# How many posters on SDMB actually have credentials to prove how "smart" they are? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [September 24, 2004, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911 "2004-09-24T18:14:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Knorf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/58956e/32.png) [@Knorf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knorf)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/101 "2004-09-25T16:54:35Z")
> [@Ethilrist](#): > > I object to the idea that it takes an IQ of 250 to fight ignorance. I don’t have to be smarter than _everybody_, just the ignorant people. You don’t even have to be smarter than ignorant people, just _less ignorant._ This thread is otherwise total B.S., IMHO. Actually, a more apropos way to say this is that this thread is based on an conspicuously ignorant premise. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/102 "2004-09-25T17:09:54Z")
My I.Q. has been measured at 142 to 160. I grew up in a very abusive home where my mother was convinced I was the family idiot, and even had me tested for special ed. I have speech problems and can’t say what I think. I dropped out of high school to get married and escape my mother . But I’ve never been arrested. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/103 "2004-09-25T18:11:20Z")
I won a gold fish in 4th grade for the getting highest score on a social studies test. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/104 "2004-09-25T18:13:18Z")
> [@ccwaterback](#): > > I won a gold fish in 4th grade for the getting highest score on a social studies test. And I have obviously been brain damaged ever since. ---
**Author:** ![ccwaterback](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df705f/32.png) [@ccwaterback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ccwaterback)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/105 "2004-09-25T18:19:07Z")
Oh, just one more tidbit, the most successful person I know dropped out of high school and educated himself. That is, if you measure success in dollars and cents (the US definition). ---
**Author:** ![CBCD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@CBCD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBCD)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/106 "2004-09-25T20:01:16Z")
In addition to my many other credentials, I hold an honorary degree from [here](http://www.cowboyschool.net/). ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/107 "2004-09-25T20:23:35Z")
I’ve lived long and I read. ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/108 "2004-09-25T20:26:17Z")
I won a Snow White Coloring Book in kindergarten. It’s been a bit of a draught in the winnings department since then. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/109 "2004-09-25T20:29:10Z")
> [@NurseCarmen](#): > > ```auto > > * > *** > * * * > * > * > * > * > > ``` > > Proof? You want PROOF? Okay bucko. You see that right there? Yup. I’ms a _charter member_. They don’t just hand that out to _anyone_. Damn right, at least not to people without money. I am smart because I use coupons to save money even though everyone says I shouldn’t. That shows I value financially sound decisions over social conformity. ---
**Author:** ![NewHeart\_Male](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@NewHeart\_Male](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NewHeart_Male)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/110 "2004-09-25T21:17:21Z")
> [@](#): > > **From the OP** : > > -Measureable intellectual ability - 250 IQ, Rainman or John Nash levels of intellectual superpowers Who the fuck’s Rainman? Coz I know this can’t be as dumb as I’m thinking it is. ---
**Author:** ![NewHeart\_Male](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@NewHeart\_Male](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NewHeart_Male)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/111 "2004-09-25T21:21:01Z")
> [@alice\_in\_wonderland](#): > > - Redhead > - Great rack > - Puts out > Thems all the credentials I need… > > 😃 You got my vote. ---
**Author:** ![NewHeart\_Male](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bc8723/32.png) [@NewHeart\_Male](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NewHeart_Male)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/112 "2004-09-25T21:28:20Z")
> [@Knorf](#): > > You don’t even have to be smarter than ignorant people, just _less ignorant._ > > This thread is otherwise total B.S., IMHO. Actually, a more apropos way to say this is that this thread is based on an conspicuously ignorant premise. I’m inclined to agree. One of the smartest posters on here is completely self-educated (and no, it isn’t yours truly, in case you thought I was referring to myself in an act of child-like egotism). ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2004, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/113 "2004-09-25T23:47:36Z")
> [@](#): > > And it doesn’t matter. Especially if you are specialized, like anyone with an advanced degree is, what you write about outside your speciality is no better than anyone else. Yeah, but I don’t let it stop me. In addition to physics and optics journals, I’ve had my stuff in magazines on History, mythology, and weather, and I’ve written on pop culkture in many issues of Teemings ([www.teemings.com](http://www.teemings.com) ) And I bamboozled Oxford University Press into publishing a book by me on mythology. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/114 "2004-09-26T00:00:10Z")
Wow…I find it interesting that on a board where so many people talk about “fighting ignorance”, so many of the responses are defensive, hostile or outright jokes. For example: > [@Knorf](#): > > This thread is otherwise total B.S., IMHO. Actually, a more apropos way to say this is that this thread is based on an conspicuously ignorant premise. The thread was not based on a premise at all. The thread has nothing to do with whether people with fancy book-learnin’ degrees are smarter than those without. You have to admit, it is very easy to declare yourself “educated” or “intelligent” without having to put those skills to the test. Sure a lot of dumbasses breeze through colleges, even the top ones. A lot of really smart and hard working people come out of schools too. I left the criteria intentionally vague. If you want to say you never went to college but taught yourself molecular biology on a whim, I would certainly consider that an indication of intelligence and ability. > [@lightingtool](#): > > Well, I got a 3.0, and graduated with a Technical Theatre major, … > > …I have no idea who John Nash is, so I guess I lost this one, too. Wait, so you are a theater major and never saw A Beautiful Mind? It did win an award or something! > [@NewHeart(Male)](#): > > Who the fuck’s Rainman? Tom Cruise? Dustin Hoffman? Doesn’t ring a bell? It was a movie about an autistic who could perform extraordinary numerical feats in his head. Big hit in the 80s. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/115 "2004-09-26T01:27:59Z")
