I'm learning humility, I think...

Before I discovered this site, I was the smartest guy I knew! If anyone around me had an idle question about, well, just about anything, they’d come to ME for an answer. I was the king of trivia in my little corner of the world. Perhaps Fate saw this, and directed me here for a little humbling.

I found the SDMB and thought to myself, ‘Cool! Now I can impress hundreds MORE people with my daunting intelligence!’ T’was not to be. In fact, I seem to be (ack!) of average intelligence after all! Every time I see a GQ I can answer right off the top of my head, eight or nine 'o youse have already beat me to it! Hmph…I’m gonna have to stick to ‘opinion’ debates.

Seriously though, I like it here. Thanks for reading.

P.S.: By the way, have any of you had the same experience? I mean, a big fish ‘little pond---->big pond’ kinda thing. Or does one simply take it for granted, being among intellectual equals? Apologies if I come off sounding elitist, I certainly don’t mean it that way (but you should meet the people I talk to every day!).

I felt pretty similar when I got here. The feeling was soon replaced with one of appreciation, as I actually noticed my outlook broadening a bit as my mind became exposed to vastly disparate, yet well articulated, viewpoints. I’ve considered myself open-minded for a long time, and this place showed me yet again that mental dogma is like an onion. Peel a layer away, and there’s yet another layer underneath.

I like it here as well. Welcome to the boards.

I have found my personal nirvana.

I mean where else can I debate the merits of Bush vs. Gore vs. Nader, learn about the physics of tub farts, or hear someone give voice to international foreskin conspiracys?

Nowhere I tells ya!!!

And as for the OP? Oh yes indeedy. Big TIme, But I feel that I have actually grown as a person thanks to this board (and if that doesn’t sound like a cheesy testimonial, I don’t know what does).