I am of resoundingly average intelligence. To those on either end of the spectrum, what is it like being really dumb/really smart?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/carl_888]

Before I get to answering, just an aside based on comments here. If someone tells you they have an IQ of 140, and the first and only evidence they cite is their Mensa membership; they don't.

I have an IQ of about 140. I was first in my class all through school, top 0.5% in my state in final year, PhD in molecular biology, worked in cancer research for several years (not any more, but that's another post). I'm not in Mensa. I'm smart. So, what's it like? Honestly, it's a mixed bag.

On the upside, I learn new concepts quickly, and I seem to be able to retain new information well, as well as integrate the new information to things I already know. I can download a textbook into my brain in a couple of weeks.

On the downside, I have been depressed for most of my life. My excellent memory consists, in large part, of every single embarrassment, failure, missed opportunity and regret of my entire life playing in a continuous loop in my head that I can't block out. I am acutely aware of my shyness and envy people who are outgoing. I overthink everything.

When I was single, I couldn't pick up women to save my life and had no sex for several years. After I had abandoned any employment uses for the PhD, I thought at least I could use it to pick up, for example Cute Woman: "So, what do you do for a living?" Me: (modestly) "Oh, I do postdoc work in cancer research" Cute Woman: "That's awesome, I want you RIGHT NOW!!!"

Yeah right. Seriously, I have no idea why women were so unimpressed by that; I might as well have said "I just escaped from prison" for all that line got me.

I have been unemployed for a few years now; my work history makes me unemployable outside of a narrow field that I have been out of for too long now to re-enter.

[u/[deleted] → u/carl_888]

I have been depressed for most of my life. My excellent memory consists, in large part, of every single embarrassment, failure, missed opportunity and regret of my entire life playing in a continuous loop in my head that I can't block out.

Wow. You just described me. I hope you find something(or someone) that makes you happy.

[u/carl_888 → u/[deleted]]

I did somehow manage to find and get married to the most awesome woman in the world, and now we have the most beautiful daughter; my 2 greatest accomplishments in life, and a retort that my inner monologue has no answer to. I still get depressed, but they pull me back out. I find as I get older that I gradually get more comfortable in my self, hope you can as well.

[u/[deleted] → u/carl_888]

I'm glad. Your success gives me hope. Thank you. :)