Intelligence: The Danger Zone
What is the danger zone when it comes to intelligence and what does it mean, and how can being more intelligent than the average be dangerous?
This is something that I have covered before in a more indirect way in other posts. However, I was inspired to write this after having my view validated and reinforced after watching a Chris Langan discussion. For anyone who doesn’t know, Chris Langan has one of the highest ever recorded IQs. His IQ is estimated to be between 190 and 210.
The Intelligence Danger Zone
The danger zone often applies to people who have a greater than average intelligence. However, they are still not as intelligent as they think they are. The danger stems from their intellectual arrogance.
This would apply to many politicians and people who have power. This is where the danger is amplified. The potential damage that these people can do in positions of power is great.
Contrast in Intelligence & Rarity
The higher you go up in intelligence or IQ points, the fewer people you will find. Genius level intelligence, which is roughly considered to be around an IQ of 145 and above. With some very rare individuals reaching around the 200 mark range in IQ. There will only be a handful of people living at any one time with an IQ of around 200. They will literally be a one in a billion individual.
However, people with a higher than average IQ such as 120 – 130 will be much more common. These are the people that will likely end up becoming, or potentially be, solicitors, doctors, professors, and politicians. They are smart, but not nearly smart enough, and fairly dumb in contrast to the rare geniuses of the world.
Because true geniuses are rare, the above average intelligence people don’t often encounter them. So, they don’t get their opinions challenged. Because they are smarter than the majority, and because those who are smarter than them are rare, it gives them a false sense of confidence. They over-estimate their intelligence and ability.
Conformity, Validation, & Ego
When you add that most people seek to conform, seek validation from the majority, it adds a new dimension that distorts a person’s perception of themselves. This is all tied in with a person’s ego and personal identity.
Final Comments
This is basically intellectual arrogance. This relates to the Dunning-Kruger Effect. It’s dangerous because these people end up in positions of power and authority where they can do damage.
