I've never understood this...

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samtoo
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23 Nov 2007, 3:02 pm

Why are intelligent people often labelled as the opposite to that meaning of the word aka stupid? What's up with that?


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wsmac
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23 Nov 2007, 3:09 pm

samtoo wrote:
Why are intelligent people often labelled as the opposite to that meaning of the word aka stupid? What's up with that?


First, I'm not sure that is true... 'often labeled', that is...

Second, I'm not sure who you are talking about.. anyone in particular?

From my experience, some folks who live life in ignorance do tend to brush off the comments of someone who displays a higher degree of intelligence.

Those ignorant people do like to attack smart people personally because they have no other means of arguing.
It's easier to call someone a 'nut', or laugh about how smart someone is, especially when the attacker has a low opinion of themselves to begin with.

Is that what you're talking about? :wink:


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blessedmom
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23 Nov 2007, 3:17 pm

There are different kinds of intelligence. There is academic intelligence, social intelligence and what is commonly called "common sense". Of course there are others, but these are obvious ones. Most of the time people are strongest in one or two of these. For example, I am academically and musically gifted. I also have a good degree of common sense. I lack in the social intelligence department and my ADHD has been at the root of a lot of really "stupid" behaviour and mistakes. People don't see the intelligence, they see the social errors and the "stupid" behaviour, hence, I've been labelled "stupid" on more than one occasion.

Did that make any sense?


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Apollyon
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24 Nov 2007, 7:27 am

I don't know. Quite a few times I've uttered a big, "scary" word someone didn't understand- and they turned around and said to me, "UR STOOPID! OMGZ!! !!111!!!1!"

I wouldn't look too much into it. It's just a meaningless retort because they don't know what else to say.



Apollyon
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24 Nov 2007, 7:28 am

blessedmom wrote:
There are different kinds of intelligence. There is academic intelligence, social intelligence and what is commonly called "common sense". Of course there are others, but these are obvious ones. Most of the time people are strongest in one or two of these. For example, I am academically and musically gifted. I also have a good degree of common sense. I lack in the social intelligence department and my ADHD has been at the root of a lot of really "stupid" behaviour and mistakes. People don't see the intelligence, they see the social errors and the "stupid" behaviour, hence, I've been labelled "stupid" on more than one occasion.

Did that make any sense?


Actually, that also makes sense as well.



Sora
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24 Nov 2007, 7:34 am

Yet another point maybe. Sometimes, if someone smart answers a question, but doesn't say what the person who asked the question would like to hear, then they also happen to be thought of as stupid. Not fulfilling an expectation can cause lots of confusion too.



samtoo
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24 Nov 2007, 12:55 pm

hmm actually this is a case of me being called a ret*d behind my back that I heard, but didn't channel properly until a bit after... and I'm almost 100% convinced that the guy called me that... and now I'm really p***** off.
I appreciate the posts anyway, but this is what it's about - us being intelligent people, always being called "Stupid" "ret*d" "Loser" and all the rest of it... it's a great irony.


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25 Nov 2007, 6:31 am

They probably just say it because they're jealous.


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25 Nov 2007, 7:54 am

A hard life lesson. Being intelligent is rare, most are not and find it offensive.

They could hardly make an intelligent response, could they ?

They would look small if they gave their best response.

Once they were little, everybody knew more, they grew, could tie their own shoes, but never made it very high up the ladder.

They still take pride in what they can do.

Someone who has climbed 25% higher makes them feel a child again, uncomfortable, and have to confront that they will never climb higher, they will never catch up.

You have cast them down, they feel it, and adults will blurt out that you are a "Stupidhead." A second grader remark.

Wise up, dumb down. Speak to people where they are, as you would with children and dogs.

Quoting Shaskspere does not work on small children. You tell them they are making their stuffed animal scared. That they can take care of, that is in their world and control.

Rover is good at catching the ball, Rover is a good dog. Bob is great at baseball, he plays shortstop better than anyone, he could be All State.

Bob is dumb as a post, but this smart guy said he was good at baseball, and Bob feels good. Bob like you, not hunt you with baseball bat. Bob friend.

It is a scarey and dangerous world.

Bob cannot be cured. With a baseball bat, you can be cured.

Bob cannot change, you can.

Wise up Stopidhead.



CanyonWind
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25 Nov 2007, 11:24 am

It's been my experience that most peoples' judgments about somebody else's intelligence have little or nothing to do with the content of what they are saying. It has to do with their style of delivery, which makes aspies appear stupid.

I have, very occasionally, run into somebody who is an exception. Exceptions are not always insignificant.


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Keoren
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25 Nov 2007, 1:25 pm

I've several times encountered a situation where another person brings up something completely obvious and is considered smart yet when I - or someone else - try to offer a new point of view, I'm considered to be an idiot. It seems to have something to do with how popular the person is in the first place. Makes one want to shout out loud; "Pay attention to what is said, not who is saying it!"