# People on the Internet sure are smart! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 6, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780 "2010-07-06T21:39:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/21 "2010-07-07T20:13:01Z")
> [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > As a kid I reported a genius IQ but I’d eat my hat if that’s still true. I mean, not really, hats taste horrible… Not [these hats](http://www.markpeterhughes.com/photos/20070600LMAcrossAmerica/SDtoIN/08WI_1_CheeseHeads.JPG)! _Rimshot_ ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/22 "2010-07-07T20:13:06Z")
> [@Electric\_Warrior](#): > > Isn’t IQ also age-based? IE, a measurement of your mental development in relation to other people your age? It’s possible that some people report IQ scores they received during childhood (often for tests to see if they fit into a ‘gifted and talented education’ program), because their brains developed faster. As a kid I reported a genius IQ but I’d eat my hat if that’s still true. I mean, not really, hats taste horrible, but I seriously doubt I am a genius. Our district doesn’t test anyone for the GATE program until the end of 2nd grade for exactly this reason. I think IQ tests are usually given a bit later, after most of the age related variance goes away. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/23 "2010-07-07T20:13:56Z")
Mine tested at 110 years and years ago; So, I guess I get to lead the group of people in the padded room. 😃 COLORING TIME! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/24 "2010-07-07T20:15:41Z")
If the 186 IQ crowd is snubbing you, there’s always [Michelle Wie](http://mondesishouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/michelle-wie-is-no-phi-beta-kappa.html): \*MODERATOR: I was thinking about it, and when Michelle won the LPGA tournament that she won earlier in the year, I was thinking I believe you were the only college student to ever win a tournament in the LPGA Tour. That’s another little feather in your cap. Just tell us a little bit. You won a tournament now. You’re still in college. Are you a Phi Beta Kappa yet? MICHELLE WIE: No sorority for me yet, but it’s been fun. It’s been a lot of fun. You know, it’s great, but I want to do better this year, and I just want to keep doing better and better. College is fun; it’s a lot of hard work. It all pays off in the end.\* 😃 ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/25 "2010-07-07T21:12:38Z")
The only IQ test I’ve ever taken was in high school; they tested my entire class and after the results came in we were each called into the counselor’s office to find out how we did. Except that in my case he refused to tell me what my IQ was. This was 40 years ago so my memory is a bit hazy, but as I recall his reason was something along the lines of “you scored high enough that we feel you knowing the number would not be a good idea.” I was an above-average student, but nowhere near the head of my class. I always tested well, though, and whenever we were given standardized tests I was near, if not at, the top of the list (to the constant annoyance of the class valedictorian, who was very competitive and hated that I got higher scores them him). I’ve never been tempted to get tested since then so I have no idea what range I might have been. Nor do I really care. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/26 "2010-07-07T22:18:07Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I’m curious about what it said in her profile. What does she do? Unknown. Her profile, under “what I’m doing with my life” says: > [@](#): > > … I’m un-Google-able… So sounds like she’s a loafer, basically. ---
**Author:** ![Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/malleus_incus_stapes/32/3293_2.png) [@Malleus\_Incus\_Stapes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malleus_Incus_Stapes)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/27 "2010-07-07T22:21:57Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > The only IQ test I’ve ever taken was in high school; they tested my entire class and after the results came in we were each called into the counselor’s office to find out how we did. Except that in my case he refused to tell me what my IQ was. This was 40 years ago so my memory is a bit hazy, but as I recall his reason was something along the lines of “you scored high enough that we feel you knowing the number would not be a good idea.” I was an above-average student, but nowhere near the head of my class. I always tested well, though, and whenever we were given standardized tests I was near, if not at, the top of the list (to the constant annoyance of the class valedictorian, who was very competitive and hated that I got higher scores them him). They gave you that line, too? I was starting to wonder if the guy who tested me was the only one who did that, because nobody else mentioned something like that. Actually my guy lied; he told me twenty points less than I really scored, and I didn’t know any different until my father slipped up. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/28 "2010-07-07T22:53:27Z")
> [@pbbth](#): > > I’ve never had my IQ tested. Where would I go to do that? I’m sure I can find a billion online tests but how do I know that the test is accurate? I can imagine myself coming back with a high score and being excited only to find that I used the wrong tool.\* I don’t know where you are, but I had a teacher tell me that generally most American IQs are relative to their SAT scores (the old ones. I don’t know anything about the new ones.) You chop off the last zero on your total SAT score and it’s supposedly close to your IQ. I think the average SAT score was 1000, so that would jive with the average IQ being 100. ---
