# Who is the smartest person on the SDMB? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 25, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028 "2006-06-25T00:13:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Othersider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cab0a1/32.png) [@Othersider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Othersider)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/21 "2006-06-25T02:55:08Z")
Like a few people said, it’s pretty hard to qualify “smartest”. Most knowledgeable about the greatest number of subjects? Most knowledgeable about one specific subject? Having the highest IQ? I don’t think I’d like the burden of having the designation of “smartest” (even if I felt entitled to it, which I don’t). I screw up enough times that people would seriously question such a title. :smack: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/22 "2006-06-25T03:34:57Z")
I nominate Twickster for her profound “Intra-personal Intelligence”. [The Nine Types of Intelligence](http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The%20Nine%20Types%20of%20Intelligence.htm) > [@](#): > > 1. Naturalist Intelligence (“Nature Smart”) > > Designates the human ability to discriminate among living things (plants, animals) as well as sensitivity to other features of the natural world (clouds, rock configurations). This ability was clearly of value in our evolutionary past as hunters, gatherers, and farmers; it continues to be central in such roles as botanist or chef. It is also speculated that much of our consumer society exploits the naturalist intelligences, which can be mobilized in the discrimination among cars, sneakers, kinds of makeup, and the like. > > 1. Musical Intelligence (“Musical Smart”) > > Musical intelligence is the capacity to discern pitch, rhythm, timbre, and tone. This intelligence enables us to recognize, create, reproduce, and reflect on music, as demonstrated by composers, conductors, musicians, vocalist, and sensitive listeners. Interestingly, there is often an affective connection between music and the emotions; and mathematical and musical intelligences may share common thinking processes. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are usually singing or drumming to themselves. They are usually quite aware of sounds others may miss. > > 1. Logical-Mathematical Intelligence (Number/Reasoning Smart) > > Logical-mathematical intelligence is the ability to calculate, quantify, consider propositions and hypotheses, and carry out complete mathematical operations. It enables us to perceive relationships and connections and to use abstract, symbolic thought; sequential reasoning skills; and inductive and deductive thinking patterns. Logical intelligence is usually well developed in mathematicians, scientists, and detectives. Young adults with lots of logical intelligence are interested in patterns, categories, and relationships. They are drawn to arithmetic problems, strategy games and experiments. > > 1. Existential Intelligence > > Sensitivity and capacity to tackle deep questions about human existence, such as the meaning of life, why do we die, and how did we get here. > > 1. Interpersonal Intelligence (People Smart”) > > Interpersonal intelligence is the ability to understand and interact effectively with others. It involves effective verbal and nonverbal communication, the ability to note distinctions among others, sensitivity to the moods and temperaments of others, and the ability to entertain multiple perspectives. Teachers, social workers, actors, and politicians all exhibit interpersonal intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence are leaders among their peers, are good at communicating, and seem to understand others’ feelings and motives. > > 1. Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence (“Body Smart”) > > Bodily kinesthetic intelligence is the capacity to manipulate objects and use a variety of physical skills. This intelligence also involves a sense of timing and the perfection of skills through mind–body union. Athletes, dancers, surgeons, and craftspeople exhibit well-developed bodily kinesthetic intelligence. > > 1. Linguistic Intelligence (Word Smart) > > Linguistic intelligence is the ability to think in words and to use language to express and appreciate complex meanings. Linguistic intelligence allows us to understand the order and meaning of words and to apply meta-linguistic skills to reflect on our use of language. Linguistic intelligence is the most widely shared human competence and is evident in poets, novelists, journalists, and effective public speakers. Young adults with this kind of intelligence enjoy writing, reading, telling stories or doing crossword puzzles. > > 1. Intra-personal Intelligence (Self Smart”) > > Intra-personal intelligence is the capacity to understand oneself and one’s thoughts and feelings, and to use such knowledge in planning and directioning one’s life. Intra-personal intelligence involves not only an appreciation of the self, but also of the human condition. It is evident in psychologist, spiritual leaders, and philosophers. These young adults may be shy. They are very aware of their own feelings and are self-motivated. > > 1. Spatial Intelligence (“Picture Smart”) > > Spatial intelligence is the ability to think in three dimensions. Core capacities include mental imagery, spatial reasoning, image manipulation, graphic and artistic skills, and an active imagination. Sailors, pilots, sculptors, painters, and architects all exhibit spatial intelligence. Young adults with this kind of intelligence may be fascinated with mazes or jigsaw puzzles, or spend free time drawing or daydreaming. ---
**Author:** ![wolf\_meister](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolf_meister/32/15202_2.png) [@wolf\_meister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolf_meister)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/23 "2006-06-25T04:33:00Z")
I’ll also cast a vote for **Q.E.D.** ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/24 "2006-06-25T04:42:53Z")
