30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They’re Pretending To Be

If you hear someone using big words and complicated concepts that make them sound smart, the chances are you will think of them highly. And while it’s indeed true that there are quite a few intellectual people in your social circle, the opposite is true as well.

You see, many people don’t quite have a sensitive radar when determining if a person is actually a pseudo-intellectual. Described by Merriam Webster dictionary, a pseudo-intellectual is “a person who wants to be thought of as having a lot of intelligence and knowledge but who is not really intelligent or knowledgeable.” That means they can be very, very annoying.

So when someone asked “What's a sign someone is a pseudo-intellectual?” on Ask Reddit, it resonated with people big time. Below we wrapped up some of the most interesting and illuminating answers, so scroll down!

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They say "educate yourself" but don't know the difference between blind peer reviewed studies and YouTube nonsense.

anon Report

Final score:

210points

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JoyfulZebra 2 years ago

What is going on with that dude's shirt?

82points

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They hyper-focus on a single source of wisdom or completely ignore their opponent's perspective.

Actual intellectuals read broadly, and the best intellectuals read things they disagree with.

Edit: Talking about "read things they disagree with"... There is a difference between reading the influential works of opposing movements and browsing social media cesspools. I am disappointed that I have to clutter this post by clarifying.

Jeutnarg , Keira Burton Report

Final score:

196points

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Sasha 2 years ago

Its actually fantastic when you find an opinion or point of view that is contrary to what you know/believe and it looks like it actually may be right. Thats new knowledge. Something that just agrees with what you already know is generally of no use. I kinda have an attitude of "prove me wrong" not as in, youre not gonna change my mind, but as in, please try to poke holes in my theory, it can either help find weak spots in it or, allow me to get rid of something i erroneously though correct.

67points

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be For me, it's seeing people who can't shift their beliefs/biases based on evidence

meandering_simpleton , Keira Burton Report

Final score:

186points

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loty moty 2 years ago

This should be higher. #1 rule of any intelligent person is ability to change your opinions given evidence to the contrary.

56points

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According to Alex Wang, the marketing expert and book author who is better known as the “Hijack” Copywriter, a pseudo-intellectual is someone who pretends they are highly intelligent and knowledgeable but who isn’t. “They’re good at faking it and convincing others they’re this amazing smart person when they don’t have the knowledge or skills to back it up,” he added.

Wong who has been on a mission to help small and corporate businesses “hijack” their client’s minds and help them to grow their businesses and sales, shared a couple of insights into pseudo-intellectualism.

They like to "debate" but shut down and get angry the second they get an unexpected question or have to think about their answer.

verysleepymama , Timur Weber Report

Final score:

170points

POST

loty moty 2 years ago

I think it's a good thing if you stop to think about your answer when somebody asks you an unexpected question.

37points

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They can't say they don't know something. When pressed, they will deflect or fake their way through it. Somebody actually knowledgeable (no matter in what area) will also know the limits of their knowledge, and have the confidence to identify it when they reach it.

chton , Karolina Grabowska Report

Final score:

156points

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Laura Ketteridge 2 years ago

It's really important to let children know that it's normal, and okay not to know everything. When my children were little, and they asked a question I didn't know the answer to, we'd pause and think about how we could find out. It might be asking someone, reading a book, searching on the web etc. Then we'd talk about what we had learned.

52points

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be Really intelligent people are very secure in their intelligence but fakers will most likely be trying to put others down to seem smarter.

prettiergenghis , Budgeron Bach Report

Final score:

142points

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Sasha 2 years ago

Actually really intelligent people sorta know that theyre still dumb. They tend to doubt themselves a lot more because they know that they could be wrong and have a generally critical and questioning attitude

139points

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When asked why some people pretend like they are better than others and know more than they actually do, Wong said that they may be doing this to make themselves feel better and that they have an advantage over others in some way. “As humans, we are always judging ourselves and comparing ourselves to others.”

“By thinking that we are smarter or better than others, we feel more important. It gives us a sense of importance. When someone overestimates their skills and abilities, this is known as illusory superiority,” the marketing expert explained.

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be When they tell you their IQ. And it's always suspiciously high.

