How smart do you consider yourself to be?

[kenny]

I'm sure some consider this poll to be inappropriate, or even taboo.
But people vary, in this way too.

For this poll, don't overthink.
Please vote honestly whatever immediately came into your head.

1 is minimum smartness
5 is average
9 is maximum smartness

Define smart however you define smart, and yes I realize that makes this poll scientifically invalid.
So what!
This is just a fun Internet poll.

This poll is set up so nobody can see you voted.

 

[pearlsngems]

I voted average because I'm very smart about some things and not smart enough about others.
I am considering smart as being street smart/savvy. Not about IQ.

 

[glitterata]

Not as smart as I was 20 years ago. But a little wiser.

 

[kenny]

Not as smart as I was 20 years ago. But a little wiser.

Good point!

 

[Bron357]

I chose 7 because that’s my lucky number.
Smartness is an interesting concept. I’ve known people which IQs around 200 with a PhDs who couldn’t work out how to orientate a couch to get it up the stairs.
You can be life smart, you can be practical smart and you can be “personal interest” smart.

 

[toomuchB]

I cast 7 because it balances between the things I think I'm smarter at (where I might be around 8 - probably not a 9 in anything) and the things I'm less smart at (where I might be around 6 or lower).

 

[dk168]

I chose 7 as I have been told I am smart as I know my way around an Excel spreadsheet.

DK

 

[missy]

Smart enough not to answer this question

 

[tyty333]

I rate myself a 9!

At being a smart a$$!

 

[lala646]

I gave myself a 6. Smart enough to know just how very, very much I don't know.

 

[pearlsngems]

I am reminded of the "Better-Than-Average Effect".

APA PsycNet

psycnet.apa.org

 

[Begonia]

I gave myself a 7. Long periods of mediocrity interspersed with flashes of brilliance. Where the h*ll did that come from I often wonder after such an event. Insight? A good sleep? Wee drop of caffeine? My brain is an odd duck.

 

[jaysonsmom]

Based on IQ tests, I should be a genius, so on paper a 9. However, I would definitely say that I'm not as street smart, tech savvy as Dh. So IQ and numbers don't mean anything. I always think of him as smarter than I am.

 

[Rockdiamond]

I put myself as a 5.
Luck had a lot more to do with my success I think.......
I know a lot of y'all have a lot more education than me.... and based on the things many of you have written, wow, we've got a very intelligent group here
Put a guitar or bass ( or a loupe and tweezer) in my hands, and it's a different story.....

 

[Rebel Rebel]

I'm a solid 7. My daughter is a 10, and I'm thrilled that she puts me to shame.

 

[Starstruck8]

I am reminded of the "Better-Than-Average Effect".

APA PsycNet

psycnet.apa.org

Yeah. I'm waiting for Kenny to jump in and say, "Ha! Gotcha! Lake Wobegon effect!" Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.

But of course PSers are smarter than average! We all know that...

 

[kenny]

Yeah. I'm waiting for Kenny to jump in and say, "Ha! Gotcha! Lake Wobegon effect!" Lake Wobegon, where all the women are strong, all the men are good-looking, and all the children are above average.

But of course PSers are smarter than average! We all know that...

You took that thought right out of my head.

But this thread was not meant to be a 'gotcha'.
Not everything has a dire motive.
Some things are nothing more than what they simply are.

But yes, that famous Garrison Keillor quote from his intro to "A Prairie Home Companion" on NPR had entered my mind, but didn't reach my fingers.

What fascinates me is why so many people considered such discussions to be taboo.
Someone even stated they're smart enough not to answer the question.
???
I certainly respect one's right to not participate, but don't understand its association with smartness.

 

[kenny]

I am reminded of the "Better-Than-Average Effect".

APA PsycNet

psycnet.apa.org

Yes, this poll could be seen as a classic example of that effect ... if it weren't for one thing.
PS is not a random cross section of society.
Generally we diamond geeks are a self selecting group with ... well ... wealth, education, and dare I say that dirty word, "Smartness".
(Nothing wrong with that.)

"BUT BUT BUT", someone points out, "There are exceptions".
Of course there are, but so what!?!
Exceptions to generalizations do not make the generalization not true ... generalizations are generally true.
That's whey they're called generalizations not all-around facts.

 

[Karl_K]

I am slightly smarter than an amoeba.
How much more depends on the day and subject.

 

[HGar]

I’m smart enough to detect bull cr@p being spouted and fake people, amongst many other things. But I also know that there are many people both dumber and smarter then me.

 

[Gloria27]

Better to be average than delusional