There’s a book out there. It was written by a disgruntled accountant named Aaron Clarey, and it’s called “The Curse of The High IQ”. I didn’t really have the pleasure of reading it, but I know it’s a pretty solid read, because Aaron Clarey is quite famous. He has hundreds of thousands of YouTube followers and makes a great living talking about societal issues in a “smart doomer” kind of way. In his YouTube videos, Clarey basically teaches men how to cope with living in a declining America. He pushes for minimal participation. He suggests that men take up activities like skilled trades in order to get ahead of the general populous financially. If there’s a white-collar job that you want, figure out how to get it without a degree. Don’t get married, don’t have children. Typical doomer stuff.
I personally don’t want to be like Aaron Clarey. Sure, he’s smart. He’s probably also a millionaire, and he seems to understand enough about picking up and meeting women that nobody can call him a total dweeb. That being said, Aaron Clarey is lame in my opinion. Perhaps it’s for the sake of entertaining his audience, but he seems so angry and bitter for someone so intelligent. Intelligence, as far as I’m concerned, centers around being able to get what you want out of life. If you get what you want in life, you aren’t bitching online. So here’s what you do about all the dumbasses around you, if you’re smart.
Realize that being dumb isn’t illegal (or inherently immoral)
Being dumb isn’t illegal at all. There’s no reason to hate on people just because they aren’t as intelligent as you are. Are they doing anything wrong? If so, is what they’re doing morally wrong, or just not your preference? Don’t hate on people who aren’t doing anything wrong. It’s unfair, and you’re going to give yourself an ulcer.
Realize that most smart people aren’t that nice
In my experience, smart people can be awful. This is because smart people struggle to empathize with the average person. They create environments that are stifling and judgmental. Even though they employ more forethought than the average person, hanging out with people who are too smart can be a massive drag because of how they look down on and gossip about each other. You might be judging the “stupid” people around you, but intelligent members of society aren’t necessarily going to be much better. The main difference is that smart people will be more ideological and capable of hurting you.
Smart people are often too ideological
I’ve been at a lot of dinner tables with people who are older, smarter, and wealthier than the norm. These people’s favorite thing to do is discuss ideas. It might sound trite if you’re a middle-class person reading this, but it’s true. Smart people like to push their worldviews. This can be really dangerous if they’re convinced, they have the moral high ground.
Realize that if you’re at all smart, most people are going to be “dumb”
If you are in the top 30% when it comes to intelligence, that means you’re smarter than 70% of people. 7 out of 10 people that walk past you are going to be dumber than you. And 30% of the population is in your position. We can all look down on each other if we want to, or we can enjoy life.
Realize that you might not be as smart as you think you are.
Even if you’re in the top 5% of individuals in terms of intelligence, there are a lot of situations in which you probably aren’t the smartest person in the room. If you’re in a supermarket with 200-300 people, there are probably a couple people in that supermarket who make you look dumb. Everything is relative, and comparison is the thief of joy.
“Hating” stupid people is a totally normal part of life. Being around idiots can be especially frustrating when you’re working hard and trying to be the best person you can be. But it’s important not to let your judgement get clouded by your own self-perception. It can be extremely difficult not to get lost in the sauce, if you’re the type of person who notices other people’s flaws. Don’t. Focusing too much on that stuff will make you sad and miserable. I would avoid taking on a such a predisposition at all costs.