Hmmm… I graduated from high school with the highest average in my province. I came in the top percent in national competitions in math, physics and chemistry. I won a full scholarship to a tough honours engineering program (my GPA 3.83, avg. for most classes was a C-). I am an MD and was asked to take over as Chief of my department after six months on the job. I speak several languages, have a couple publications and do okay financially. I know shit from shinola, and this occasionally comes through even though I never edit my posts. If I was to talk about stuff I know on the board, you would be very foolish to believe it without further analysis – regardless of my so-called credentials. This is not hostility, but healthy skepticism, which is more important to fighting personal ignorance than some self-righteous yahoo spouting off. ---
**Author:** ![Telperien](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Telperien](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telperien)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/116 "2004-09-26T01:49:35Z")
Hm. I took the SATs once and scored pretty well, 700 verbal, 630 math. I graduated high school with a 3.6 GPA. I didn’t enter college until I was twenty-two years old due to various factors. My IQ has been measured at 130 to 140. I’m due to finish a B.S. in accounting (that real enough for ya?) in three years instead of what seems to be the usual four. I store up trivia in my head fairly easily. I use large words in conversation and have the gift (or curse, depending on the day) of sounding like I know what I am talking about. People often ask me to help them with things that they have no reason to think I can help them with, and say, "“But you seem so smart!” when I tell them that I can’t help them. Often, however, I can. I speak quickly, which seems to be an indicator of intelligence to many people. I am good at taking tests. I am nearsighted and wear thick glasses, though I opt for contact lenses most of the time. My myopia has given me a sort of squinty frowny look that makes me look like I am thinking, even when there is nothing going on in my brain. I started my college career with a major in computer science, but couldn’t make any sense of it and changed after my first semester. I am a good speller but have terrible handwriting. I can write essays fairly easily; it’s a joke in my immediate family that a B.S. is far too appropriate of a degree for me to earn. So, I’m not as smart as many other Dopers, but I’m no idiot. ---
**Author:** ![DaphneBlack](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/daphneblack/32/5389_2.png) [@DaphneBlack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DaphneBlack)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/117 "2004-09-26T03:19:16Z")
I’ve never been above bragging, and since the thread I’ve started about going to Oxford (in 6 days! eek) has not provoked much hostile reaction… I won my middle school’s geography bee in grades 6, 7, 8 and qualified for the state bee each year. I graduated in May from Cornell University with a 3.95 GPA, and a BA summa cum laude in Classics, the only subject I will ever claim ‘expertise’ in… but then again, I shouldn’t claim expertise, since I am going to Oxford University (partially funded by a year-long fellowship from the American Philological Association) to get _another_ BA in classics before I go to graduate school. Daphne ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/118 "2004-09-26T03:34:28Z")
Hmmm… Well, my IQ has been measured as between 130 and 150, depending on the day and the questions. Took all of the advanced and AP classes because they were more fun, but never bothered to do any of the homework. My SATs were 1390 (650 Math / 740 Verbal) in the 11th grade, pre-recentering. I never bothered to take them again, since that was more than good enough to get me into any decent college willing to overlook my terrible grades, which was more than you would think. Got a small scholarship to a tiny but well respected college more than 300 miles from my mother, which was the most important part. Got a BA in Business Administration, with a concentration in MIS and a Comp Sci minor. I ended school with a respectable but not particularily spectacular 3.28 GPA, and decided that I never really needed to go to school ever again. I immediately got a job as a systems analyst, a job I’m extremely good at and enjoy immensely when they’re not working me 60 hours a week. In other words, I’m bright, but no genius. I test well, read a lot of novels, and have a prodigious memory for random facts. I use big words that seem normal to me but confuse the average man on the street. I could never be considered a scholar in any sense of the word, but a lot of people seem to think that I am, or should be. I’m also bright enough to not judge anyone’s intelligence on their education or job credentials. I give outsiders the general impression of being smarter than my husband, but we both know that I will never be the kind of programmer that he is, and that I would be lost in day to day life without him as I don’t have a lick of common sense. I judge the people I meet online based on the quality of their posts, not on what they do in real life. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/119 "2004-09-26T03:47:14Z")
Can’t help you. I’m just a 'tard. Always have been, always will be. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [September 26, 2004, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-many-posters-on-sdmb-actually-have-credentials-to-prove-how-smart-they-are/265911/120 "2004-09-26T05:38:19Z")
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