# Are Dopers particularly smart? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [December 18, 2016, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094 "2016-12-18T23:45:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/61 "2016-12-20T21:25:48Z")
That’s why so many drift here. Nobody pays them any attention in their natural habitat. ---
**Author:** ![Damuri\_Ajashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/898d66/32.png) [@Damuri\_Ajashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Damuri_Ajashi)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/62 "2016-12-20T21:38:47Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > You spelled it wrong. It’s “wut”, no punctuation, like this: > > wut wut is for when you are trying to say “What?” as in What did I do or what did i say or why are you looking at me like that? Whut? is for when you are trying to say “Im a stupid hill billy that doesn’t understand the words coming out of your mouth” Its pronounced “whuuuut?” ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2016, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/63 "2016-12-20T22:42:26Z")
The Internet Chess Club generally has smarter people logged in … but that’s not really a “discussion site” … although it has chat features … I once had some questions about the Glicko chess rating system … and Bob Glicko contacted me from Boston University to straighten me out … the answer was no, there is no “conversion formula” between Glicko and Elo … they measure different things … but it was nice getting that information from the source … If you want to know why the World Chess Champion made such-and-such a move … you can ask him next time he logs in … ---
**Author:** ![Uzi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/91b2a8/32.png) [@Uzi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Uzi)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/64 "2016-12-22T04:20:55Z")
> [@Grrr](#): > > Indeed. Sometimes I’ll get into debate with friends on FB. It often feels like I’m sparring with a 5yo. Sometimes I’ll even hold back because I feel embarrassed for the guy I’m debating with. Calling your grandma a fucking idiot on FB doesn’t go over too well with the family for some reason.😕 I’ve limited my contributions to FB discussions to the occasional Snopes article when someone posts something totally egregious to rational thought. I’ve found it stops their nonsense pretty quickly without having to get into an argument. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/65 "2016-12-22T04:43:28Z")
I for one would like the mods to be more aggressive in weeding out idiots and trolls. There are a lot of really smart people in here, but most of the time in GD or Elections, the thread has been totally derailed by the second page. ---
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 4:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/66 "2016-12-22T04:48:18Z")
I don’t want to sound like a suck-up but sometimes I feel like **Stranger On A Train** is smarter than all other dopers combined, the guy is like a super computer or something. ---
**Author:** ![Thing\_Fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@Thing\_Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing_Fish)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/67 "2016-12-22T04:51:09Z")
I personally feel that **Chronos** must be some sort of alien or half-deity or something. ---
**Author:** ![Ulfreida](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ulfreida/32/8014_2.png) [@Ulfreida](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulfreida)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/68 "2016-12-22T04:54:38Z")
Anecdotally only, of course, but I frequent many different kinds of discussion boards and have for many years, and this is the only one where I don’t feel smarter than everyone else. Quite the contrary in fact. Frankly, it’s disturbing. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/69 "2016-12-22T05:20:56Z")
My brain is my cite – I’m so smart that it hurts. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/70 "2016-12-22T13:22:18Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > My brain is my cite – I’m so smart that it hurts. Dude, you’re hungover. Remember last night? ---
**Author:** ![Calico\_Jack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calico_jack/32/7320_2.png) [@Calico\_Jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calico_Jack)\ **Post date:** [December 22, 2016, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/71 "2016-12-22T23:58:44Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > As I’ve hung out here, I’ve noticed that this place likes to pat itself on the back a lot and think of itself as intelligent, educated, intellectual, etc. Is there any evidence that the average Doper is smarter than the average poster on any of these places: > > [ul] > [li]Reddit[/li][li]Democratic Underground[/li][li]Breitbart comments section[/li][li]Tumblr[/li][li]Stormfront[/li][/ul] > (just to provide some examples / food for thought) > > If I asked for a cite, is there anything that could be provided? Or does this idea (that Dopers are particularly intelligent) belong in the realm of unproven (and perhaps unprovable) theory / myth? The discussion quality here is overall a lot better than any of the websites you mentioned (or virtually any political or religion-oriented message board I’ve been to) I’ll just say that much. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/72 "2016-12-23T19:13:47Z")
I can only offer a mix of conjecture and anecdotal observations, but I’d make the following points in favor of an affirmative answer: [ul] [li]The number of professionals and posters with advanced degrees who consistently offer authoritative responses to technical – usually scientific – questions.[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]The generally informed level of discourse, with of course the usual exceptions.[/li][/ul] [ul] [li]The clarity and style of writing, grammar, and punctuation (with of course the usual exceptions).[/li][/ul] When there tends to be a preponderance of clearly written knowledgeable posts, it seems to be a distinct differentiation from the noise and drivel that pervades most of the Internet. I don’t think any of the cites mentioned in the OP are even in the running, and some of them (Breitbart??? :D) are just a ridiculous comparison. ---
