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Why are unintelligent people often so popular? Sure, there are plenty of intelligent people who are popular, as well as unintelligent people who aren't, too, but still.
From what I've observed, an unintelligent person has more time to work on his social skills as opposed to his intelligent counterpart who spends all of his time studying. Furthermore, this is maybe just my observation here, but from what I've noticed people who are really smart tend to have a superiority complex and look down on others. Most of the nerds that I know are like that. Those that I've observed are popular are more outgoing and free spirited. Generally, they talk to people as equals and are much more fun to be around. The sad part is that in the end social skills are more applicable in the real world than book smarts.
I've never had nor seen this experience, tho, I'm not saying your statement isn't true. I'm not intelligent... well book smart anyway, but I'm no air head either. Growing up and even now, the popular "unintelligent people" were the ones that would cause trouble and get away with it and usually ended up picking fun at others that weren't in the popular group just to have a good laugh. The friends I have now are nerdy, some of them as nerdy as they get. Very few of them look down on others, actually I can only think of a couple... but all the other nerds I hang out with are really laid back and pretty much get along with anyone and are willing to accept anyone or at least give someone a chance.
I'm not saying that everyone who is smart has a superiority complex, I've actually met nerds who are exactly like you said, I'm just saying that I pretty much hang out with assholes.
They aren't my friends, just people I hang out with at lunch. I talk to them but I only really go near them cause my best friend's gf hangs out with them thus he has to and he's my best friend. But I only go by their group like once a week for during lunch.
Pretty generic statement at the end about social skills being more beneficial than scholastic intelligence. Actually, as long as you work diligently to find a niche that provides a service for x market--a niche in which you can apply all your nerdiness--then you will be quite well-off.
source(s): being a nerd and knowing lots of nerds...tons, actually, who have succeeded.
I'm still in high school, so I don't know much about the real world. That last statement was basically statement which meant that social skills are required for the real world more than book smarts. But I appreciate your words because I do worry about the future.
Don't worry too much :) There are certain positions that are practically guaranteed to popular people, but knowing how to manipulate social fields doesn't mean you can talk your way into mechanical engineering school, if you know what I mean.
Einstein said it, "Everyone is a genius, but if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, you will live your whole life believing it is stupid."
Find what you're good at. Nourish what you're good at. Kick fucking ass at what you're good at, and I promise, you'll go places.
Yeah you have some good points there , I've noticed those too. I spose free spirited , light and friendly's a good thing tho really isn't it. I really admire it.
But it's the really boring ones that get me.
You're drawing a false correlation here. Drawing high intelligence combined with other highly socially desired traits such as attractiveness and "people skills" is statistically improbable. You should look at popularity as a completely separate population. I would presume the rates of intellectuality (IQs of 140 and up) would be consistent with the human population at large.
Well I think people like to be entertained.
The more intelligent the person is the more he will think before he acts, and the less he will do to get others to like him/her.
Since people who are stupid are probobly more fun, reckless, and risk takers. Apposed to the person who is intelligent and does not want to get STDs, in trouble or arrested.
Maybe the 'popular' people have the confidence to ask more questions and say what's on their mind therefore seeming unintelligent.
I think that thenreason they are the "best" because they have more social time due to the lack of work they are particapating in.
I'm in highest honors and I am one of the few popular girls in my grade in a good way!
And PS. Life must be pretty weird having unintelligent people acting the best!
Maybe the "unintelligent" person has more social skills. Making friends isn't about how many digits of pi you can recite, it's about how fun you are to be around.
For some reason most unintelligent people are also pretty. Not me though, I am as ugly as I am stupid.
well cause many pple arent so they can relate to em more ;)lol.
Ok the truth is that i guess theyre jus more entertaining and less intimidating to em, plus pple tend to enjoy watching train wrecks unfortunately, look at jersey shore.
The less intelligent person usually knows it and so asks questions about the other person. The more intelligent person loves the fact that someone is interested in their lives and so in turn, likes that person. Dead easy!!
Intelligent people often want to be 'known' as such and so don't let their hair down enough to have a real 'belly laugh' so they are boring as hell.
When out at the weekend in the bars and clubs, I prefer to leave the intellectual chat to my daily routine, and laugh and joke with my friends.