Intelligence and the challenges of intelligence

The excitement and thrill of knowing something that others do not may be pleasant at first, but it comes with its own set of challenges. This enthusiasm stems from a deep intelligence that doesn’t always yield positive outcomes. Although intelligent people may be envied by others, they often face many obstacles and challenges in life that ordinary individuals are spared from.
Intelligence is a multidimensional concept and, from different perspectives, involves various factors and viewpoints. This makes defining intelligence difficult. However, if we measure intelligence based on IQ scores that a person receives in standardized tests, we can then identify certain characteristics and classifications for these individuals.

Characteristics and Challenges of Intelligent People

The general public may imagine an intelligent person as someone who is always alert in the classroom and ready to answer the teacher’s questions. But in reality, this is not always the case. Contrary to common belief, intelligent individuals often grapple with specific challenges and difficulties, some of which we aim to explore in this article.

• An intelligent person views issues from multiple perspectives and analyzes them broadly. This tendency stems from their desire to better understand the world and its phenomena. One of the questions that often preoccupies intelligent minds is: Why is the order of worldly conditions, the structure of the world, and the sequence of events the way it is? Why isn’t it some other way?
• Intelligent people have high IQ scores, which often leads to significant academic and scientific achievements. They usually take on leadership roles and are pioneers in certain areas.
• Intelligent individuals become weary of aimless conversations. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” Therefore, intelligent people are not drawn to trivial or superficial matters. For example, they are not particularly interested in discussing a football match between two teams or someone’s wedding ceremony; instead, they prefer conversations about topics like art, science, literature, industry, and other areas rich in creativity and ideas.
• The intellectual trajectory of such individuals revolves around abstract, deep, and challenging topics. They tend to think more about abstract matters.
• Intelligent people are deliberate in their word choice and do not use just any expression. They often avoid referring to others in singular form and tend to use plural verbs, reflecting a broader and more inclusive mindset.
• These individuals think more than they speak, which makes them appear cautious. They speak only when necessary or appropriate, and for this reason, what they say is often logical and well thought-out.

• They tend to have longer periods of silence compared to others because they are constantly analyzing their thoughts and ideas. As a result, they may appear cold, dry, or unsociable from the outside.
• In social situations, they may seem awkward or clumsy. According to research by Mr. Davidson, as IQ increases, EQ (Emotional Intelligence) often decreases. This happens because IQ and EQ cannot both operate at peak levels simultaneously. Therefore, if someone with a high IQ has only average EQ, they may come across as socially inept or disconnected.
• Intelligent individuals are more focused on generating ideas than engaging in practical work. In other words, they prefer to offer insights and opinions rather than getting involved in physical tasks or confrontations.
• They often struggle to make friends because most people feel intimidated or inferior in the presence of high intelligence. Many assume that being friends with an intelligent person is difficult and exhausting, which often leads to intelligent individuals feeling lonely and isolated.
• Intelligent people are not usually fond of outings or parties and prefer staying at home. They find crowds bothersome and feel uncomfortable in social settings.
• At times, these individuals experience a decline in self-confidence and self-belief, due to conflicts between their internal thoughts and external realities. When these conflicts go unresolved, it can weaken their confidence.
• They are analytical and don’t overlook even simple matters. In fact, due to their excessive analysis of issues, they often drain themselves mentally and lack energy for other tasks.
• Their minds are always thirsty for exercise and challenge. For them, mental engagement is not just a source of joy, but a necessity. They are constantly training their mental muscles by solving puzzles and tackling problems. Because of this, routine or mundane activities tend to exhaust or bore them.

These individuals constantly feel an added psychological pressure to succeed—partly due to their own expectations, and partly due to the expectations others place on them. Simple phrases like “I’m sure you’ll get a perfect score on the exam, just like always,” or “You’ll definitely pass the job interview!” can lead them to believe they hold a special status in the eyes of others, one they must maintain at all costs. This results in a growing sense of inadequacy and incompleteness, pushing them toward perfectionism and an intense fear of failure.
At times, intelligent individuals are narrowly defined by their IQ scores, which can trap them in rigid frameworks and stifle their creativity. Moreover, being labeled as unsocial, isolated, cold, or distant can gradually lead them toward depression, self-rejection, and a decline in self-confidence. Therefore, every intelligent person must take it upon themselves to redefine who they are and not allow others to do it for them—so they can protect themselves from harm.