# Signs you use to assess a person's intelligence **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 8, 2011, 1:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255 "2011-07-08T01:17:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![rjk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ed655f/32.png) [@rjk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjk)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/41 "2011-07-08T17:05:43Z")
> [@Vihaga](#): > > > [@](#): > > > > Originally Posted by Cat Whisperer > > “Dumb people talk about other people. Average people talk about events. Intelligent people talk about ideas.” > > I actually think it is. I work with extremely intelligent people on a daily basis, and they talk about events and people just like everyone else. I think confirmation bias is hugely at play with this ridiculous rule. Cat Whispwerer’s rule might be too sweeping, but not bad with a little rewrite: “Dumb people **only** talk about other people. Average people **only** talk about events and other people. Intelligent people talk about _everything_.” ---
**Author:** ![Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9d8465/32.png) [@Swallowed\_My\_Cellphone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Swallowed_My_Cellphone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/42 "2011-07-08T17:23:54Z")
> [@Staggerlee](#): > > I consider people wise when they don’t make assumptions about other people’s intelligence based on little and immediate evidence. Well, duh! ---
**Author:** ![Apollon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47774/32.png) [@Apollon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Apollon)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/43 "2011-07-08T17:27:58Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Not that I necessarily disagree with this one, but at Mensa events I was frequently surprised at how many smokers were present. It seemed to be about the same ratio of smokers to nonsmokers as any other group. A high intelligence and poor judgement are, of course, not mutually exclusive. For me, the most reliable sign of intelligence is when someone doesn’t shy away from mental challenges. It’s not about how well they do at them, but that they are keen to accept them. Another sign is doubt. Especially when they question their own statements. People who pause in the middle of their sentences, as if to double-check the accuracy of their statement, are usually highly intelligent, even if it’s hard and irritating trying to follow them. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/44 "2011-07-08T17:31:04Z")
> [@Vihaga](#): > > I actually think it is. I work with extremely intelligent people on a daily basis, and they talk about events and people just like everyone else. I think confirmation bias is hugely at play with this ridiculous rule. I was thinking about this a bit more, and it occurred to me that I often don’t talk about ideas with other people because I either don’t want to come across as, “Oh, look at YOU, with the big brains!” or I don’t think the other person would be interested in them. I wouldn’t deny that there might be some confirmation bias involved here. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > **Signs you use to assess a person’s intelligence** > > The biggest factor in my book… are they a longtime member of the SDMB? 😃 Heck, that just means that they’re good bullshitters. 😃 > [@Vihaga](#): > > \ If you define “smart” as “articulate,” for example, your judgment never fails. Heh. You make a good point, too - my husband is one of the smartest people I know, but he doesn’t talk much. He understands everything, all the time, but he doesn’t tell anyone about it. > [@rjk](#): > > Cat Whispwerer’s rule might be too sweeping, but not bad with a little rewrite: > “Dumb people **only** talk about other people. Average people **only** talk about events and other people. Intelligent people talk about _everything_.” Not bad, not bad. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/45 "2011-07-08T17:48:01Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > It’s in the eyes- smart people’s eyes flit about, and you can tell that they’re taking things in, processing thoughts, etc. Dumb people’s eyes just stare blankly at you or at shiny things. I was going to say much the same thing. You can tell someone is intelligent by the way they pay attention to you. Maybe it’s the way they hold eye-contact, maybe it’s something else…they can be very sleepy, they can be making inconsequential small-talk about eggs in a grocery line, they can be distracted, but they somehow give off a subliminal impression of many gears wheeling behind their eyes. Also: in general, I think a good measure of intelligence is how quickly you can learn something. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/46 "2011-07-08T18:00:00Z")
> [@Alice\_The\_Goon](#): > > It’s in the eyes- smart people’s eyes flit about, and you can tell that they’re taking things in, processing thoughts, etc. Dumb people’s eyes just stare blankly at you or at shiny things. > [@gallows\_fodder](#): > > I was going to say much the same thing. You can tell someone is intelligent by the way they pay attention to you. Maybe it’s the way they hold eye-contact, maybe it’s something else…they can be very sleepy, they can be making inconsequential small-talk about eggs in a grocery line, they can be distracted, but they somehow give off a subliminal impression of many gears wheeling behind their eyes. > Also: in general, I think a good measure of intelligence is how quickly you can learn something. Pretty much the same here. I call it a vibe or spark of life, but that certainly isn’t a solid explanation, just poetry. People like that aren’t necessarily intelligent as in smart, but more intelligent as in self-aware, clued, observant. They’ll actually listen to what you’re saying and consider it, not just listening to their internal track that most closely matches what you’re saying. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/47 "2011-07-08T18:06:34Z")
Ability to detect and communicate humor in the form of irony. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/48 "2011-07-08T18:28:37Z")
> [@Cat\_Whisperer](#): > > Not bad, not bad. 🙂 I think your saying is largely true as well, although I like to think of it as permeable concentric circles representing both ability and tendency. That is, fewer people are able and willing to discuss ideas. These people tend to be more intelligent than those who are only able and willing to discuss other people. Of course everyone discusses ideas on some occasions, just as everyone discusses people and events now and then. But the more able and willing you are to discuss ideas the more likely you are to be intelligent, in my experience. ---
