Variations on a theme

[kate952]

Two different conversations today, one with Middle Daughter and one in my head. Both were variations on a related theme

Comments

[shiv5468]

I think that some people know they're stupid, and are horribly chippy about it, and hate any reminder of it. And some people never seem to work it out.

It's rare, but it's possible. I think if you're a good writer, there are things associated with that, that you'd also be good at. But if you're good at... throwing peanuts up in the air and catching them, then there isn't much there in the way of transferable skills.

[neveridle]

Well, I've known "simple" people who had no idea they were simple, like the receptionist where I used to work. She lived in this dirty little trailer with all these cats, never dated and always complained about it, and acted about 5 years younger than she was (I think she was 21 or so). She was the kind of person everyone would avoid until they felt very, very sorry for her because she was just sort of sad and pathetic. I don't think she ever really caught on that she got under people's skin the way she did

[islandsmoke]

The first question is two, or more, really. The "less talented." OK. I have known people who are - as, by definition, half are - on the negative side of average intellect, who know they aren't as bright as some, but who work to their full potential. They have generally been great co-workers, and a few have been good "at work" friends. They excel at what they do, and take pride in it, even though they know they are not capable of what some others are mentally. Then, you have those who are brighter than they think they are, those who are dumber than they think they are, those who are defensive about how bright they are, or aren't, those who are willfully stupid, and those who are clueless

[adaveen]

I inelegantly asked her if she thinks -- please forgive the expression -- stupid people know they're stupid.

My experience is - no, they don't. Although normally intelligent and highly intelligent people question themselves in the face of challenges.

I used to think boorish/obnoxious people didn't realize it, until I told my husband that he was an attention whore and he laughed and said he knew.

Yes, I do think it's possible to be a jack of all trades and a master of some; with adequate intelligence and time to learn and the dilligence to master what we're passionate about. I've always associated the term with dilletantism (sp?) or lack of follow-through, something I've suffered from myself throughout life. Short attention span and all.

[adaveen]

Oh, and boorish and obnoxious people are often highly intelligent; see illustration above (husband). His son is highly annoying and people hide from him, well, WE hide from him because he gets on our nerves. He never shuts up and he giggles like a pedo on the playground, usually at his own comments about himself (most of which show all the mental and emotional maturity of a 9 year old). But he's also dimwitted, so he doesn't seem to have any idea how annoying he is. I don't think the annoying/obnoxious thing has anything to do with intelligence, although being aware of it, might.

[bloodcult]

Sweetpants and I discussed this for years and it turns out in studies the less competent people were in a subject area the more confident they were about their ability to perform. People who were highly knowledgible were often wracked with self doubt because they were aware of all the possible pitfalls.