Poll: How intelligent do you consider yourself

[DeltaEdge]

Somewhere in between ehh kinda stupid and average. I know that your thinking I should have chosen slightly below average but trust me, I'm either one or the other. When I'm in school listening to a teacher lecture, I take very diligent notes and I learn quite a bit. If I actually study (which I do) I will usually pass any test or quiz with an A or B at the lowest. I am completely capable of pulling off A's and B's this year on my report card. When I'm not talking to anyone, people actually look to me like I'm a smart person. But here's the other end of the spectrum. My stupidity seems to shine most brightly whenever I'm not in a learning setting. I'm just looney every where else in stark contrast to my in-class behavior.
With friends:
Friends: Hey Michael. What's up?
Me: Dude I've got the beeeest joke ever! Diarrhea poopy pee! *rolling around on the floor laughing stupidly*
Friends: What the Fuck are you, 3? My fucking 3 year old cousin laughs at that shit. You must be really high and drunk at the same time.
Me: *Laughing even harder for no real reason*
With Parents:'
Parents: Hello son.
Me: Dingaling poopy pee!! *LMAOing*
Parents: Michael, go to your room. I'll bring some pre-schoolers over later and you can all laugh at the same thing later.
With Teachers and other school figures when not learning:
Counselor: OK Michael, your new class is straight down that hallway to the left.
Me: Wait, which hallway?
Counselor: The one that we're in right now sweetie
Me: Wait, so do I go left or right?
Counselor: Left
Me: Oh, ok. I got it. (runs to the right and wanders lost for about 10 minutes.)
Counselor: Dammit Michael I told you to go left!
Me: Left?
Counselor: Left
Me:...Right?
Counselor:LEFT DAMN YOU!
Me: I think Im gonna go right
Counselor:FOR GOODNESS SAKES, GO LEFT YOU FOOL!
Me:... up?
Counselor:....... Fine! GO UP! Here's a FUCKIN' LADDER!
Me: Thanks (I somehow after this manage to climb through the vents and drop into the exact class I was supposed to right on time for class. The counselor sits their looking at the attendance report in awe)
Counselor: What the fuck... What the hell is wrong with that kid...
I think that just about sums things up!
*EDIT* Intelligence is measured by your ability to learn, not how much you know. You can know a buttload of random ass facts or even useful things (please don't make a distinction between useful facts and random facts to contradict me, I'm just making an example..)and still be fucktarded as hell. The three year old across the street however little he knows could be much smarter than this man who knows quite a bit because his ability to absorb and process information is on a much higher level than the fucktarded adult's. And make sure that you don't base your opinion of intelligence off of school achievements and IQ tests. You could be the fucking valedictorian at your school and then be the person who turns out to lack the most common sense or "street smarts" as some may put it. People will look in awe when they see the valedictorian knows not the difference between kool-aid and crack cocaine. Or if his/her friends are talking about the "five finger discount" and he/she decides that a discount for having 5 fingers sounds very appealing and he/she decides to walk into a store and goes to the cashier with a ton of stuff ready to be purchased. The cashier rings all of it up (takes about 10 minutes)and then says the price is $ 113.93. He/she then proceeds to ask for the five finger discount.
Cashier: Y-your kidding right?
Valedictorian: I've got all five fingers don't I?
Cashier: Yes you do, now go on back to your mental school or asylum. Here's a pity chocolate bar. Eat it and cry about how stupid you are at night.
Valedictorian: HEY, I'm the valedictorian at the most prestigious High School in the states! I've already been accepted to Harvard!
Cashier: ....

 

[ToastiestZombie]

Ehh kinda intelligent is what I put. I've had some very intellectual moments, like in year 7 when I had to be tested for dyslexia because my reading age was the max (16 I think) and my writing age was the max (14), those two were so far apart that I had to have a test for dyslexia.

 

[Gurppa]

I overestimate myself way too much. I'm above average for sure but I'm probably not actually that intelligent.

I have a hard time accepting the fact that there are people smarter than me.

I'm great at programming and stuff like that and see thing quite fast but it's probably just because I love puzzles and always have done them.

 

[mightybozz]

Sorry if someone's already mentioned this, but...

It is kind of interesting and amusing how a large majority of those polled consider themselves at least above average, with 46% picking the 2nd highest category. Kinda poops all over the meaning of the term "average," at least in respect to everyone's self-perception. Not exonerating myself either, as I am included in that large majority in terms of the poll choice I selected.

And this post demonstrates why you belong in the upper band . Statistics!

The poll's a bit odd, going from "slightly above average" to "kinda intelligent". Surely slightly above average is higher than kind of intelligent?

For the sake of argument I put "kinda intelligent" - I'm doing a masters degree so I know I'm academically solid. But my teachers are the only ones I'd put into the "fucking holy shit intelligent" band

 

[Hijax]

Well, everyone i know always called me a genius, and i always did very well in school. But i always thought that this was at least partially due to me being more interested in scholastic matters than most my age. Plus, i always feel like a terrible person when i call myself incredibly intelligent, so i voted "ehh, kinda intelligent."

