Oh, I’ve read a lot of those books too. But I’d be too embarrassed to read them in public…and it takes a LOT to embarrass me.
These days, though, I don’t have to worry about the covers so much, as I have a Nook that goes with me everywhere.
I consider people wise when they don’t make assumptions about other people’s intelligence based on little and immediate evidence.
So does the biggest redneck fisherman.
One clue (a minor one) is proper use of the subjunctive. Lack of its use does not imply stupidity, but its presence suggests intelligence.
Quick thinking doesn’t equal intelligence, maybe it’s a good indicator of wit at best. But during a conversation, the speed the other person appears to process things at is a decent indicator to me.
I refuse to speak to anyone not associated with my particular Ivy League institute of higher education.
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.
Language is a biggie. It’s not just about a collection of big words and good grammar, although that does help. For example, it’s hard for me not to have a negative first impression of someone who axes me a question. Speech peppered with trendy corporate buzzwords and words like “utilize” instead of “use” makes me think someone is trying to sound smart. Using big words is fine, but using the right words is smart.
Also, puns. Smart people use puns. Probably a whole lot more than they should. I think that above anything, what I notice in people I’ve labeled “intelligent” is an ironic sense of humor and an ability to play with language.
I have previewed this post a half dozen times now, trying to make sure I don’t come across as stupid. You people are making me paranoid!
hmm, I think I over-thought this. How immediate of an impression are you talking about? I can usually form an opinion of a persons intelligence fairly quickly based on language, humor, ability to discern logical thought from emotional reaction and opinion and react appropriately, etc. but gosh, thats just an initial impression and it changes, just as often as not, if I have more or a prolonged interaction with the person. How are you defining intelligence? not trying to be nitpicky, as I said, I think I thought about this too much when I decided to respond.
It would be dumb to say this.
It’s the eyes, as Alice said.
Signs you use to assess a person’s intelligence
The biggest factor in my book… are they a longtime member of the SDMB? 
So you never speak to intelligent people then?
I think most people are much worse at snap-judging others’ intelligence than they think they are. Confirmation bias plus a metric that isn’t going to be confirmed results in pretty much being able to decide someone is smart or not based on arbitrary criteria. If you define “smart” as “articulate,” for example, your judgment never fails. Heh.
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’m not good at assessing intelligence. Sometimes I’ll know someone for months and then be surprised that they have a fascinating hobby, talent, or accomplishment.
When I do quickly recognize intellect, it’s usually because it resembles my own.
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.
Really, there is no quicker way to diminish a person’s intelligence in my eyes than if they follow pseudoscience.
Well, aside from using calipers to measure the size of people’s craniums, I also judge their intelligence by whether or not I have to explain my jokes to them.
Wow, you’d probably find me to be the dumbest person in the room, I reckon. That’s ok though I might find you to be the most awkwardly judgemental.
Well except that I wear glasses, and we all know that glasses = smart. So maybe you might give me the time of day even if I’m wearing an Indians t-shirt and not holding a book.
Rear-view mirror:
If your mirror is flipped to the night/dim setting while driving in daylight, you might be an idiot. Really, if your intellect is such that you can’t grasp this simple concept, please stay home.
License plates:
Here in Georgia, our annual license plate renewal is a colored sticker placed in the lower right corner of the plate. Whether you renew by mail or in person, you get a slip of paper clearly showing proper (and legally required) placement.
Other corners? Idiot.
Lined up vertically in the middle of the tag? Idiot.
Plate looks like a 1st grade collage? Idiot.
Seatbelt:
No seatbelt = low intelligence.
Motorcycle helmet:
No helmet = low intelligence.
corollary: t-shirt & shorts on a bike? Ijit.
Smoker?
How smart could you be?
Pants hanging off your ass?
Please.
Religious?
You really think there’s a kind being in the sky who watches/knows/controls/created everything?
There might be, but I’ve not seen any evidence to support this.
Granted we’re all painting with broad brushes here, but I think my hypotheses are provable!
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.