 'cause they ( we ) know the absolute truth can't be known, I think
'gold-mercury' - nothing says not-smart clearer than showing off with false information
'Isaac Asimov' - like others said he disagrees with You on this point, do You think You know better than him ( i.e. You're smarter than him - so what's Your position again? )
'smarter than me' - and You still disagree with Cecil?
'Hydra' - at least four definitions, none of them really describes Cecil. Did You meant he has nine heads ( which all are smarter than You ) or that he's on a level of a polyp ( and still smarter than You )?
'number two' - dirty equivocality makes You look desperate
'you do' - Yep, 'cause We're smarter than You are

And this isn't a comment to any column so it's in the wrong forum.

Originally Posted by schitlman

My goodness, such a firestorm of vitriol and contumely! I never dreamt that my innocent (but true) estimation of my powers and abilities would warrant so much attention. Re: Asimov, the masthead reads "World's Smartest Human", not "LIVING human", so he STILL counts. As for Carl Sagan, also dead, my respect is great indeed - but having heard both him and Dr Asimov, I prefer Asimov. Thanks for the criticisms, and we'll see you all on the Web.

'vitriol and contumely' - they were quite easy on You
'I never dreamt' - You obviously lack some savvy
'smartest' - there's about a dozen definitions to this word, so there could about a dozen smartest humans
'I prefer' - it really isn't about Your preferences
'criticisms' - this is just education
'see you all' - really?

[Irishman]

Originally Posted by Freakenstein

And this isn't a comment to any column so it's in the wrong forum.

It's about Cecil, so it's probably the right forum.

[Irishman]

schitlman, the thing is, when you claim to be the smartest, you immediately get people trying to prove you wrong. Witness your response to Cecil's claim. Ergo, you had to expect the responses you're getting.

[Yllaria]

Sorry, I'm to bemused with the thought of Asimov doing a blog to comment on topic. Damn, that would have been nice.

[njtt]

Originally Posted by schitlman

I'd rather not be Number Two, if you know what I mean... and I think you do.

Yet you chose the username schitlman.

[Thudlow Boink]

Originally Posted by Exapno Mapcase

It's worse than that.

Asimov himself said that Carl Sagan and Marvin Minsky were smarter than he was.

I seem to recall him saying something similar about Martin Gardner, as well.

[aldiboronti]

Cecil isn't smart because he knows more than everyone else; he's smart because he knows where to get the answers. It's no accident that he's a librarian by profession.

[Freakenstein]

Originally Posted by Irishman

It's about Cecil, so it's probably the right forum.

Maybe You are right, but I assumed it rather should have been in 'About This Message Board', because it isn't about any particular column.

[Irishman]

ATMB is more functional stuff. Fawning over Cecil goes in Columns.

[Indian]

It was stated so, by a Doper. I don't remember the thread.

So it turns out that, Dopers are the smartest of the lot.

[Exapno Mapcase]

Originally Posted by aldiboronti

Cecil isn't smart because he knows more than everyone else; he's smart because he knows where to get the answers. It's no accident that he's a librarian by profession.

Say what?

[Learjeff]

Originally Posted by Ludovic

Not according to xkcd.

xkd is the smartest. Funniest, too.

[Andy L]

Originally Posted by Indian

It was stated so, by a Doper. I don't remember the thread.

So it turns out that, Dopers are the smartest of the lot.

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...31&postcount=3