 

[KitsuneGamer]

Before answering the OP it would be helpful to have a operational definition of intelligence for this question? Are you strictly referring to Binet IQ test like measures and other such standardized western style intelligence scales? Or do you want a qualitative estimate of some sort?

Keeping this uncertainty in mind I will now attempt to make a vague estimate of my intelligence. Keep in mind that a IQ scales and other standardized test for people of typical neurology are less useful for judging my personal intelligence do to having minor anatomical and neuroarchitechtural abnormalities do to premature neural development at birth, and suffering from aspergers. Having said that lets move on to a estimate of intellectual functioning.

Results of IQ test going into university.
-Average was roughly 107 over multiple scales. Highest was 115 in spatial memory and reasoning. Lowest was in various math and language scales. lowest was 90. Moving on now to academic performance.

Grade school:
Showed attentional problems and sever agitation at having to do repetitive tasks. On more then one occasion showing aggression towards teachers do to frustration over assigned material, often unable to keep up with other students in speed based assignments and measures. Did not learn to read till 5 years old, decided to teach self to read do to frustration with not being able to, reached age appropriate mastery after 1 month of dedicated effort, minimal understanding of reading English up to that point. Eventually was sent to a SLC class for disruptive students at age 9....... no progress or notable academic advancements, in fact do to negligence in scholastic program of the SLC class, I was held back 1 year (Not based on academic performance?). Parents, and child (Me) decided to forcefully withdrawal from program after 3 years in favor of home schooling in order to reach academic levels necessary to enter high school (Level was reached and surpassed in time for high school).

High school: Received 3 academic awards during stay in high school, for social studies, french, and history, didn't fail any class during 4 years of high school, and in fact went back to take night classes to get the few courses that I didn't have time for.

1 Year break to try to raise funds for university/vehicle.....unsuccessful.

University: First year (Failed English 100) Passed in top 80th percentile in biology 100, Psych 100. 2-3 Decided not to peruse pre-pharmacy in favor of pursuing a future in parapsychology. 4th year. (Made deans list for summer semester, received diploma of arts, and bachelors in psychology, applying for honors to pursue masters studies).

So as you can see its not a clear picture whether I am dumber or smarter then any given human being. For I can when I find something interesting, memorize advanced diagrams and theories that very few individuals are able to, yet I have slower then average processing speed of certain streams of information, and a generally reduced ability to replicate data physically or verbally, also I demonstrate minor deficiencies in dialectical memory (Names of people in particular).

In short my liquid intelligence is about average or slightly below, but my christalized intelligence is often far superior to most in my age group. Does that make me intelligent? Damned if I know.

 

[DaJoW]

Average, on the whole. Above average in some fields, below average in others - just like anyone else really.

 

[Hamish Durie]

using big words to fool people into thinking that my thinking capacity heavily outweighs theirs
NEVER ceases to be fun

slightly above average

 

[archaicmalevolence]

I guess decently intelligent, as I can do very well in school, and deal with most problems that may occur. I also taught myself how to read at a high level starting at age 5.

 

[Adam Jensen_v1legacy]

*EDIT* Intelligence is measured by your ability to learn, not how much you know.

That's not actually true, even though most people seem to think it is. Intelligence measured in IQ tests is called logical-mathematical intelligence, and it deals with problem solving. Sure you can say that learning how to solve problems is a form of intelligence, it's memory intelligence. But truly intelligent people can solve problems they never encountered before faster than people who just learn fast. People who learn fast will first try to solve a new problem by using the already existing knowledge. Truly intelligent people won't need any previous knowledge.

 

[DeltaEdge]

*EDIT* Intelligence is measured by your ability to learn, not how much you know.

That's not actually true, even though most people seem to think it is. Intelligence measured in IQ tests is called logical-mathematical intelligence, and it deals with problem solving. Sure you can say that learning how to solve problems is a form of intelligence, it's memory intelligence. But truly intelligent people can solve problems they never encountered before faster than people who just learn fast. People who learn fast will first try to solve a new problem by using the already existing knowledge. Truly intelligent people won't need any previous knowledge.

Dictionary.com definition-
in·tel·li·gence
   [in-tel-i-juhns] Show IPA
noun
1.
capacity for learning, reasoning, understanding, and similar forms of mental activity; aptitude in grasping truths, relationships, facts, meanings, etc.
I could have worded it better, but I meant it like this.
In other words, ability to learn and the reasoning and understanding and such. And people who learn well don't necessarily learn fast. It's about how well you understand it after learning it, not how quickly you learned it.

 

[Malrock]

Ehh kind of intelligent.

On the one hand I have an IQ of 168 (I'm in mensa), but unfortunatly that is offset with a very short attention span. If I am not interested, I will zone out completely.

Fortunately I have found a career I find interesting lol so it's not all bad.

 

[StormShaun]

I'm kind of intelligent, well in a non logical sense, I hate and am bad at maths.

Also, why, because I do quite a load of intelligent thinking with life, people and etc.

