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  1. #1

    Why is it hard to find smart people ?

    So I want to find relatively smart people for interesting conversations. But every time I find someone that might be intelligent, and it turns out they have some absurd idiotic belief that destroys all of their credibility. Astrology, UFOs, conspiracy theories, psychic powers, ancient technological civilizations, ghosts, etc... Why is that ? Is it impossible for someone to have a critical way of thinking ?
    Last edited by haxartus; 2014-03-19 at 07:41 PM.

  2. #2
    Maybe change your perspective. Interesting conversation does not have to be informative or intellectual. All of that can be quite funny to talk about when people are being serious about it. *shurg* More banter, less lecture! lol
    "If you want to control people, if you want to feed them a pack of lies and dominate them, keep them ignorant. For me, literacy means freedom." - LaVar Burton.

  3. #3
    Well I was going to start a good conversation about my pal Casper the psychic ghost with an ancient rocket launcher from space, but now you ruined it.

  4. #4
    Maybe smart people don't like to hang out with people who whine about what other people think or believe
    "You six-piece Chicken McNobody."
    Quote Originally Posted by RICH816 View Post
    You are a legend thats why.

  5. #5
    Lots of intellectuals believe in religious and spiritual stuff for example. Quite a few Big Bang supporters are also deeply spiritual if I am remembering my DSC shows correctly. My point is that people's beliefs don't make them intelligent or non-intelligent. Give everyone a chance and everyone has something interesting to say. Sometimes though you might want to have a few beers beforehand.

  6. #6
    The Patient simsumre's Avatar
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    Maybe smart people are those capable of looking outside the box, not just what the media tells them is okay to look into. Maybe smart people are above belittle others for their beliefs, especially on controversial issues. Maybe you're not looking for smart people to talk to... maybe you're looking to talk to people that believe what you believe? Maybe you're simply intolerant, while preaching tolerance, and are simply a hypocrite? Try California, I heard that's where the trendy hipster Liberals hang out.

  7. #7
    Mechagnome Lefeng's Avatar
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    I often find myself in a similar position. Last week I saw an interesting documentary on the process of becoming a Master Sommelier. I was talking to a coworker about it, the one coworker who I thought I could have had a meaningful conversation about it, and she had no idea what I was talking about. She thought I was talking about Somalia.

    A sommelier is an expert in wines, beers, and sakes. We work in a winery. She's worked there for two years and hadn't ever heard of a sommelier.

    After I told her what a sommelier does, she began ridiculing the entire profession because "Wine should be fun! Those guys are too serious!" I told her I have a lot of respect for anyone with the dedication and discipline to learn virtually everything about a particular subject, whether it's wine or physics and left it at that.

    I didn't tell her that she is a sommelier.

  8. #8
    How I can talk with someone about the recent gravitational waves discovery when they believe in astrology ?
    How can I talk about with someone about history when they believe that there was an ancient civilization more advanced than us ?
    How can I talk with someone about politics when they have their own crazy conspiracy theory about how the world works ?

  9. #9
    Deleted
    if you think that you are surrounded by stupid people you have 2 choises close your self to a bubble and dont talk to anyone or kill your self in both cases you will do on the rest of the ppl that know you a favour
    Tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are
    Last edited by mmoc209c357abe; 2014-03-19 at 06:45 PM.

  10. #10
    Immortal TEHPALLYTANK's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by haxartus View Post
    How I can talk with someone about the recent gravitational waves discovery when they believe in astrology ?
    How can I talk about with someone about history when they believe that there was an ancient civilization more advanced than us ?
    How can I talk with someone about politics when they have their own crazy conspiracy theory about how the world works ?
    The real question is where are you finding people who simultaneously believe in all those things.
    Quote Originally Posted by Bigbamboozal View Post
    Intelligence is like four wheel drive, it's not going to make you unstoppable, it just sort of tends to get you stuck in more remote places.
    Quote Originally Posted by MerinPally View Post
    If you want to be disgusted, next time you kiss someone remember you've got your mouth on the end of a tube which has shit at the other end, held back by a couple of valves.

  11. #11
    Well...You better blame gaussian distribution.

  12. #12
    It's a disaster and real tragedy if one doesn't believe anything.

  13. #13
    The Patient sourmonkey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by haxartus View Post
    So I want to find relatively smart people for interesting conversations.
    Because I do not want to hold a trivial conversation with a being over the internet .
    You want a logical conversation , look at university's not gaming forums .

