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Despite working at a fairly senior level - I have encountered many, many people more intelligent than me.
Emotional intelligence had been getting more emphasis in organisations - and it is definitely needed, but in deeds not policies which in reality is often only for appearance.
The best thing I have ever done professionally is to care for my colleagues and treat them with dignity.
I did so many IQ tests in my teens my score went up 15
No wonder you appear obsessed with intelligence! Why did you have so many IQ tests as a teen, why was it so important to keep checking your IQ?
Most people don't have a proper professionally arranged IQ test in their whole lives.
In my totally nonexpert way I consider the brain to possess similar qualities to muscle. Genetics plays a part with regards to how strong you are and how big your muscles are, but you can make yourself stronger by building more muscle, or weaker by neglecting your muscles.
You can learn to improve your memory or the ability to do mental arithmetic by simply practicing a lot.
I was always good at science / maths but I can't give good advice on interpersonal problems, I couldn't walk into a room of people and get them to invest in my startup, I'm not the quick-wittiest person in conversation etc etc. When I was a teenager, I didn't think those skills mattered a jot. The older I get, the more envious of people that have the 'all round' skillset, even if they aren't quite so good at the countdown numbers 😀
My child, he knows everything
Apparently
Teenager? Yeah - sounds familiar!
Couldn’t read/use an excel spreadsheet, or on one occasion; work a self check-out at Tesco.
Arf. My uncle taught Physics at (roughly) A level standard in Ireland. A an intelligent, thoughtful man. Was left alone with the kids for an afternoon and blew the fuse box, destroyed the sandwich toaster, and set a small fire in the kitchen by somehow getting the power lead inside a cheese toastie
However I know for a fact that at times she lacks the most common of common sense, and sees the world in strange ways.
I think there is often this assumption that being highly intelligent, in the top tiny percent, is always a great gift. I am sure that it brings with it quite a few problems, including feelings of isolation and sometimes unusual behaviour which doesn't sit comfortably with the norm.
One of the most intelligent person, in the normal definition of the term, I have ever known was a friend of mine who was about 15 years older. He came from the Rhondda Valley, his father was a coal miner but instead of going down the pits, as expected, he ended up with a PhD in biochemistry. He was something of a political mentor to me.
Yet despite, or possibly because of, his undoubtedly high level of intelligence he was a mess. He was constantly having what he called "mini breakdowns", he couldn't cope with simple emotional stuff. He ended up commiting suicide.
Why did you have so many IQ tests as a teen, why was it so important to keep checking your IQ?
I did quite a few as well. For some reason we took them in English lessons between 14 - 16 years old.
And yes you do get better after doing a few - technique on completion, awareness of similar types of questions and so on. I got to 160 by the time I was 16.
Different to all the phds listed above but an old next door neighbour of mine had a general knowledge that would crush pub quizzes, pubquiz machines etc.
I once had a conversation with Nick Clegg lasting around 15mins. Possibly one of the most articulate, intelligent and insightful people I’ve ever had a brief chat with.
I can well believe that, there was only one reason why cleggmania grabbed the nation - Nick Clegg.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/cleggmania-spreads-across-britain-1947687.html
Clegg's decision to prop up a Tory Prime Minister and his determination to implement severe austerity might have cost the LibDems very dearly, 12 years on their level of support is still only half of what it was, but he has carved out a highly successful career for himself on the back of being former deputy Prime Minister.
The geezer is clearly not daft, far from it.
My wife apparently... there is nothing she doesn't know.
I did quite a few as well. For some reason we took them in English lessons between 14 – 16 years old.
How strange. I have only ever had one IQ test, it was when I was 13. I think the woman who I did it with, it was a one-to-one, was a professional psychologist.
I am fairly sure that she had a stop watch which is used with every question although I can't be completely certain.
I can't see how that scenario would work in a classroom environment. Or even the point of repeated IQ tests. There is usually a specific reason for taking a child's IQ.
My old maths teacher used to say "the mind is like a garden - it needs to be tended to keep it under control".
I think he was correct - the people who come across as inteligent are often the ones who not only started out with a decent brain, but have trained it and exercised it in ways that cause it to function effectively.
Conversely it's possible to start out with a decent brain and end up a dullard due to lack of stimulation.
Not sure, I suspect it was someone who appeared quite modest and unassuming but had the universe, this planet and its occupants sussed.
