Curse of the High IQ

1. High IQ: A Statistical Anomaly with Unique Challenges

Statistically speaking, we’re freaks.

Statistical outliers. Individuals with high IQs are statistical anomalies, existing far outside the average range of intelligence. This rarity creates inherent inefficiencies and inconveniences when interacting with a society designed for the majority.

• The bell curve distribution of IQ scores shows that as you move further from the average (100), the population decreases exponentially.
• Those with IQs of 130+ are in the top 2% of society, making them statistical freaks.
• This statistical rarity leads to a lack of "economies of scale" in many aspects of life.

Misdiagnosis of problems. Because society views intelligence as a positive trait, problems stemming from high IQ are often misattributed to other causes. This misdiagnosis prevents effective solutions and leads to feelings of hopelessness and frustration.

• The world is not designed for "special" people, but for the majority.
• This can lead to problems in social, political, economic, romantic, educational, commercial, and psychological infrastructure.
• The world is designed for people with IQs around 100, creating hurdles for those with higher IQs.

Acknowledging the challenges. Recognizing the inherent problems associated with high IQ is the first step toward finding solutions. This involves understanding that these problems are not unique but shared among those with similar intelligence.

• Problems include depression, alcoholism, ennui, indifference, loneliness, and boredom.
• These issues are caused by abnormally high intelligence, which unintentionally ostracizes individuals from the rest of society.
• The key is to acknowledge these problems and identify their root causes.

2. The "Idiocracy" Effect: Navigating a World Designed for the Average

For when you compare his normal IQ of 95 to my IQ of 138 the relative experience I endured was that of a normal person dealing with a severely mentally retarded individual.

Relative retardation. The experience of interacting with average-intelligence individuals can feel like dealing with someone mentally impaired due to the significant IQ gap. This is not an insult, but a reflection of the relative difference in cognitive abilities.

• A 40-point IQ difference can feel like a normal person interacting with someone with an IQ of 60.
• This can lead to frustration, anger, and hopelessness for those with high IQs.
• The focus is often on absolute intelligence rather than relative intelligence.

Culture and entertainment. The popularity of mindless entertainment like reality TV and sports highlights the average intelligence of the general population. This can be a source of frustration for those with high IQs who crave intellectual stimulation.

• The American public is more concerned with celebrity gossip than important issues.
• Sports, while enjoyable, often become an obsession that consumes vast amounts of time and resources.
• This lack of intellectual engagement can be a source of pain and agony for high IQ individuals.

Envy and democracy. Envy is a natural human emotion, but it can lead to negative consequences for those with high IQs. In a democracy, this envy often manifests as wealth transfers and policies that penalize success.

• Smart people often face petty jealousy and envy in social, educational, and professional settings.
• This can lead to backstabbing, sabotage, and other hindrances to their progress.
• The majority of taxes are often used to bail out less intelligent people from their mistakes.

3. Education: A System That Often Fails the Gifted

The education system is NOT for the children.

Flawed system. The current education system is not designed for the benefit of children but rather for teachers, administrators, unions, and parents. It is an outdated Prussian model that prioritizes obedience and compliance over individuality and excellence.

• The system is designed to produce good workers, not good thinkers, innovators, or inventors.
• It has not fundamentally changed in 160 years, despite significant societal changes.
• The focus is on conformity, compliance, and obedience rather than independent thought and creativity.

Hypocritical teachers. Many teachers lack real-world experience and passion for their subjects, resulting in a lack of engagement and motivation for students. They often mask their desire for an easy job with the "noble cause" of educating children.

• Teachers are often lazy adult children who fear math, rigor, and hard work.
• They lack the passion to make their subjects interesting and often become bitter and indifferent.
• The system is bloated with non-teaching staff, further diluting the focus on education.

Mental torture. The education system is a literal prison for all children, but it is particularly torturous for those with high IQs. They are often bored, frustrated, and misdiagnosed as problem students.

• Teachers are often intellectually inferior to their high IQ students.
• The lack of passion and practicality in teaching leads to students falling asleep in class.
• Problem students and special education programs further hinder the education of brilliant children.

4. Career Paths: Finding Purpose Beyond the Ordinary

To be blunt, today’s American employers know they have you by the balls.

Employer power. In today's job market, employers hold significant power over employees, especially those with student loans and other financial obligations. This can lead to exploitation and a lack of fulfillment.

• Employers often prioritize "soft skills" over real skills and intelligence.
• They often engage in psychological games and demand unpaid overtime.
• The labor market is flooded with college-educated job applicants, giving employers more power.

Incompetent bosses. Many bosses are promoted to their level of incompetence, creating a frustrating and limiting work environment for those with high IQs. They often prioritize compliance over performance and are threatened by intelligent subordinates.

• The Peter Principle states that people are promoted to their level of incompetence.
• Average bosses often lack leadership skills and rely on ineffective management tactics.
• They may be intimidated by intelligent employees and sabotage their careers.

Sadistic bosses. Some bosses are not only incompetent but also sadistic, enjoying the power they have over their employees. They may engage in manipulation, deceit, and outright immoral behavior.

• Sadistic bosses are often insecure and threatened by intelligent employees.
• They may actively sabotage their work and create a hostile work environment.
• No job is worth the abuse, and it's important to recognize and avoid such situations.