For example. I run many scenarios of what-if this happens or if this happens, I wouldn't do it here, I usually do it in situations where I'm desperate, such as where is my best friend, I scan the environment (The outside of his house) and compare it with him, then I run the possibilities that would happen, it's a weird ability.

So I would say kind of but I tend to hide it due to my personality and laziness.

 

[Scarecrow]

I think I'm pretty smart. People tell me I'm smart, and I'm not modest to not accept it. So...yeah...

 

[poleboy]

Intelligence is a social construction. We just barely understand how some parts of our brains work, and we think we can measure something as intangible as intelligence? Please.

Smart people realize that at best, you can pick up the knowledge that makes society brand you as smart, or even a genius. Even if you have a very rare talent for something, like languages or math, you'll probably never be a great racecar-driver or a mason as well. Smart people realize that co-operation between people can always yield greater results, because one of humanity's greatest talents is pooling our collective resources and intellect towards a common goal. It's just a shame we do it so rarely.

 

[Section Crow]

smart enough not to talk about how smart i think i am.

yeah, i clicked other...

 

[SckizoBoy]

Emotional intelligence... yes, I freely admit that my EI is high, regardless of which model you use.

Intelligent enough to not care about it.

other: i consider my intelligence to be 'insufficient'. where it stands against others is irrelevant.

Why weren't these quoted more?! (Especially [user]StrixMaxima[/user])

Hey escapist community, I've been wondering how intelligent do you all consider yourself to be, and please, be honest. Additionally, if you so please, post why you consider yourself to be of that level of intelligence.

I personally believe I'm somewhere inbetween the ehh kinda intelligent and fucking holy shit intelligent. The reason why I believe this is because throughout my time in school I scored many 100%s on the standarized tests we took yearly, read at the level of a high school graduate when I was about 11, and tested at an iq of 134.

Thanks for sharing everyone!

See, school results and stuff makes little difference: I did GCSE maths (passed with A*) and A-level maths (passed with B) both six years early and am a double Masters of chemistry and biology... and yet, why do I find myself among the dumbest of my acquaintance? My sister's 30th birthday party (her boyfriend's niece notwithstanding) was (upon inspection of the guestlist) a potential dickwaving competition of 'how many letters do you have after your name'. I lost with just eight, my sister had twenty-two (she now has twenty-six). My old man has thirty...

Now, the question we ask is: 'do we care?' (We ask as we express complete and utter contempt for MENSA...)

i.e.

so yeah, we can sit here and flop e-penis's around all day by who got what on what score/test, but it won't actually matter/do anything.

Therefore, do I consider myself intelligent? No, I'm a fucking retard, what do you think?!

I'm borderline retarded obviously...

Ah, a kindred spirit!

Slightly above average. I sometimes tend to think I'm smarter than everyone else... when I'm really not.

Props for being able to admit that... a pity there aren't more of such mind...

I consider myself to be an intelligent idiot.

EDIT: I laughed at the poll results. Oh Escapist, you so modest.

LOL... and what did you expect?! (respectively)

ive always found these polls to be interesting as the result always tends to be most people seeing themselves as above average without fail

I think (no doubt others would 'know') it'd be the same if you applied it to the whole internet, not just the microcosm that is Esc...

These kinds of polls are useless for gauging a community's intelligence, but great for measuring ego. Congratulations Escapist, you have once again proven yourself to be a shining beacon of pretentiousness intelligence in the stagnant swamp of the internet.

LOL... 'shining beacon' just brings the wrong image to mind... *hits self*

I lol'd at the inevitable result, even though nature dictates that most of us are lying.

Well, a recent study did show that those who learnt to lie at a young age grew up to be smarter than their peers. Don't know if that counts for anything... *shrug*

Intelligence is a social construction. We just barely understand how some parts of our brains work, and we think we can measure something as intangible as intelligence? Please.

Smart people realize that at best, you can pick up the knowledge that makes society brand you as smart, or even a genius. Even if you have a very rare talent for something, like languages or math, you'll probably never be a great racecar-driver or a mason as well. Smart people realize that co-operation between people can always yield greater results, because one of humanity's greatest talents is pooling our collective resources and intellect towards a common goal. It's just a shame we do it so rarely.

Best answer I've seen yet... *tips hat*

 

[Mistermixmaster]

"Ehh, kinda stupid"/"Below average". Mostly because what others say and think more or less instantly, I would first think of if I started to ponder on it for a few minutes. It's also happened that someone will say "that part of this game where character x betrays you was so obvious!" and I'll be stuck with a dumb look on my face and go "really? I didn't see it coming at all...". Maybe I'm just being harsh to myself, I dunno.

I'm also terrible with math, so there's that too. >_<

 

[Sunrider]

Intelligent enough to not create this thread once every month or so.

Also, smarter than most people I know IRL, but still nothing above average. Everyone is really stupid where I grew up.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I probably abit below average since I forgot what I learn in Math (like e.g. equation using X and Y) and something I can't think the exact word I'm looking for when trying to argue someone opinion in a topic (like making a statement while holding onto my own).