In my jobs I've met highly qualified people in prestigious roles who were peddling a pack of lies in the corporate interest - surely assuming people are stupid enought to fall for your bullshit is not very intelligent. I've met people brilliant in a particular field but so flawed in others it would be hard to call them intelligent. The genius who sneaks out for a crafty fag or something stronger, stupid. The high IQ, high flyer who has a huge carbon footprint or contributes to making this beautiful planet uglier - plain thick. Intelligence that's fatally flawed.
I don't have much faith in IQ tests, I've done a few, a couple under the right conditions, it struck me they were testing only a tiny part of my intelligence and if I scored well it was because I was good at that type of test not because I'm particularly intelligent, I'm just good at spotting patterns and anomalies.
I'll have go though, Bill, the Peak District park warden who occupied the cottage at North Lees in the 80s and 90s. Well read, worldly wise, practical and always working to make everthing and everybody around him better.
Sheldon Glashow. Yes THAT Sheldon was named after him.
And it was as part of my PhD to give you an idea of my past.
The clever rich kids had BBC micros
Thanks! I saved for four years doing a paper round and gardening for old ladies to pay for mine! It was a huge struggle for a single parent family.
FWIW I think that Music shouldn't be classed as one of those intelligence types as I think it's a compound of the other skills; pattern recognition from maths, memory skills, some kinesthesic ability depending on the instrument you play, the creative when improvising/composing and also interpersonal emotional skills to play in an ensemble
I did so many IQ tests in my teens my score went up 15 pts. IQ tests measure how good you are at doing IQ tests not intelligence
I did the same test (exactly the same test) at two different employers in the same field about 20 years ago, the intention of the test is that you shouldn't be able to finish, and how far you get, plus your score in various areas gives a handle on skill types etc etc.
The second test i finished with 10 minutes to spare, and got a "perfect" score. They made an offer before i'd left the building.
Shame they were a terrible employer (and still pay absolute bottom dollar across the board).
You can have all of those and still be tone deaf, Edhornby. Sing something in key and then try to sing it in harmony on the fifth, you've just proven you have lousy musical intelligence.
Smartest person i know from school regularly stands up in front of governments and tells them they're idiots (politely).
Senior specialist in environmental sciences for one of the major players in the field.
Started a BSc, and converted to the MSc at the end of the second year (4 year degree). Started his PhD before his peers had finished their BSc. Then some jiggery pokery with funding and transferred his PhD to one of the Oxford colleges. Then did a second successful PhD in a related field.
Still, he can't tie his shoelaces and despite having a driving licence, refuses to get behind the wheel as he feels he is a danger to others.
Ironically, the smartest person my brother knows is one of his direct reports...
My Uncle was probably the cleverest person I know/knew. Grew up in a rough area of Leeds in the 40s/50s, was identified at school as being particularly clever and was able to go to Cambridge at a time when people from that background were few and far between. Went on to win the Davisson–Germer Prize for Physics and ended up being director of a particle accellerator.
As well as being "educationally brilliant" he was also worldly wise but also very likable, friendly and down to earth.
Cancer took him far too young 🙁
I can’t see how that scenario would work in a classroom environment.
Works perfectly. Each student at their individual desk - given IQ test paper and told to start when timer starts and end when timer ends, not surprisingly just the same as any other test. No better place to do them really...
My sister-in-law who was a very senior team leader on the James Webb telescope project (she was in charge of the sunshield part of the project) with an understanding of complex mathematical calculations that I couldn't even scratch the surface of understanding. But put her in a room with anyone and you would never know - just down to earth, fun, playful, engaging and a mean GTA player too.
Saying that though, in an escape room we had to solve a maths question and my wife solved it before she did (I guess it was so glaringly obvious that she looked far beyond it).
but if Clegg was so smart, why did he not see that the Tories were going to use every dirty trick in the book so dump them out of the powersharing ?? Even the average voter knew they would do that and they did. I'm not convinced tbh - there are a lot of people who can provide a fast answer that sounds plausible but that doesn't equal smart to me. Considering he's now a PR apologist for Facebook - I suspect that his wife is the smart one
Nick Clegg lasting around 15mins. Possibly one of the most articulate, intelligent and insightful people I’ve ever had a brief chat with. I know this will be controversial for many.
I'm not disputing that he's clever but that description would fit most of the politicians that I've ever met. An ability to meet complete strangers, make small talk and pretend to know what the other person is going on about must be be fairly essential, as well as some sort of charisma so that they can get to a high level in politics.
