What’s worse? - Help.com

Gee, that’s a rather tough question to answer now that I think about it.

There’s no such thing as either one. Either you’re cocky or humble.

I have to agree. But my opinion would be that intelligence has benefits beyond that of dumb people. So being smart is better. But these problems specifically are both about the same in crapiness.

mills wrote:
Gee, that’s a rather tough question to answer now that I think about it.

mazui wrote:
There’s no such thing as either one. Either you’re cocky or humble.

This comment makes no sense. What would cockiness and humbleness have to do with intelligence? They’re contextual based attitudes, not intelligence.

Theoretically, that question does have some truth to it.

Here’s one I would like to ask: Is it better to be standing in the shoes of a fool or watching one act foolish in front of you?

And if you’ve ever seen the bell curve representation of intelligence in human beings, you’d know that both instances would exist.

Depends. Can either to stop one from being foolish?

well it’s really kind of a paradox. If you’re dumb, then there’s always somebody dumber than you which makes you smart to them, but if you’re smart, then there’s always someone smarter than you, which makes you dumb. so then the answer is…….42

Yes, the answer is 42, and is the answer to all questions that cannot be fully understood.

Quantum_Spirit wrote:

mazui wrote:
There’s no such thing as either one. Either you’re cocky or humble.

This comment makes no sense. What would cockiness and humbleness have to do with intelligence? They’re contextual based attitudes, not intelligence.

Everyone has skills in some area, we’re all pretty well balanced. If you think you’re smarter than everyone, then you’re really prideful. If you think you’re dumber than everyone else, than you are saying we aren’t all just as important as other people.

But I guess it’d be worse to be smarter and see all the dumb because you can’t get dumber so easily, but the dumb can get smart.

Quantum_Spirit wrote:
Depends. Can either to stop one from being foolish?

It would depend on the magnitude of the foolishness. But ultimately, I would say it is possible.

Well, you can’t teach a dog calculus. But yes, there can be progress in the level of intelligence.

I don’t think I’m smarter than everyone. I’ve never taken an IQ test so I don’t know what percentage I’m smarter than. I like to think I’m over the peak in the bell curve (smarter than 50%), though I can’t really say.

Being dumb, if you were dumb and around all the smart people you would always be left out if your dumb you always gonna be missing out like when everyone is laughing at a joke and your the only one who dosent get it.

If your smarter then everyone else sure you would feel alienated and probably anti social but you will always be the better one, almost like a god amonmg men, I think in thje long run someone would find that alot esier to accept.

Atleast in my perspective.

mills wrote:

Quantum_Spirit wrote:
Depends. Can either to stop one from being foolish?

It would depend on the magnitude of the foolishness. But ultimately, I would say it is possible.

Yes, I agree. But in reality everything is more complicated. For one to stop one from falling to fallacy, the magnitude of effort to find a solution may be greater than the negative effects of the fallacy. And so, problems will continue until a greater intelligence is found. Which happens with time and wisdom I suppose.

Quantum_Spirit wrote:
Well, you can’t teach a dog calculus. But yes, there can be progress in the level of intelligence.

I don’t think I’m smarter than everyone. I’ve never taken an IQ test so I don’t know what percentage I’m smarter than. I like to think I’m over the peak in the bell curve (smarter than 50%), though I can’t really say.

I truly think some people just enjoy being stupid and are unaffected by other people and their attempt to help them.

Nante wrote:
Being dumb, if you were dumb and around all the smart people you would always be left out if your dumb you always gonna be missing out like when everyone is laughing at a joke and your the only one who dosent get it.

If your smarter then everyone else sure you would feel alienated and probably anti social but you will always be the better one, almost like a god amonmg men, I think in thje long run someone would find that alot esier to accept.

Atleast in my perspective.

For some of the extremely intelligent, that might be true. But for the majority of more intelligent people, they are not “gods among men”. Other than that, your probably right; intelligence has a lot of perks.

mills wrote:
I truly think some people just enjoy being stupid and are unaffected by other people and their attempt to help them.

It’s one thing to guess at the thoughts of others, and another to believe you know. The gap in what we imagine someone else’s thoughts to be, and the reality is always bound be great because of the complexity that is the foundations of our thoughts.

However the power of observation is also great. And so, in good probability, we can make a good picture of what someone might be thinking at any given time. But that picture, is always half missing.

What you say does ring true some extent. But I doubt there’s anyone who thinks anywhere near that simply.

Most intelligent people do not realize the capacity of their own intelligence. And the few intelligent people that I have been around were usually modest, and namely they underestimated their own knowledge.

mills wrote:
Most intelligent people do not realize the capacity of their own intelligence. And the few intelligent people that I have been around were usually modest, and namely they underestimated their own knowledge.

