# A debate on the intelligence of SDMB posters

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [July 19, 2002, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799 "2002-07-19T13:34:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 5

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![pravnik](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8edcca/32.png) [@pravnik](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pravnik)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799/81 "2002-07-24T07:15:46Z")

</div>

No joke, man. Sesame Steet. Support PBS.

Yeah, I should backpedal on the “college level” qualifier. I was assuming that the ability to read anything you’re shown made you a “college level” reader, but the more I think about it that isn’t so. At that young an age you just don’t have the life experience to put together what you’re reading. Reading an article about the President of the United States doesn’t make sense if you don’t know who “the President” is or what “the United States” are. So I have to admit that’s a meaningless statement. I am chastised.

But that’s nothing. Have I told you all of the blinding speed in which I was toilet trained?😃

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Primaflora](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/898d66/32.png) [@Primaflora](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Primaflora)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 7:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799/82 "2002-07-24T07:48:18Z")

</div>

Pravnik,

I think you’re stretching for the concept of word recognition, rather than independent reading with comprehension. It’s the difference between using a test like the Schonell which tests solely for word recognition and goes up to a college level and using a test which tests for comprehension and understanding.

Hyperlexia’s a form of autism where the kids figure out how to read astoundingly young but have little or no comprehension. I find that to be incredible. How did their brains figure it all out? What did hyperlexic kids do before print was readily available?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Andy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/aeb1de/32.png) [@Andy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Andy)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799/83 "2002-07-24T08:27:36Z")

</div>

Of course the _really_ smart people wouldn’t even bother to open a thread like this, never mind grace it with a reply.  
We know how smart we are.

Er, hang on a minute…D’oh!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Mandelstam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Mandelstam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mandelstam)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799/84 "2002-07-24T13:56:43Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by RickJay \*  
> \*\*Good luck on your bar exam. Don’t take it the way Mandlestam took her driver’s license test. \*\*

:o

:looks at shiny new driver’s license:

:looks at skin of butt:

I dunno, **Rick**. He could probably do worse.  
Seriously, **pravnik** , nail that bar exam. 🙂

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Banger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8491ac/32.png) [@Banger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banger)\
**Post date:** [July 24, 2002, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799/85 "2002-07-24T16:26:52Z")

</div>

I’m not as smart as I think I am. I’m actually pretty dumb, but I think I’m incredibly intelligent.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-debate-on-the-intelligence-of-sdmb-posters/119799.md?page=4)