30-07-2025
15 Things That Are Not A Sign Of Intelligence
Sometimes people do certain things that instantly make people believe they are incredibly smart. However, just because society accepts a habit or behavior as a sign of intelligence, that doesn't mean it's actually the case. SO when I saw Reddit user MetalPotential7093 ask: "What is definitely NOT a sign of intelligence but people think it is?" a good number of people provided their brutally honest answers. Here's what they said:
"Money or success. Intelligence helps, but it's not always necessary."
—chrishiestand"The family you're born in matters way, way, way more than intelligence when it comes to wealth."—leonheart208
"People always confuse trivial knowledge with high intelligence; it's a very common misconception."
"When someone says I did my own research, but all they did was to watch a TikTok and read one sketchy blog."
—No_Strawberry_6796"This one infuriates me. Too many people don't understand how to do proper research. Googling something that agrees with your opinion or using social media as a source isn't research, Aunt Linda..."—SkankyGhost
"Never changing your mind."
"Refusing to be wrong ever."
—ZealotOfMeme"I saw someone say this the other day, and I loved it:'It's hard to win an argument with a smart person, but it's impossible to win one with a stupid person.'"—starksdawson
"Acting like you know everything. I would respect you 100 times more for admitting you don't know or aren't completely sure about something."
"Being popular. Just because a lot of people like and listen to you and may believe what you say doesn't necessarily make you right or clever."
—hake2506
"Using big words to say simple things."
"Telling people that you have a high IQ or that your IQ is such and such number."
—Lumpy_Salamander_979
"Seniority on the corporate ladder."
"Your job: 'He's a doctor, he must be smart.' 'She's a very successful lawyer; she must be smart.' Etc."
—cerebralpaulc
"Confidence."
"Being good at chess."
—ptrxyz
''Winning' an argument by being louder and speaking over your opponent."
"Having a degree. Any C student can get one. Any cheater at any grade level (or school) can get one. Anyone who paid enough money to a degree mill can get one. They mean very little. A lack of one doesn't indicate a lack of intelligence, either."
—Lady_Irish
Is there a clear sign that does not indicate someone is intelligent, even when people believe it does? Share your thoughts in the comments or anonymously in the Google Form below:
