I agree with the OP. There’s very few times when one’s IQ is appropriate to an internet discussion. If you’re telling the truth, then you ought to be able to make a good point without it. If you’re lying, then you’re basically conceding the argument because you’re lying. Intelligence should speak for itself, and hell, even smart people can belief some really stupid things for really stupid reasons.
To me, it’s not much different than someone who tries to stroke their ego by bragging about their bench max as a way to win an argument about something athletic, or claiming they went to a more prestigious school, or my personal favorite “I used to work at the CIA/FBI/NSA and I have secret information I can’t tell you about but it proves me right.” I LOVE those ones.
So yeah, whenever I see claims of IQ come into a discussion to which it isn’t directly relevant, I do find it harder to credit the rest of that persons argument.
That all said, I do think it’s important to consider that chances are the average IQ on the internet isn’t going to be 100. Consider that a lot of the lower end of the curve probably isn’t going to even be able to use a computer, and of those that can, chances are a lot of them are probably less likely to engage in discussions, so I’d guess the average IQ on the internet is probably at least a little higher, maybe 110ish. Of course, I still think that, even if it’s a believable claim, it doesn’t help one’s argument, and I’d still question people who claim obnoxious numbers.
Things were much better before domain addressing and the web, which let the riffraff in. Sure there were idiotic flame wars, but they were sophisticated idiotic flame wars.
I decided not to join Mensa because my scores were just barely adequate, so I figured I’d be one of the dumbest members. I prefer the illusion of smartness by hanging with average people.
Wait, are we talking about people who claim their IQ supports their argument? Because while I’ve seen a lot of people brag about their superior intelligence on the Dope, I’ve never seen anyone do it to win an argument.
Flaccid, and measured seconds after one emerges from a cold swimming pool.
Seriously, I’ve participated on a bunch of message boards, none of which are the type that are dominated by teenagers, gaming guilds, or other groups known for posts that make YouTube comments seem erudite in comparison. I’ve never seen the proclamations of superior individual or group intelligence and intellectualism anywhere else online but at the Straight Dope. I’ve seen the penis size contests elsewhere (“I’m only ten inches long, and …”), but not the bragging about IQ (“I’m a bit on the slow side, with an Stanford-Binet tested IQ that barely qualifies me for Mensa, and …”).
You must not frequent programming forums/news groups. There’s always one or two. Usually not directly involving IQ, but plenty of people claiming “multiple degrees in Science from Harvard and Yale”.