But if you think about things in extremes its a little different,

Hypothetically speaking (not sure if I spelled that right)

If everyone around you was incredibly stupid, and you were incredibly smart, you would know and you would be at a great advantage, but if it was the other way around, and everyone around you was incredibly intellgent, and you were incredibly dumb, but just smart enough to know how dumb you are, that would be terrible because you would have to live in a world where in one way, your below everyone.
I think that would be terrible.

Quantum_Spirit wrote:

mills wrote:
I truly think some people just enjoy being stupid and are unaffected by other people and their attempt to help them.

It’s one thing to guess at the thoughts of others, and another to believe you know. The gap in what we imagine someone else’s thoughts to be, and the reality is always bound be great because of the complexity that is the foundations of our thoughts.

However the power of observation is also great. And so, in good probability, we can make a good picture of what someone might be thinking at any given time. But that picture, is always half missing.

What you say does ring true some extent. But I doubt there’s anyone who thinks anywhere near that simply.

Considering the world in general, I would have to agree with you. But there are some particular regions on earth with particular people that I seriously have to question whether or not they see themselves as for who they are. Being persistly stupid is not uncommon from my observational experiences.

Nante wrote:

mills wrote:
Most intelligent people do not realize the capacity of their own intelligence. And the few intelligent people that I have been around were usually modest, and namely they underestimated their own knowledge.

But if you think about things in extremes its a little different,

Hypothetically speaking (not sure if I spelled that right)

If everyone around you was incredibly stupid, and you were incredibly smart, you would know and you would be at a great advantage, but if it was the other way around, and everyone around you was incredibly intellgent, and you were incredibly dumb, but just smart enough to know how dumb you are, that would be terrible because you would have to live in a world where in one way, your below everyone.
I think that would be terrible.

But, in the case of extremes, can you imagine what life would be like if all your peers seemed dumb as a doorknob? It would be hellish, as you watch your closest mate do something so obviously stupid that you couldn’t stand to be near em. And so, this would ultimately lead our super-brain man to a life of solitude, and to abandon his fellow man. Or, to enslave the dumb in hopes of doing what seems like the correct thing to do.

A little grim, no?

Persistently stupid is observable, but fully understanding their reasoning and thoughts, would not be in my experience.

Nante wrote:

mills wrote:
Most intelligent people do not realize the capacity of their own intelligence. And the few intelligent people that I have been around were usually modest, and namely they underestimated their own knowledge.

But if you think about things in extremes its a little different,

Hypothetically speaking (not sure if I spelled that right)

If everyone around you was incredibly stupid, and you were incredibly smart, you would know and you would be at a great advantage, but if it was the other way around, and everyone around you was incredibly intellgent, and you were incredibly dumb, but just smart enough to know how dumb you are, that would be terrible because you would have to live in a world where in one way, your below everyone.
I think that would be terrible.

Very true, although I think every one has their own level of knowledge in specific fields. If I’m a farmer and know how to cultivate and harvest my crops without difficulty, then I’m going to continue that business with the comfort of knowing that a lawyer or an ambulence driver would likely have considerable trouble in maintaining that tract of land.

Quantum_Spirit wrote:

Nante wrote:

mills wrote:
Most intelligent people do not realize the capacity of their own intelligence. And the few intelligent people that I have been around were usually modest, and namely they underestimated their own knowledge.

But if you think about things in extremes its a little different,

Hypothetically speaking (not sure if I spelled that right)

If everyone around you was incredibly stupid, and you were incredibly smart, you would know and you would be at a great advantage, but if it was the other way around, and everyone around you was incredibly intellgent, and you were incredibly dumb, but just smart enough to know how dumb you are, that would be terrible because you would have to live in a world where in one way, your below everyone.
I think that would be terrible.

But, in the case of extremes, can you imagine what life would be like if all your peers seemed dumb as a doorknob? It would be hellish, as you watch your closest mate do something so obviously stupid that you couldn’t stand to be near em. And so, this would ultimately lead our super-brain man to a life of solitude, and to abandon his fellow man. Or, to enslave the dumb in hopes of doing what seems like the correct thing to do.

A little grim, no?

Absolutely, but you could live a life in with everything you ever wanted and you could con your way into getting anything yopu want you wouldnt have to enslave anyone, but if you were the one enslaving people…

Nante wrote:
[

Absolutely, but you could live a life in with everything you ever wanted and you could con your way into getting anything yopu want you wouldnt have to enslave anyone, but if you were the one enslaving people…

Now your dreaming. The super intelligent would have their own unattainable goals and dreams. The basic necessities of life might be acquired with less effort, indeed. Though I’m sure they would still want many things.

They’re all good thoughts though.