Works perfectly. Each student at their individual desk – given IQ test paper
I seem to remember that when I did mine each question/problem and the time it was took was timed with a stopwatch, or at least some were. Also the psychologist herself asked me questions, it wasn't like an exam paper, it didn't test my ability to read.
And I still don't understand why a school would want to regular test all pupils IQ. I thought the point of IQ tests was to see, although not necessarily very accurately, whether there was a specific problem?
wheelsonfire1
...in the Fire Service we had at a certain period lots of miners (retained) and ex miners. They used what they called “pit logic”, solutions to the problems we faced at times came from that source.
This is fascinating. I'd like to hear more about this.
I’m not disputing that he’s clever but that description would fit most of the politicians that I’ve ever met. An ability to meet complete strangers, make small talk and pretend to know what the other person is going on about must be be fairly essential, as well as some sort of charisma so that they can get to a high level in politics.
I would kind of agree with this.
I too met him (although briefly) when I worked in the NHS in Sheffield, he is very eloquent and had a demeanour of knowing what he was on about.
I think that is a learned skill. When I used to work for a FTSE 25 company the Director of Finance came to see us. Going back 20 yrs ago he earned something like £2m per year basic salary. He had been well prepped, knew what to say and how to act. Probably didnt do much at all directly to do with Finance, but was used to being in the political world (as you have to be in that kind of company at that level)
I’m not disputing that he’s clever but that description would fit most of the politicians that I’ve ever met. An ability to meet complete
That suggests that most politicians are clever - which is somewhat at odds with the general stw consensus!
but if Clegg was so smart, why did he not see that the Tories were going to use every dirty trick in the book.....
I think it was a combination of many things and not necessarily a sign of not being very smart. To be fair his strategy was fully supported by other LibDem politicians such as Vince Cable and Danny Alexander, neither are considered to be not very smart.
At the risk of going off on a tangent IMO the reasons include, the fact that the Nick Clegg shares the same economic philosophy as the Tories**, making the case for austerity to deal with the deficit was a way of attacking and discrediting Labour - their main anti-Tory rival, the fact that it had been long assumed that one of the greatest handicaps the LibDems had was that they were not seen as a serious party of government, and the lure of a ministerial car, enhanced salary, and ego-boosting status.
** Adherence to a specific economic philosophy is not a sign of intelligence, otherwise all clever people would agree on the same economic policies.
I seem to remember that when I did mine each question/problem and the time it was took was timed with a stopwatch, or at least some were. Also the psychologist herself asked me questions, it wasn’t like an exam paper, it didn’t test my ability to read.
A standard IQ test has an overall time (which is tight for most) which is where technique comes into it on not wasting time on stuff you don't know the answer to immediately.
And I still don’t understand why a school would want to regular test all pupils IQ. I thought the point of IQ tests was to see, although not necessarily very accurately, whether there was a specific problem?
Not at all. I think your test was very specific and maybe to see if you had any problems given a psychologist was involved. Did they let you out afterwards 🙂
Not at all
Fairy nuff. I didn't realise that school did IQ tests. I'm assuming that the results weren't made public?
I’m not disputing that he’s clever but that description would fit most of the politicians that I’ve ever met. An ability to meet complete
That suggests that most politicians are clever – which is somewhat at odds with the general stw consensus!
No, only the handful I've met. None of them have been Tories. 😀
No, only the handful I’ve met. None of them have been Tories
That makes it worse then! Bearing in mind that non-Tory politicians tend to be less successful at their stated aims.
In my jobs I’ve met highly qualified people in prestigious roles who were peddling a pack of lies in the corporate interest – surely assuming people are stupid enought to fall for your bullshit is not very intelligent.
I met many of them or worked alongside them, worked for them before. They are intelligent no doubt about that but just as they gifted/born with such intelligent they have forgotten who they are and consider themselves above all else. Then one day I see them fall, again and again, deeper and deeper to the point of no return. Once they start to fall they fall no matter how they tried, they fall. Then into insignificant. Like the ash, when the wind blows it disperse. Never to be heard again. (happened to most of my big bosses)
Btw kerley you claim:
I got to 160 by the time I was 16.
You do realise that is exactly the same IQ it is claimed Albert Einstein had, don't you?
Now I don't doubt that you are an extraordinarily smart guy and highly intelligent, but it does make me suspect that the multiple IQ tests which you had at school might have been a tad flawed.
Re: iq tests...
A number of years ago I had a wee experiment to myself. I found two, supposedly mensa approved iq test on different websites. The first one, I gave it my best shot. The second, I didn't read the questions or answers just selected random boxes.