**Author:** ![Foxy40](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a9a28c/32.png) [@Foxy40](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Foxy40)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/49 "2011-07-08T18:47:20Z")
> [@Chefguy](#): > > A good rule of thumb for me is a quick wit. Intelligent people make relevant and witty remarks. Knuckleheads often make sexist or racist jokes. I agree. Those who are able to make quick witty comebacks or use sarcasm but not in an ugly way seem to be the brightest people I know. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/50 "2011-07-08T19:18:05Z")
And also, I’ve heard that intelligence is positively correlated with anxiety disorders. In a way, ignorance (due to low inquisitiveness) is bliss. > **[Connection between intelligence and anxiety](http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?1166-Connection-between-intelligence-and-anxiety)** > > The Anxiety Forum is a free worldwide community for those struggling with anxiety, fear, or panic attacks. Over 100,000 members and growing daily! Does anyone have a link to an actual study? ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/51 "2011-07-08T19:24:57Z")
> [@GIGObuster](#): > > Were you in the same plane I flew last week? The person next to me seemed at the beginning to be fairly intelligent, until I noticed his _Chariots of the Gods_ book. I have to read a lot of shit. You’re probably right about this guy, but you never know; maybe he was reading it so he could debunk it to his woo-woo sister-in-law. > [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Not that I necessarily disagree with this one, but at Mensa events I was frequently surprised at how many smokers were present. It seemed to be about the same ratio of smokers to nonsmokers as any other group. Don’t know how long ago or where this was, but it’s really not like that here (and now). Most events don’t even bother to have accommodations for smokers. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/52 "2011-07-08T20:39:33Z")
> [@robert\_columbia](#): > > And also, I’ve heard that intelligence is positively correlated with anxiety disorders. > > In a way, ignorance (due to low inquisitiveness) is bliss. > > [http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?1166-Connection-between-intelligence-and-anxiety](http://anxietyforum.net/forum/showthread.php?1166-Connection-between-intelligence-and-anxiety) > > Does anyone have a link to an actual study? Why, what are you trying to find out about us? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/53 "2011-07-08T21:11:34Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > One clue (a minor one) is proper use of the subjunctive. Lack of its use does not imply stupidity, but its presence suggests intelligence. I had to look up the word “subjunctive” in a thread about how we assess another person’s intelligence. I will now politely refrain from commenting on the topic as I have lost all credibility with myself. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/54 "2011-07-08T21:20:40Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > I > Don’t know how long ago or where this was, but it’s really not like that here (and now). Most events don’t even bother to have accommodations for smokers. Not sanctioned Mensa events, but bar trivia with Mensan members. They were constantly taking smoke breaks, as Ohio bars don’t allow smoking. This was as recently as last week. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/55 "2011-07-08T21:22:34Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I had to look up the word “subjunctive” in a thread about how we assess another person’s intelligence. I will now politely refrain from commenting on the topic as I have lost all credibility with myself. Ah, but the fact that you went and looked it up rather than wonder about the intersection of two sandwiches redeems you. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/56 "2011-07-08T23:16:56Z")
I agree with posters who believe the eyes have it. There’s something about the look of someone who’s constantly thinking. I don’t believe you can go by speech patterns at all - that may clue one in to a person’s class or educational background, but not intelligence. I’ve met some incredibly intelligent people who don’t hold fancy degrees or use proper grammar. I think one of the biggest giveaways is the kind of questions someone asks you. Some people have a way of getting right to the point. This is only somewhat related, but have you ever noticed some people are better at using their intelligence than others? My Aunt comes to mind. She struggled in certain subjects in school and has never been much of an ‘‘intellectual,’’ but she’s a very intelligent person, and what impresses me the most is how masterfully she uses the wits she has. She knows what she knows and how to use it. Meanwhile I, a closer fit to the definition of ‘‘intellectual,’’ find myself tripping all over my own brain sometimes. We both have roughly the same IQ, but she’s more efficient at thinking. Maybe that’s a form of intelligence in itself. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/57 "2011-07-08T23:18:38Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > Ah, but the fact that you went and looked it up rather than wonder about the intersection of two sandwiches redeems you. I dunno, if a person makes the linguistic associations necessary to connect the word “subjunctive” with the idea of an “intersection of two sandwiches”, they are probably at least a bit educated and clever. Or weird, at the very least. 😉 A truly dumb person would just give a blank stare. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2011, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/58 "2011-07-08T23:19:40Z")
> [@olivesmarch4th](#): > > I agree with posters who believe the eyes have it. I see what you did there. ---
**Author:** ![SeldomSeen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ba0ec/32.png) [@SeldomSeen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeldomSeen)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/59 "2011-07-09T00:43:41Z")
I know I shouldn’t do it, I try not to do it, but it happens anyway…when someone talks “hillbilly”. I don’t mean just a Southern twang, that’s all right. But when they talk straight out of backwoods Appalachia or the Louisiana swamps I tend not to take them too seriously. Subtract two additional points if they have a declamitory manner of speech and rely on volume to make their point. A “quiet confidence” of manner OTOH makes me think well of them. SS ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2011, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255/60 "2011-07-09T05:53:47Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > I had to look up the word “subjunctive” in a thread about how we assess another person’s intelligence. I will now politely refrain from commenting on the topic as I have lost all credibility with myself. Heh - I had to go look it up, too. I do use them correctly (I think). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-use-to-assess-a-persons-intelligence/588255.md?page=4)