MN Photography wrote:
I'd actually like to see someone admit to having an IQ that tested less than 100.  About half the population fall into this category, but I don't think I've ever heard someone say something like "I have an IQ of 92.  That's tested!".  If someone's IQ was tested at over 120, for example, they can't tell you about it fast enough.

I imagine people with an IQ of 92 are not the kind of people to take IQ tests. I would guess that a disproportionate amount of people who take IQ tests are either intelligent or have difficulties.

I've taken an IQ test, I'll let you decide which category I fall into

John Jebbia wrote:
Just wondering how many of you consider yourself perpetually stupid.

To myself, I consider myself not smart enough.  To others, no. 

Brian Diaz wrote:
I know that I'm not stupid, but I'm often surprised by how regularly I can, for example, get up, walk to the kitchen, and completely forget what I had planned on doing there.

Brian...Maybe if you clear your cache of memory you would know! lol

Gregory Thelen wrote:
I'm With Stupid -------> "ME"

I am stupid on the subject of IQs. From life experience, I know of very intelligent people that can't find their way out of a room.
On the other hand, I also know people that function very well in everyday life from life experiences, trial and error or just plain street smarts. On that note these same people have trouble with reading and even 8th grade math.

I always wondered what they are testing against for an IQ test.

That's been controversial.  In my own family, IQ results are all over the board.  My older brother is something like 140-50.  He is a chemical engineer with multiple advanced degrees.  Other than his career, which is spotty because of frequent job changes, his life is a disaster.  My youngest brother on the other hand, he had the lowest IQ of anyone in our family.   He didn't attend college and started at a low level factory job right out of high school.  After 30 years, he is head of purchasing at the same company.  My sons were tested at 105 and 125.  The son with an IQ of 105 did much better in school and has a better career than my other son.  He was always more focused. 

I think IQ might mainly measure your propensity for distraction.

DOUGLASFOTOS wrote:

Brian...Maybe if you clear your cache of memory you would know! lol

Ah, that's the problem. 

It seem that every time I end up in the kitchen, I always clear my cookies instead.  At least, I clear the plate that they're on.

Brian Diaz wrote:
I know that I'm not stupid, but I'm often surprised by how regularly I can, for example, get up, walk to the kitchen, and completely forget what I had planned on doing there.

That happens to me all the time, especially when I'm working on the computer.. I'll think about doing something, then decide to check my email first, then come back to do what I thought of only to forget what the hell it was.

Leo Howard swears I have early stages of Alzheimer...

John Jebbia wrote:
Just wondering how many of you consider yourself perpetually stupid.

Psycho-stimulants helped me with that.

I think.

MN Photography wrote:
Maybe it's different in the UK, but I think most people take IQ tests in school.  Both my sons did.  I did and so did my siblings.

I'm not sure how the distribution of the range of IQ would be accurate if the population were all self-selected.

Yes it would be as I said in the UK as far as I know. I imagine they take samples to get an idea of the general population, as far as I know there is no regular testing. I don't think we'd see much reason for it.

John Jebbia wrote:
Just wondering how many of you consider yourself perpetually stupid.

And fat too.  Stupid and fat.

Brian Diaz wrote:
I know that I'm not stupid, but I'm often surprised by how regularly I can, for example, get up, walk to the kitchen, and completely forget what I had planned on doing there.

I think there is a great difference between sheer intelligence, education and memory, especially short term memory. Just because you can't remember doesn't mean you haven't been educated or have no smarts.

For instance, I know some really intelligent people who get absolutely crushed by much less intelligent people when playing chess. It's not because they aren't intelligent enough. It's because they lack experience (education) so they have no strategy.  Give them a little time and some desire and it's lights out for the less intelligent person.  On the other hand, if the less intelligent person is flexible, adaptable and/or shrewd, it might not be lights out for them.

John Jebbia wrote:
That happens to me all the time, especially when I'm working on the computer.. I'll think about doing something, then decide to check my email first, then come back to do what I thought of only to forget what the hell it was.

Leo Howard swears I have early stages of Alzheimer...

Yes, but its because you have other symptoms other than just forgetfulness, but thats another topic...



Some of the smartest people in the world have turned out to also be very stupid . . . . I give you the Atomic Bomb.

Brian Diaz wrote:
I know that I'm not stupid, but I'm often surprised by how regularly I can, for example, get up, walk to the kitchen, and completely forget what I had planned on doing there.

This happens to a lot of us.

Gregory Thelen wrote:
I'm With Stupid -------> "ME"

I am stupid on the subject of IQs. From life experience, I know of very intelligent people that can't find their way out of a room.
On the other hand, I also know people that function very well in everyday life from life experiences, trial and error or just plain street smarts. On that note these same people have trouble with reading and even 8th grade math.

I always wondered what they are testing against for an IQ test.

Funniest T shirt on the subject that I have seen:

"I'm With Stupid"
              |
              |
              |
              V


You should get to know him

John Jebbia wrote:
Just wondering how many of you consider yourself perpetually stupid.

Purely a function of how much time I spend in the forums.

MN Photography wrote:
I'd actually like to see someone admit to having an IQ that tested less than 100.  About half the population fall into this category, but I don't think I've ever heard someone say something like "I have an IQ of 92.  That's tested!".  If someone's IQ was tested at over 120, for example, they can't tell you about it fast enough.

I took IQ tests again in high school, all of which placed me in the high 90s. Nothing special. I haven't taken any since that time, because I've had no reason to do so. I figure it hasn't changed much since that time.

My abilities with maths and practical science have always been very poor, despite showing high verbal aptitude. It brings down my general intelligence level significantly, overall. I currently work as a ghostwriter for business management theory books and entrepreneur profiles. So, ultimately, it doesn't matter that I suck at a lot of the more highly valued "smarts" in our society. I have found a way to use the skills I do have (namely, language) to start building a longer-term career for myself. Not having much in the way of math, science or technical abilities held me back for years, and I think made me appear "dumber" than I actually was.

In the grand scheme of things, I'm not particularly smart - but as long as I have something I can do well, that's just fine with me.

The great irony is, two weeks ago I had an assignment at work that required me to - literally - write a book on Search Engine Optimization. Did all the research and everything, despite having no background whatsoever in technology. I completed the project and wrote a book on SEO, butI still couldn't actually tell you the practical details of how to use it. If I sat down right now and tried to optimize a site, my head would explode.