kimstu and wring stick out for me. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/25 "2006-06-25T05:40:28Z")
I’m often impressed by the quality of the posts from tomndebb. Although for all we know tom’s just the front and debb’s the real brains of the outfit. ---
**Author:** ![Triskadecamus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b19c9b/32.png) [@Triskadecamus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Triskadecamus)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/26 "2006-06-25T05:52:35Z")
After reading the longest of the “parallel lines” debates in the Pit, I decided that in any given area of human understanding, we have a dozen first rate minds on tap. It was about that time when my own posting to reading ratio began to drop precipitously. As a group, you can’t touch this. Everything you need to know, and a fair bit that you really don’t need to know, all available, and with an attitude. Tris (not even able to decide who is the smartest) ---
**Author:** ![Ace309](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ace309/32/1050_2.png) [@Ace309](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ace309)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/27 "2006-06-25T05:57:59Z")
**Polycarp** seems to be one of the most well-rounded posters on the boards. Regardless of topic, when I see a post of his, it just about settles the matter for me. Other posters are unassailable in their respective areas of expertise, but Carp is a jack of all trades. ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/28 "2006-06-25T07:10:37Z")
**Q.E.D.** was the first to come to mind, but the clear, level-headed rationality of **tomndebb** ’s posts always impresses me. There are tons of other uber-smart posters here, those were just the first two to come to mind. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/29 "2006-06-25T07:28:30Z")
**Polycarp** , **QED** , **Mathochist** and **tomndebb** stick out. However, they often post in threads that I’m likely to read, so I’m probably missing out on a lot of other posters. ---
**Author:** ![Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/cc9497/32.png) [@Capt.Ridley\_s\_Shooting\_Party](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capt.Ridley_s_Shooting_Party)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 7:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/30 "2006-06-25T07:30:25Z")
Just what am I _doing_? Can a mod fix that, please? ---
**Author:** ![some\_white\_dude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b487fb/32.png) [@some\_white\_dude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/some_white_dude)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/31 "2006-06-25T07:56:03Z")
I nominate Dominic Mulligan. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/32 "2006-06-25T08:28:11Z")
If all Dopers were ranked by intelligence, I’d be way down near the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![Anastasaeon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Anastasaeon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anastasaeon)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 8:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/33 "2006-06-25T08:40:41Z")
Hmm… I’ve probably _learned_ the most new things by reading **Qadgop’s** posts. I’ve read some of the most interesting stories by reading **Lissa’s** posts. I’ve learned even more tolerance and patience by reading **tomndebb’s** posts. And I’m most inspired by **Eve’s** smart-assery and love of her field. I guess it depends on your definition of “smart”, and how firmly you are willing to hold onto that definition. For me, though, it could probably be every single Doper, in some way. Those are my top four; however, if allowed, my list would be unending. Too many to name, to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/34 "2006-06-25T08:43:15Z")
Besides others already mentioned, I nominate **Mangetout** for his vast know-what and know-how of everyday things in life. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 8:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/35 "2006-06-25T08:46:41Z")
…and I forgot (I always forget something) \*\*Manda Jo \*\*as another Doper scoring _very_ high points on “People-Smart” and “Self-Smart” (from **astro** ’s list) ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/36 "2006-06-25T08:59:56Z")
I’m the smartest, but if I tried to prove it to you comparatively feeble-minded folk you wouldn’t understand. ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/37 "2006-06-25T09:21:08Z")
Bah. _slinks out of thread_ ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 11:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/38 "2006-06-25T11:52:41Z")
> [@astro](#): > > I nominate Twickster for her profound “Intra-personal Intelligence”. > > [The Nine Types of Intelligence](http://skyview.vansd.org/lschmidt/Projects/The%20Nine%20Types%20of%20Intelligence.htm) Wow. Thanks. **blushes** **blushes some more** ---
**Author:** ![homeskillet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/7ba0ec/32.png) [@homeskillet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/homeskillet)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/39 "2006-06-25T14:18:10Z")
Mmmmmm… CEREBRAL MASTURBATION oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah …think about it, think about it, think, think THINK! OH DON’T STOP, KEEP THINKIN’ ABOUT IT, THINK, THINK ABOUT IT, OH, OH, OH OH, I… I… I… **IDEA!** ahhhh… \* got a tissue?\* ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2006, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028/40 "2006-06-25T15:06:03Z")
On that Nine Types of Intelligence, I fail three. YAY! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-is-the-smartest-person-on-the-sdmb/362028.md?page=3)