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24 comments

[–] mindtrip 1 points (+1|-0)

Strange way to judge someone. Intelligence is rarely a mark of whether I like someone, perhaps a bare minimum being able to converse with them is required. I know some very intelligent people (science & medicine) and some perhaps what you would consider less educated or smart (labourers). But I like them all on their openness to discussion, to learning, and to teaching me about something I don't know on topics they are passionate about. Closed minded people I tend to dislike and those whom seem too eager to please.

From my experience though, the more intelligent the more likely they're on the spectrum and struggle with social situations even though they may be very book smart. Often not "street wise" for lack of a better term. Sometimes a tinge of sociopath behaviour / struggle with empathy. I would say many of my friends are more book smart than I (one has titles longer than his name), some are not academic at all, but all have a passion about something and on those topics I find it pleasant to talk to them about. In fact that's the best advice I have for finding a way to like someone, find what their passion is and ask them about it, it helps them open up.

I'd like to think I have a happy medium of intelligent enough to pursue my interests yet social enough to be extroverted and enjoy social interactions. I often pity my more intellectual friends even though I respect the hell out of their achievements. Having to come at social situations like an intellectual problem to fit in rather than it just being natural and enjoying oneself must be tiring and depressing sometimes. But they are all good friends and I love them dearly. Some have remarkable brain power and the discipline to use it. I envy their neuroplasticity some days.

Yet I'd still rather be me at the end of the day.

Thanks for the reply. And damn what a sexy word : neuroplasticity!

[–] mindtrip 1 points (+1|-0)

I probably over use the term due to related personal health issues and an interest in the field for selfish reasons.