**Author:** ![Fe\_Male](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ccd318/32.png) [@Fe\_Male](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fe_Male)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/29 "2010-07-07T22:54:09Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Unknown. Her profile, under “what I’m doing with my life” says: > So sounds like she’s a loafer, basically. Ah, but what’s delightful is that by posting a snippet from her profile here, you’ve made her quite Google-able. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/30 "2010-07-07T23:12:40Z")
> [@Ruby Sees](#): > > I don’t know where you are, but I had a teacher tell me that generally most American IQs are relative to their SAT scores (the old ones. I don’t know anything about the new ones.) You chop off the last zero on your total SAT score and it’s supposedly close to your IQ. I think the average SAT score was 1000, so that would jive with the average IQ being 100. What about GRE scores? I scored 120 points higher on the GRE than I did on the SAT. _hopeful that maybe I can fit in with the internet geniuses after all_ ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/31 "2010-07-07T23:15:53Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > I have an important announcement to make, you guys. > > I’ve had my IQ tested, but…I’m pretty sure I’m around average intelligence. > > :eek: > > I’m really good at language sorts of things, but to balance it out, I’m absolutely atrocious at math. > > If only my years of internetting had made me so smart. All it’s done, as far as I can tell, is made my spelling worse. > > I feel so stupid compared to everyone else. _crying forever_ That’s ok **Kyla** just remember you are in one of the most exclusive, elite and dare I say coolest groups ever, July 29 Dopers. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/32 "2010-07-07T23:25:50Z")
> [@Chessic\_Sense](#): > > If I say I have an IQ between 130 and 145, is that too high to be realistic? Would you believe me? Barring compelling evidence otherwise in your posts, I’d believe you. There are people in the 99th percentile, and I bet a lot of them play chess. Can anyone direct me to a study that supports the assumption IQ follows a normal distribution? That the slope on the right isn’t more gradual, that there isn’t a bimodal distribution? ---
**Author:** ![Susie\_Derkins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Susie\_Derkins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susie_Derkins)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/33 "2010-07-07T23:52:01Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Mine tested at 110 years and years ago; So, I guess I get to lead the group of people in the padded room. 😃 > COLORING TIME! Mine was 118 when I was tested at a young age. Yesterday I forgot how old I am. I’ll try not to eat the crayons! ---
**Author:** ![Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jimmy\_Chitwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimmy_Chitwood)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/34 "2010-07-08T00:17:23Z")
> [@Fe\_Male](#): > > Ah, but what’s delightful is that by posting a snippet from her profile here, you’ve made her quite Google-able. Is it a coincidence that this is your first post, or is this my favorite thing that has ever happened on the internet? ---
**Author:** ![lavenderviolet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/cdc98d/32.png) [@lavenderviolet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lavenderviolet)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/35 "2010-07-08T00:28:51Z")
It would be interesting to start a thread to find out what the lowest IQ anyone will admit to having is. I’d be interested if anyone would admit to having a \<100 IQ on here. In my work I have interacted with both extremes (numerous very intelligent, well-educated colleagues and also with patients who were intellectually impaired). It’s not that hard to communicate across IQ groups. Sure, while more intelligent people may tend to use more complex vocabulary and sentence structure, it’s not like it’s impossible to communicate. This lady is a good example of why so many people think that very high IQ kids shouldn’t be told their IQ. She has probably spent her whole life having a hard time in social situations and probably telling herself it’s because she is just too smart for normal people to comprehend what she says. She’d probably have a happier life if she was more open to talking to normal people. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/36 "2010-07-08T00:38:30Z")
If anyone asks IRL I just say I don’t know. I was tested 3 times between 5 and 12, and got scores varying by 30 points. Plus I’m strong in some areas, and \*really \*weak in others. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/37 "2010-07-08T00:57:16Z")
When I was around 20, I actually sent away for a take-at-home Mensa test (I must have read an article about it). I sat at the kitchen table with Mom as a timekeeper (no cheating was involved, we were totally serious about it) and filled in the pages, sent them off, and waited to hear the result. Some weeks later, I got the results - I was not a genius, but my IQ was waaaaay up there compared to the general population. Didn’t surprise anyone. That, and 50 cents, got me a cup of coffee and I never brought it up to anyone. Didn’t seem to make any difference in great jobs or scintillating relationships or a life of wealth and luxury, or anything - I think I just lucked out by making a comfortable secure marriage! (today, while I am a fountain of useless trivia and information, I doubt I would have such a high score, I’m at that stage where when I come into a room, I have to think…why am I in here again?) ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/38 "2010-07-08T00:59:04Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > Unknown. Her profile, under “what I’m doing with my life” says: > > So sounds like she’s a loafer, basically. Per **Rig** ’s request, I edited out the quoted material to keep her ungoogleable – but if this was a dating site, she was using a pseudonym, so quoting her wouldn’t necessarily blow her cover, right? Oh dear, I’m not smart enough to figure all of this out … 😛 **twickster** , MPSIMS mod ---
**Author:** ![Sunspace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunspace/32/1250_2.png) [@Sunspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunspace)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/39 "2010-07-08T01:03:33Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > Mine tested at 110 years and years ago; So, I guess I get to lead the group of people in the padded room. 😃 > COLORING TIME! I’ve never had mine officially tested, but I got a 106 on one of those Internet tests. Can I come over and play? I have Legos. [sub]I got 160 on another of those Internet tests, so now I don’t believe them at all.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Celyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9dc877/32.png) [@Celyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Celyn)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2010, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780/40 "2010-07-08T01:14:28Z")
> [@Susie\_Derkins](#): > > Mine was 118 when I was tested at a young age. Yesterday I forgot how old I am. > > I’ll try not to eat the crayons! Oh, you can eat some of the crayons but you should avoid the green ones as they might not be ripe yet. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-on-the-internet-sure-are-smart/545780.md?page=3)