The downside of high intelligence

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Those with high intelligence absorb information more easily and cope better with complex tasks. But does high intelligence always help? Maybe sometimes it's more of a curse than a blessing?

You might think that an incredibly high IQ level provides a number of privileges. For example, you don't have to work hard to pass exams. You read about difficult things and immediately understand them. You can try yourself in interesting fields like rocket science.

All of this is true, but high intelligence has its drawbacks. To determine them, we studied the answers of Quora users to the question "" and here are the most interesting ones.

You think all the time instead of feeling

Quora user Marcus Geduld said that he generally understands his emotions well and can tell other people about them. But he never feels relieved expressing his feelings.

“This is a common problem for smart people, especially those who are used to expressing everything in words. They use words as a smokescreen, and it only intensifies when they tell the truth. Less talkative people tend to express emotions through physical manifestations. They kick, shout, punch the table, run, laugh, dance and jump for joy. I’m explaining. And when I do this, everything that I explain remains inside me, it just now has a name."

You won't learn to work hard

Intellectuals feel they can move forward faster and easier than other people. But a high IQ does not guarantee success, and intellectuals cannot always develop the perseverance necessary to achieve it.

Intelligence becomes a problem when its owner realizes early that he doesn't have to work hard to get what he wants. Therefore, he will never develop a work ethic.

Kent Fung Quora user

People often expect you to be your best

“You are automatically expected to achieve the best results, no matter what,” writes Roshna Nazir. "You have no one to talk to about your weakness and insecurity."

Another downside to raising expectations is the constant fear of failure, that you won't be able to do it and become the best.

“It makes you so afraid of failure that you cannot take the risk and try for fear of what will happen if you fail,” writes Saurabh Mehta.

People are annoyed that you correct them in conversation

If you know that the person you are talking to is wrong, it is difficult to refrain from correcting him. This is where you need to feel whether your remark will make someone upset or embarrassed. Otherwise, you risk losing friends.

“Being an intellectual is unpleasant,” says Raxit Karramreddy. "When you constantly correct people, they stop communicating with you."

You tend to rethink things

A common theme across many of the answers on Quora is that it takes a lot of time to rethink and analyze. You get too sentimental if you try to find an existential explanation for any idea or experience.

You realize that everything is decay and nothing really matters. You are looking for answers and it drives you crazy.

Akash Ladha Quora user

It also makes it harder for you to make decisions. Tirthankar Chakraborty writes: "Understanding the possible course of events that comes from overly careful analysis may prevent you from making decisions."

People think you are boastful

Sometimes people around you think that you are showing off your knowledge.

“It’s upsetting,” says Bill Vanyo, “when people say something like, 'He thinks he’s so smart” or “He thinks he knows everything,” and you’re just trying to help them, not brag about your knowledge.

Do you understand how much you don't know

People with high intelligence realize how limited their thinking is. No matter how hard you try, you won't be able to find out everything.

Intelligence is a curse. The more you know, the more you realize that you know nothing.

Mike Farkas Quora user

Do you consider high intelligence to be a blessing or a curse?