Test 1= iq of 131
Test 2= iq of 105
I'm not smart enough to draw a conclusion from those results 🤣
You do realise that is exactly the same IQ it is claimed Albert Einstein had, don’t you?
Yep, it was noted at the time! It tends to decline with age and at 55 my IQ is now down at just over 140.
Now I don’t doubt that you are an extraordinarily smart guy and highly intelligent, but it does make me suspect that the multiple IQ tests which you had at school might have been a tad flawed.
Nope, they were fine. I am just very suited to doing them - I think very quickly so always complete every question with time to go back to the ones that take a bit longer to work out and my brain seems to be good at dealing with the type of questions in the test.
I think I just swooned
I was privileged to call him a friend for many years, and to have collaborated with him on a few projects. He the obituary doesn't mention a quarter of the things in which he was highly accomplished, including the fact that he was a classical pianist accredited to professional accompanist level from the Italian conservatory, and a master boat-builder and sailor.
He was a man who understood life, including its magic, and manifested it with integrity at all times. There was nothing in which he couldn't find some feature of interest, and was as adept at talking about mathematics as classics as medicine as philology as history, at the highest academic level. I should add that he was able to do so in Italian, English, and German (at least), as well as classical Greek and Latin. Yet there was absolutely no snobbery in him.
Unfortunately, he lost patience with me when I took on a management role, and decided that we could no longer be friends. Yet my admiration for him as a person, and his intellect, remains undiminished.
Tragically, he lost his life to a previously undetected brain tumour, and I was never able to reconcile with him. I remember him constantly.
and at 55 my IQ is now down at just over 140.
You are still taking IQ tests? Why?
Bearing in mind that non-Tory politicians tend to be less successful at their stated aims.
With the stated aims of most Tory politicians being lying and screwing over anyone earning under £150k a year?
You are still taking IQ tests? Why?
Same reason people keep voting for Tories?
This is interesting - countries by IQ ranking
Top 10 Countries with the Highest Intelligence Capital Index - 2017:
United States - 74.88 (A+)
United Kingdom - 64.19 (A)
Germany - 64.18 (A)
Australia - 63.96 (A)
Singapore - 63.60 (A)
Sweden - 61.58 (A)
Switzerland - 61.57 (A)
Canada - 61.15 (A)
Finland - 60.45 (A)
Denmark - 60.25 (A)
Here are the 10 countries with the highest IQ:
Japan - 106.48
Taiwan - 106.47
Singapore - 105.89
Hong Kong - 105.37
China - 104.1
South Korea - 102.35
Belarus - 101.6
Finland - 101.2
Liechtenstein - 101.07
Germany - 100.74
With the stated aims of most Tory politicians being lying and screwing over anyone earning under £150k a year?
Those are definitely not the stated aims of Tory politicians.
I think they are a bit cleverer than you might give them credit for.
Top 10 Countries with the Highest Intelligence Capital Index – 2017:
United States – 74.88 (A+)
Mmm 🤔
In 2017 the United States had just elected Donald Trump as US president. Much to the bewildered amusement of the rest of the world.
Great entertainment value, but not necessarily so if you were American.
Unfortunately, he lost patience with me when I took on a management role, and decided that we could no longer be friends.
Sounds like you have become his boss or went above him which he did not like? Not good enough to manage him?
Tragically, he lost his life to a previously undetected brain tumour, and I was never able to reconcile with him. I remember him constantly.
Sorry to hear that.
Mmm 🤔
In 2017 the United States had just elected Donald Trump as US president. Much to the bewildered amusement of the rest of the world.
Great entertainment value, but not necessarily so if you were American.
They don't get to be superpower for low intelligence put it another way. LOL
Sir Gerrard Robinson.
Business leader, mp, tycoon.
Very quick thinker, grasped concepts quickly and you could tell, wjen talking to him he was actually listening to what you had to say.
Rather than those annoying ****s who pretend to but are trying to shoe in a tale about something vaguely related, in which they did something much better than you and therefore you must be crap and they're brilliant.
My nephew. Astro physicist Very clever for a ypung man. Way ahead of every one through school, excelled at Uni. I didn't know how clever till the Dean read out an obituary stating his death will be a loss to the world wide space science community. Dead at 21 of a previously undiagnosed heart issue.
You are still taking IQ tests? Why?
Just for the hell of it. I don't take one everyday, just every few years. Not sure why you are so interested in this TBH. Maybe some hang ups about IQ tests from those dark days of yours with the child psychologist? 🙂