**Author:** ![HurricaneDitka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/96bed5/32.png) [@HurricaneDitka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HurricaneDitka)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/73 "2016-12-23T19:22:00Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > I don’t think any of the cites mentioned in the OP are even in the running, and some of them (Breitbart??? :D) are just a ridiculous comparison. They were all intended as ridiculous comparisons. I thought including DU and Stormfront made that obvious. ---
**Author:** ![Calico\_Jack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calico_jack/32/7320_2.png) [@Calico\_Jack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calico_Jack)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/74 "2016-12-23T19:24:04Z")
While quality of discussion is pretty good, I’m seeing too high a percentage indoctrinated progressive talk radio listeners who think they’re “smart” because Thom Hartmann or Ed Schultz told them so, or because “knowing that talking snakes aren’t real” is the pinnacle of intelligence. Not to mention too many “evangelical Humanists” who seem to think it’s their duty to god, (I mean John Stewart Mill) to save the masses from hell (I mean “ignorance”) by converting them to their religion (er, I mean ‘their lack of belief in a god’). Unfortunately on way too many sites that use terms like “science” or “ignorance” in their branding, you run into way too many of these indoctrinated Humanists out to ‘spread the good news about evolution or whatnot’ to the infidels; similar to how on websites with terms like “Freedom” and “Liberty” you run into high percentage of indoctrinated Limbaugh listeners. Other than that the site is alright, just wish there was a way to filter the partisans from the members who are here for serious discussion. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/75 "2016-12-23T19:27:11Z")
It’s not like this is some genius club, no. But you have only to go to the more popular sites to see that the average intelligence here is higher. One thing that’s harder here is that I’m used to being the smartest person in the room. Online, I’m usually trying to help people learn things. Here, that often winds up happening to me. I’m not as stupid as some people think, but I’m still nowhere near the smartest in the room. The thing is, when the smart people start catastrophizing, then people should pay attention. When the climate scientists are backing up their information because they aren’t sure what will happen, that means there’s something wrong. The chance is small, but high enough that they want to cover their asses. It does not mean that smart people have suddenly become crazy. It means that things are actually bad, unlike when the anti-intellectuals are worried, which means basically nothing. (other than we need to try and get through to them and comfort them). ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/76 "2016-12-23T19:29:24Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > They were all intended as ridiculous comparisons. I thought including DU and Stormfront made that obvious. Then why did you ask the apparently serious question “Is there any evidence that the average Doper is smarter than the average poster on any of these places?” – and add the postscript comment “(just to provide some examples / food for thought)”? If you already know that the answer to your question is obviously “yes”, your OP seems to have no purpose. ---
**Author:** ![Procrustus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/procrustus/32/2994_2.png) [@Procrustus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Procrustus)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/77 "2016-12-23T19:30:59Z")
> [@Calico\_Jack](#): > > While quality of discussion is pretty good, I’m seeing too high a percentage indoctrinated progressive talk radio listeners who think they’re “smart” because Thom Hartmann or Ed Schultz told them so, or because “knowing that talking snakes aren’t real” is the pinnacle of intelligence. > . In all my years here, I have never heard anyone quote or refer to Thom Hartmann or Ed Schultz. I’m not saying it has never happened, but if it has, it’s a rare occurrence. ETA: I do find rejection of belief in the supernatural to be a sign of intelligence. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/78 "2016-12-23T19:33:12Z")
> [@Calico\_Jack](#): > > While quality of discussion is pretty good, I’m seeing too high a percentage indoctrinated progressive talk radio listeners who think they’re “smart” because Thom Hartmann or Ed Schultz told them so, or because “knowing that talking snakes aren’t real” is the pinnacle of intelligence. > > Not to mention too many “evangelical Humanists” who seem to think it’s their duty to god, (I mean John Stewart Mill) to save the masses from hell (I mean “ignorance”) by converting them to their religion (er, I mean ‘their lack of belief in a god’). > > Unfortunately on way too many sites that use terms like “science” or “ignorance” in their branding, you run into way too many of these indoctrinated Humanists out to ‘spread the good news about evolution or whatnot’ to the infidels; similar to how on websites with terms like “Freedom” and “Liberty” you run into high percentage of indoctrinated Limbaugh listeners. > > Other than that the site is alright, just wish there was a way to filter the partisans from the members who are here for serious discussion. You’re seeing a lot of straw men, apparently, not Dopers, since you’re not really describing real posters here. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/79 "2016-12-23T19:44:00Z")
> [@Calico\_Jack](#): > > While quality of discussion is pretty good, I’m seeing too high a percentage indoctrinated progressive talk radio listeners who think they’re “smart” because Thom Hartmann or Ed Schultz told them so, or because “knowing that talking snakes aren’t real” is the pinnacle of intelligence. What decade are _you_ posting from? Progressive talk radio? Thom Hartmann? Ed Schultz? Ghod, that brings back memories. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 23, 2016, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094/80 "2016-12-23T20:23:49Z")
> [@HurricaneDitka](#): > > They were all intended as ridiculous comparisons. I thought including DU and Stormfront made that obvious. Your OP did not give the slightest indication that you were not serious about the comparison. There is virtually no statement or position so ridiculous that some poster has made it in all apparent seriousness. So if you want to be taken seriously you should indicate clearly when you are making facetious statements. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-dopers-particularly-smart/775094.md?page=5)