Quantum_Spirit wrote:

Nante wrote:
[

Absolutely, but you could live a life in with everything you ever wanted and you could con your way into getting anything yopu want you wouldnt have to enslave anyone, but if you were the one enslaving people…

Now your dreaming. The super intelligent would have their own unattainable goals and dreams. The basic necessities of life might be acquired with less effort, indeed. Though I’m sure they would still want many things.

hey the way I took the question it was already beyond the realm of reality, so why not get to dreaming :P

But your right there will always be something they want but if you had the whole world at your disposal, I think you could find ways to be constantly entertained at the least.

Quantum_Spirit wrote:
Persistently stupid is observable, but fully understanding their reasoning and thoughts, would not be in my experience.

Well I’m not mind-reader neither, but sometimes you have to draw conslusions based on evident cognition.

Sometimes yes. But I’m a firm believer in retaining the position of disbelief. There’s very little advantage in believing something that isn’t verifiable, and sometimes disadvantages. Which is why I often ask questions like, “what are you thinking right now?”, in the hopes of verifying my postulations.

its so funny how one silly little question started such a big discussion

Quite typical. Honestly, I expected and somewhat hoped for such great turnout. Which is why I posted when it was I thought of it. Although I don’t see why it’s silly. There’s some interesting wisdom to be gained from that question.

JDC wrote:
its so funny how one silly little question started such a big discussion

I thought it was a good question.

im not saying its bad……i was just surprised to see the responses

Specific responses, the sheer number of responses, or both?

Well to return to the question, I would say being smart gets the bigger end of the stick. The number one reason in my books, would be guilt-free actions in comparison to the dumb. The smart, theoretically don’t make the mistakes of the dumb, and so would feel better. Which is what this whole question is about; happiness.

So the smart person gets to have pride, while the dumb person get’s to have ignorance. Ah, I still can’t choose between sides of the conundrum. The problem in lacking conclusion lies within the lack of parameters. There is no specifics to either example so there’s always a new addition to tip the scales.

being dumb and seeing all the smart people.
that would be me^

Aw, I doubt that. Just by being honest would indicate a level of social intelligence many people don’t have.

Honesty is what builds relationships. Without honesty, there is no reason to socialize. You’ve overcome what so many people can’t, their own pride.

wait i dont understand what you said.
see im dumbb

Well do you understand english? Are you young?

yes i speak english & im 18

What words don’t you recognize?

i dont get how thiss…
Just by being honest would indicate a level of social intelligence many people don’t have.

relates to the topic

like social intelligence?

Well, part of the problem about the question is how general it is. There are many different kinds of intelligence. Ideally, in the question you would have a balance of those intelligences, much like the dumb would be incompetent evenly all around. And you have hit upon an intelligence that many people lack. Or just through blind luck, your an honest person.

What specific factors make a person that is socially honest a person of intelligence?

In this case, the user is able to overcome pride and tell us that he/she has difficulties. Because of this, we can try to help with those difficulties.

Honesty also shows a contempt for lying, which in general, is counter productive. There are a few occasions in which lying would be the best course of action. But those cases are only with enemies, not with social partners.

I almost want to believe you, although it seems honesty and intelligence are not quite connected on an objective scale. For someone who understands the importance of assistance and regards lying as disgraceful, then it would simply mean they are not discouraged by the humiliation of asking for help and that they do not sink to the depths of telling lies. Of course, being honest and refraining from telling lies will morally justify your rank in humanity, but it doesn’t seem to fundamentally constitute intelligence. I don’t know, the correlation just seems insufficient in the sense that honesty is only one undervalued element of intelligence and because there is a multitude of dishonest people that are mentally sharp.

No, I did not say honesty is a form of intelligence. I said it signifies that there probably is a certain amount of social intelligence that many people lack. Or, asstated earlier, just the blind luck of being honest through environmental psychological happenstance.

It’s true though, about honesty. Anthropological research has shown that for any society to function it needs, at least, two moral laws: no murder, and no lying. If people lie, then there is no point in having social interactions, there is no gain in being part of a society. However, no laws have been implemented fully in any society I know of. And so, we do not know the true potential of honesty. But I do know that by practicing it without this knowledge, you are performing a feat of intuition that many people lack.

But if I were dishonest, could I still not be socially intelligent?

You could yes, though it wouldn’t be so self evident.

What about presidents who tell lies? They are masters at social affair.

If you were a liar, it would also seem that you have to some extent followed a path of selfishness, which does not assist in benefiting society at some level. This would make you an introvert, depreciating the value of society in your eyes. This does not take away from social intelligence, per say. However it does have some negative implications towards your empathetic intelligence. Also your view of the aid of social constructs like technology, would be depreciated, to some extent, because your hindering progress and production, if infinitesimally so. This does say things about your intelligence. Although it’s persistently difficult to really measure ones intelligence. There are so many different forms.

I could be a hermit who is isolated in a dungeon of darkness with books of knowledge at my fingertips and write stories about how people behave in front of one another and how defected their social intelligence actually is. By doing this, you are being the observer and not the participant. And I think you can learn so much more on the aspects of improvement and flaws of humanity by living such a way.

