25 Things That Reveal Remarkable Intelligence, As Shared By People Online

Reddit is a platform where users from all walks of life come together to share experiences, knowledge, and opinions. One interesting discussion that recently caught the attention of many was a question posted on the r/AskReddit subreddit: “What’s a subtle sign that someone is very intelligent?”

#1

Image source: Isla_Eldar, Pragyan Bezbaruah/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They struggle with imposter syndrome. Dumb people always think they’re the tits.

#2

Image source: WhimsyWhisperr_, ICSA/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Someone who can understand someone’s opposing view without having to agree with it or get angry over it.

#3

Image source: Adorable-Angell, Mikhail Nilov/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They’re very observant, sometimes reserved.

#4

Image source: eric_ts, Felicity Tai/Pexels (not the actual photo)

I have met several off the charts intelligent people. One thing I noticed that they have in common was low self esteem. They had an actual low self esteem club at the science fiction club I belonged to. The guy who did a lot of the calculations that allowed the Voyager probes to make the Grand Tour of our solar system was a member of the club. All he could think about were what he didn’t know or what he physically couldn’t do. The common issue I observed from these bright folks was relentless school bullying. We lose so many of these geniuses to depression, suicide, self medication, or just flat out self inflicted mediocrity—society in the US does a s****y job of nurturing intelligence, it makes me incredibly angry how many of these people’s potential were wasted. (I don’t include myself in that club—My intelligence is dead average.) Frank Zappa said it best when he said that intelligence is treated like a hideous deformity by American society.

#5

Image source: Heavy_Direction1547, Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They feel challenged rather than threatened by new things, problems, ideas…

#6

Image source: G-T-R-F-R-E-A-K-1-7, ma Miroshnichenko/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They are ok with being perceived as “stupid” by asking questions – if we hold back in fear, we’ll never truly learn. Plus it’s a good way to show others it’s ok to question things if you don’t understand – better off if we’re on the same page instead of hoping things work out without being informed.

#7

VERY quick wit.

Not at all interested in proving how smart they are.

Image source: BreezyBellee_

#8

One thing I’ve noticed is that really intelligent people tend to be empathetic. They’ve quietly analyzed many situations and have thought critically about them.

Image source: Winstonisapuppy

#9

Image source: FormerBabyy, Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels (not the actual photo)

If someone is actually intelligent, they don’t put down the intelligence of others or make others’ accomplishments seem small. I’ve never met a genuinely intelligent person who feels the need to directly (or even indirectly) hint that someone else is “not so smart.”.

#10

Image source: loki143, Elle Hughes/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They explain complex topics by using metaphors and analogies.

#11

Image source: Grimaldi_Francesco, fauxels/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They talk only when they have something to say.

#12

Image source: Crystalline-Luck, Vanessa Garcia/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Honestly, after reading their work, debates, talks, podcasts, discussions, arguing, etc, I noticed they often use conditions in their sentences that’s not absolute. There’s also this saying “only a fool talks in absolute”.

Tgey use: I think, many times, often times, usually, it’s possible, it could be IF …

So it appears they talk as if “I can be wrong” or “based on what we know”.

If you compare sentences so known unintelligent people they lack these conditions and voices absolutes only.

#13

They pause to think about a novel question instead of instantly blurting out an answer. Sometimes people think it means they’ve been “stumped” and claim victory. No, they’re thinking, analyzing, and formulating a reply.

Image source: BubbhaJebus

#14

Image source: DentrassiEpicure, freestocks.org/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They’re storytellers. They craft narratives for themselves and for others that are compelling, that make the world make sense, that invigorate and install a goal, a mission.

#15

Image source: saltyhashbrowns, Mikhail Nilov/Pexels (not the actual photo)

How often they are confident in saying “I don’t know”.

#16

Image source: frygod, Mikhail Nilov/Pexels (not the actual photo)

When being taught to do something new, they care just as much, if not more, about why it should be done a certain way as they do about what needs to be done.

#17

Image source: SylasDevale, Edmond Dantès/Pexels (not the actual photo)

I consider someone intelligent if they’re able to explain something incredibly complicated in simpler and more readily understood terms.

#18

Image source: Timeformayo, Pixabay/Pexels (not the actual phtoto)

They mispronounce less common words.

It means they probably haven’t heard those words spoken much, and they learned the words by reading. They’re curious and self-educated.

#19

Image source: Sunflowerr-Belle, Brett Sayles/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Choosing not to argue with someone who’s wrong and choosing their own peace of mind over being right.

#20

Image source: leanotlea, Darina Belonogova/Pexels (not the actual photo)

They ask really good questions and listen more than they talk.

#21

Image source: yamreport30, RDNE Stock project/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Understanding/appreciating nuance.

#22

Image source: helplessdelta, Jean-Daniel Francoeur/Pexels (not the actual photo)

Dry humor. Pulling it off requires an observant, quick wit with a nonchalant delivery that almost downplays its own cleverness.

Like it means their immediate passing thoughts are often profound enough to be very funny without any real effort.

#23

Image source: MuskokaGreenThumb, Maria Naichenko/Pexels (not the actual photo)

When someone can admit a mistake and they know they don’t know everything.

#24

Curiosity.

Image source: Dudemcdudey

#25

Image source: BlueDazing_, nappy/Pexels (not the actual photo)

When they take the time to filter through any possible misunderstandings in an argument by asking questions to help them better understand the idea that’s being presented, instead of immediately assuming their first interpretation of the argument is the correct one.

Something that’s always bugged me is when my argument gets misunderstood, and then attacked from angles where supposed “errors” exist, when those errors rose out of the listeners own misinterpretation.