5. Social Life: The Struggle for Meaningful Connections

The simple truth is that the environment that has been producing the abundance of raw materials that has made your social life…ends.

Attrition of friendships. The artificial social environment of school and college ends, leading to a gradual attrition of friendships. This is due to factors like career changes, relationships, and children.

• Leaving school marks the first stage of attrition, as friends move away and pursue different paths.
• Relationships and marriage further reduce social circles as friends prioritize their partners.
• Children are the most devastating stage of attrition, as friends prioritize their families over social lives.

Ostracization and age. As high IQ individuals pursue more adventurous and intellectually stimulating lives, they often become further removed from their old social circles. Age and lack of energy also contribute to the decline of social connections.

• The pursuit of adventure and exploration can further isolate high IQ individuals.
• Age and lack of energy can make it difficult to maintain old friendships.
• The social life that was once considered "normal" becomes unsustainable.

The hunt for new connections. Rebuilding a social life as an adult is challenging, especially for those with high IQs. The statistical rarity of equally intelligent peers makes it difficult to find meaningful connections.

• Traditional social groups and activities often fail to provide intellectual stimulation.
• Even in large metro areas, it's difficult to find a critical mass of like-minded individuals.
• The internet and social media offer a solution by connecting people across the globe.

6. Dating and Marriage: Navigating Love with a High IQ

The hotter a girl is the more she is shielded from the realities of life because men want to have sex with her and women want to be her.

Dating for men. Abnormally intelligent men face the challenge of finding equally intelligent women, often falling prey to the "Hot Crazy Matrix." This leads to relationships with emotionally unstable women who are often more interested in resources than genuine connection.

• Men often prioritize beauty over intelligence, leading to painful and unfulfilling relationships.
• The "Hot Crazy Matrix" highlights the correlation between attractiveness and instability.
• Men often have to learn through experience to prioritize intelligence and sanity over beauty.

Dating for women. Abnormally intelligent women face the challenge of navigating traditional gender roles and finding men who are both intelligent and masculine. They often encounter men who are intimidated by their intelligence or who try to compete with them.

• Women often desire men to take the lead, which can be difficult when they are more intelligent.
• They may encounter men who are emasculated or who lack the intellectual capacity to engage them.
• The blurring of gender roles has led to a shortage of masculine men, further complicating dating.

Marriage and credentialism. Progressive credentialism and the pursuit of advanced degrees often delay marriage and family formation for high IQ individuals. This can lead to a mismatch in the marriage market and a reduced chance of having children.

• The pursuit of advanced degrees often delays marriage and family formation.
• The imbalance in the distribution of intelligence between men and women creates challenges in the marriage market.
• Progressive credentialism can lead to a situation where intelligent people are too old to have children.

7. The Psychological Toll: Boredom, Misanthropy, and the Search for Meaning

I drink because I’m bored.

Mental illness and IQ. While there is no conclusive proof of a direct link between high IQ and mental illness, many high IQ individuals experience depression, boredom, and other psychological issues. This may be due to a lack of purpose and agency in their lives.

• There is limited research on the relationship between IQ and mental illness.
• Anecdotal evidence suggests that high IQ individuals often suffer from mental health issues.
• The lack of problems to solve can lead to a sense of worthlessness and ennui.

Drugs and alcohol. High IQ individuals often turn to drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with boredom and a lack of intellectual stimulation. These substances provide a temporary escape from the mundane realities of life.

• Alcohol consumption is positively correlated with intelligence.
• Drugs and alcohol are often used to numb the mind and escape from boredom.
• Sublimation, or channeling energy into productive activities, is a healthier but still temporary solution.

Misanthropy and nihilism. The constant obstruction and limitations imposed by society can lead to misanthropy, a hatred of humanity. This can be further exacerbated by the realization that life is finite and may have no inherent meaning, leading to nihilism.

• Society often hinders the pursuit of greatness, leading to resentment and misanthropy.
• The realization of mortality and the lack of an afterlife can lead to nihilistic thoughts.
• The choice between pursuing greatness and a life of hedonism becomes a central question.

8. The Pursuit of Greatness: Overcoming Obstacles and Defining Your Legacy

We aint’ goin’ out like that.

The desire for greatness. Abnormally intelligent people often have a strong desire to achieve greatness and leave a lasting legacy. They are not content with ordinary lives and seek to make a meaningful contribution to the world.

• High IQ individuals are driven to achieve something beyond the ordinary.
• They seek to define their existence and make a lasting impact on the world.
• This desire for greatness is often a driving force in their lives.

Obstacles to greatness. Society often presents numerous obstacles to the pursuit of greatness, both consciously and unconsciously. These obstacles can range from incompetent bosses to jealous peers and a system that favors mediocrity.

• The infrastructure of society often operates at a slower pace than high IQ individuals.
• People often consciously or unconsciously try to hinder the progress of those who are better than them.
• The education system, family, friends, and bosses can all be obstacles to achieving greatness.

The choice. The pursuit of greatness is often met with resistance and thanklessness, forcing high IQ individuals to choose between a life of purpose and a life of hedonism. The decision often depends on their belief in an afterlife and their ability to overcome the obstacles in their path.

• The pursuit of greatness is often met with resistance and thanklessness.
• High IQ individuals must choose between a life of purpose and a life of hedonism.
• The decision often depends on their belief in an afterlife and their ability to overcome obstacles.

Last updated: January 18, 2025