That needed to be defective*

mazui wrote:
There’s no such thing as either one. Either you’re cocky or humble.

Yes…
but since im the dumb one always meeting ans seeing people who are smart… its hard to be in that situation…. trust me. Id actually rather not be the cocky kind anyway!

im not the smartest person around.. but i hate realizing that there are a lot of DUMB people out there…. I’m smarter than a large part of the people i meet… and that really concerns me because im pretty dumb sometimes! LOL

Its sad really… people just don’t think anymore… they’re just……im sorry they’re just dumb.. i don’t get it….

a lot of time i feel really alone because there are so many people who just don’t understand anything… No one wants to think about anything. I don’t know how many times a day I get asked really stupid questions that people should be perfectly capable of answering on their own. And how many people will argue about things they are flat out wrong about.

Maybe it’s not that people are dumb, they’re just too lazy to use their brains.

NotoriousKYA wrote:
im not the smartest person around.. but i hate realizing that there are a lot of DUMB people out there…. I’m smarter than a large part of the people i meet… and that really concerns me because im pretty dumb sometimes! LOL

Its sad really… people just don’t think anymore… they’re just……im sorry they’re just dumb.. i don’t get it….

a lot of time i feel really alone because there are so many people who just don’t understand anything… No one wants to think about anything. I don’t know how many times a day I get asked really stupid questions that people should be perfectly capable of answering on their own. And how many people will argue about things they are flat out wrong about.

Maybe it’s not that people are dumb, they’re just too lazy to use their brains.

Look at it this way… im dyslexic.. extremely dyslexic and that makes me seem dumb… althought i think im dumb… im really not… at least at some things. I never knew that there were people that thought that… like i cant believe theres so many dumb people out there… makes me feel horrible to be one :’(

You’re not dumb, Willard. I am also dyslexic to a certain degree I believe. There are certain moments when I have to read over something 3 or 4 times before I finally comprehend what is being conveyed. It also hurts me when I attempt to combine words for the times that I need to express my thoughts to someone else. I will usually misuse words, or convey something so abstruse that it paints bewilderment on the faces of others when you know the critical error is very close at undergoing examination in their minds while the embarrassment usually tends to ensue.

To many things in my lifetime makes me think different .There is really no dumb ,unless sick.For instance you might think he or she is so dumb.. Let me tell you my Mother was not very educated she only went to school for 2 years because in those Days children were needed for Farm Work and my Grand Parents had 14 .Well if my Mother wasn’t the 14TH i wouldnt be here.Anyway after the War we lived in a House outside the town with another Family Dad was always away trying to make things happened poor Mum tried to keep us alive .Upstairs were the other Family both were Teachers ,educated with Diplomas hanging all over. Now on how many occasions did the women come down to Mum to ask for Food almost 3 times a Week because she or they did not know how to survive .Mum could make Syrup Schnapps out of almost nothing she made us something to eat and that with only 2 years of Schooling .No Don’t tell me there is dumb or smart maybe not educated like some .I have seen great Engineers with Diplomas of all kind could not find a Job because it was not recognised by this Government.. Oh i could go on and on …Somebody better stop me..

it’s all pretty balanced; intelligent people experience other levels of happiness but also often face more serious problems as they are the first to notice the stupid actions of others and of humanity as a whole; dumber people have pretty simple problems but can’t really experience some levels of happiness… they are probably happier because they often don’t really know the other point of view and are not really aware that they are slightly dumber than others…
it’s a hard question though :)

ying and yang my friend
both equal

Smart.

I enjoy casting my scrutinizing gaze over the masses. What of it?

being dumb would be the worst. Being the smart one would be the better one :>

To be truly wise is to fully realize one’s own complete state of ignorance.

To me this reflects simple personal goals. Do you want to be happy, or know the truth? I choose the truth, though it pains me greatly.

I would rather be smart and act stupid so i could hang with all the other dumb people
PS: NON-ignorant dumb people are fun

People who call themselfs smart are dumb so…

being smart but acting dumb ;)

Anonymous wrote:
People who call themselfs smart are dumb so…

What would classify as dumb or smart to you?

ameliaearthlin wrote:
ying and yang my friend
both equal

Hmm yes, the yin yang principles are very good. Though I find they lack the clarity that is found in a world full of complexities to behold. The good and bad will only balance out if you continue to build points for each side. What if your inclined to notice certain aspects of this life more than another? What does this tell you about the nature of reality?

It tells me that this life is subjective. And that our experiences are accumulative and not neccessarily balanced in perfect unison like the yin and yang. It tells me that the true nature of our universe is ultimately beyond our comprehension.

Mr. P wrote:
To me this reflects simple personal goals. Do you want to be happy, or know the truth? I choose the truth, though it pains me greatly.

I find myself saying the same thing.