    But seriously thinking your smarter than others makes you stupid as #%^

  14. #14
    Immortal Luko's Avatar
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    The OP words it really badly, but I can relate. I couldn't care less how "intelligent" the person is, but it seems like the last 5 years or so, people are really lacking the social skills to make conversation interesting, regardless of the topic. So many awkward silences or me carrying the discussion one sided (which I promise isn't my intention.)

    It sort of feels like the dependency on social media has made people very socially awkward. If they don't have the time to think and type their response, they're no good face to face. Just an observation.
    Mountains rise in the distance stalwart as the stars, fading forever.
    Roads ever weaving, soul ever seeking the hunter's mark.

  15. #15
    Uhm, so basically you're saying that when someone doesn't believe in something you do is stupid? Not sure what advice to give you here except wish you luck with finding anyone who'd like to have a conversation with a person with that way of thinking.
    Man often meets his destiny, on the path he takes to avoid it.

  16. #16
    Quote Originally Posted by Bats View Post
    Uhm, so basically you're saying that when someone doesn't believe in something you do is stupid? Not sure what advice to give you here except wish you luck with finding anyone who'd like to have a conversation with that way of thinking.
    Isn't that how most threads here work? lol

    - - - Updated - - -

    Quote Originally Posted by Lefeng View Post
    I often find myself in a similar position. Last week I saw an interesting documentary on the process of becoming a Master Sommelier. I was talking to a coworker about it, the one coworker who I thought I could have had a meaningful conversation about it, and she had no idea what I was talking about. She thought I was talking about Somalia.

    A sommelier is an expert in wines, beers, and sakes. We work in a winery. She's worked there for two years and hadn't ever heard of a sommelier.

    After I told her what a sommelier does, she began ridiculing the entire profession because "Wine should be fun! Those guys are too serious!" I told her I have a lot of respect for anyone with the dedication and discipline to learn virtually everything about a particular subject, whether it's wine or physics and left it at that.

    I didn't tell her that she is a sommelier.
    Should wait a few more weeks and bring it up again, report back with any changes in her attitude lol
    "You six-piece Chicken McNobody."
    Quote Originally Posted by RICH816 View Post
    You are a legend thats why.

  17. #17
    Quote Originally Posted by haxartus View Post
    So I want to find relatively smart people for interesting conversations. But every time I find someone that might be intelligent, and it turns out they have some absurd idiotic belief that destroys all of their credibility. Astrology, UFOs, conspiracy theories, psychic powers, ancient technological civilizations, ghosts, etc... Why is that ? Is it impossible for someone to have a real critical thinking ?
    Sounds like you need to join a good skeptic group or organisation. Still, talking to people with those beliefs doesn't mean they lack intelligence, and in fact having discussions with those people on those subject, as long as it remains civil, can be enlightening and fulfilling for both parties.

    Don't write off people because they might believe something you find absurd, use it as a chance to educate them on the logic behind your ideals, as well as a opportunity to gain insight as to why they follow that train of thought.

  18. #18
    Quote Originally Posted by haxartus View Post
    How I can talk with someone about the recent gravitational waves discovery when they believe in astrology ?
    How can I talk about with someone about history when they believe that there was an ancient civilization more advanced than us ?
    How can I talk with someone about politics when they have their own crazy conspiracy theory about how the world works ?
    Astrology dictates that the stars and planetary bodies have an effect on your personal life through a spiritual connection. It doesn't have anything to do with dictating facts about gravity. I see no issue there.

    The person believe in one more historic civilization then you do, that doesn't disprove or remove any of the facts related to the historical civilization you believe in.

    You think they are a sheeple, they think you are a sheeple. Every single argument about politics in the world revolves around everyone thinking everyone else is a sheeple.

  19. #19
    Because you're looking for them. When you go out of your way to find "smart" people, what you actually do is find "outspoken" people - and there's a huge difference, as in that case you'll only find people who think they are smart.

    You're better off looking for normal people who share a common interest - for example, hiking, bird-watching, larping, toastmasters, sportsing - and you'll find smart people within that group.
    You're not allowed to discuss conspiracy theories on mmo-champion, which makes me wonder what they're trying to hide.

  20. #20
    travel to another country and find friends ! try germany ... i guess you find a lot of very smart people , or try any other country. smart people are everywhere, exactly like dumb ones

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