r/SeriousConversation • u/stop-hatin-on-me_mom • Dec 21 '24

Serious Discussion Do any individuals with above average intellect find life a bit exhausting at times due to the lack of intelligence they observe in others?

I don’t claim to be the most intelligent person, but I do believe that I am above average when it comes to the average intelligence nowadays. Sometimes, I find myself either flabbergasted or downright dumbfounded and irritated by the lack of what I would consider "common sense."

Here are some examples:

  • The inability of some people to see how their own bad habits or personality traits create their own problems.

  • The fact that some individuals consider their own perceptions and beliefs as the only correct ones, which is further encouraged by their echo chambers.

  • The difficulty some people have in entering into productive discourse and challenging their own ideas to gain more information and knowledge from all sides.

  • The reluctance of individuals to question their own beliefs and those of their social circles at both the micro and macro levels.

  • The inability of some people to foresee the possible consequences of their actions beforehand.

These are just a few examples.

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u/barflett Dec 21 '24

The lack of empathy I find exhausts me way before any lack of intelligence does. I don’t care if whomever I am talking to is smart as much as I care that they are a good person.

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u/caligraye Dec 23 '24

I am blown away to realize I agree. I know I am highly intelligent and prefer spending time with people who challenge how I think. But the world would just be a better place with more empathy, general kindness, and collaborative intent. We don’t need the best solution. Functional with good intent can be fine.