TrashPandaAntics , Liza Summer Report

Final score:

141points

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Crease Almighty 2 years ago

I took an IQ test when I was high once and it was 114. I was proud. I took another one sober and it was 110… 😂😂😂

62points

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They repeat what you already said, in a slightly different way, and act as if they're adding to the discussion.

They defensively tell people to "read a book" instead of answering a question.

Kancer420 , Mikhail Nilov Report

Final score:

110points

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Sasha 2 years ago

Hahaha lol ive had this told to me recently. The funniest part was, we were discussing video game related tech stuff and it was actually "you should play less video games and read instead" but the thing is, my health is c**p, im often too tired even to play and i pretty much spend my entire day reading in bed. It was so funny i didn't even bother getting annoyed at the dumb remark.

14points

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They talk constantly and say nothing.

Bhanghai , Monstera Report

Final score:

106points

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Stephanie Did It 2 years ago

To some people, the sweetest sound is that of their own voice.

32points

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Wong believes that the biggest difference between an intellectual and a pseudo-intellectual is that the former actually knows their stuff. “They’ve spent years building their craft and attaining their specific set of skills and knowledge.”

#10

Citing "countless examples";

Can't name one of them.

Marklar172 Report

Final score:

106points

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James Edwards 2 years ago

Then show me!

11points

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#11

an intellectual entertains his opponent's views without accepting them, he puts himself in the other's shoes, and from there he figures out where it doesn't make sense, the fake intellectual doesn't seem to have that flexibility of thought.

GuestRevolutionary38 Report

Final score:

104points

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SirWriteALot 2 years ago

This! Sometimes it totally defuses a situation or argument if you're able to identify where the anger is coming from. Then you can address that. And sometimes through understanding you can actually relate to their point of view. If you're talking to a dumbass, though, they will claim victory and go on being dumbasses.

17points

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#12

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be Using a Ben Shapiro style structure to arguing a point

* Speak fast
* Construct straw men as fast as they get taken down
* Win through endurance over intellect
* Deflect, obfuscate, infuriate - Just get the other person to stop debating

escape1979uk , Gage Skidmore Report

Final score:

88points

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InvincibleRodent 2 years ago

Basically, filibuster a conversation until the "opponent" gets tired and gives up.

38points

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“In today’s society, knowledge is power. However, attaining this knowledge to become an expert at something takes lots of work, effort, and time. It takes approximately 10,000 hours to become a true expert at something,” Wong argues. Wong concluded that “Most people just aren’t willing to make the sacrifice to reach that level so it’s easier to just pretend instead.”

#13

Intelligent people don't have to tell you they are. They probably don't even think they are. There's a reason that "all I know is I know nothing" is such a big quote in studying philosophy.

ClockwerkHart Report

Final score:

84points

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loty moty 2 years ago

I'm pretty sure intelligent people know that they are intelligent but part of being intelligent is understanding that other people are intelligent too and also understanding the limits of your own intelligence.

25points

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#14

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They refuse to explain something in an easier/more understandable way when asked

ctortan , SHVETS production Report

Final score:

78points

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Kevin Garren 2 years ago

Not totally fair, I can show people how to do stuff but if they ask me to explain it I just shut down inside lol Not everybody has excellent verbal skills or does well with people. Unless the kind of person this is about just WON'T do anything to be a jerk.

39points

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#15

Showing off about knowledge. As we say in French:

"Culture is like marmalade, the less you have the more you spread it"

justwannadiscuss Report

Final score:

76points

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Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)

And the thinner it spreads—-but the b******t that comes with it is so much thicker and deeper.

8points

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#16

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They debate and don't let anyone else speak, and when someone does try to speak, the other person just talks louder and faster.

https://www.reddit.com/user/usedxtampon/ , Alex Green Report

Final score:

72points

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Crease Almighty 2 years ago

Listening is a sign of intelligence.

45points

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#17

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be Being a contrarian. Automatically disagreeing with everything you hear isn’t any smarter than than believing everything.

boooooooooo_cowboys , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

Final score:

70points

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Jo Hunt 2 years ago

"No it isn't":-.....(Youtube search Monty python argument clinic)

42points

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#18

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be Pseudo-intellectuals **love** to drop names of famous experts in the field, and will often do that in lieu of a real explanation when challenged to explain themselves.

For example, "If you're not familiar with the research of Lawrence and Krasden in this field, then it's not worth my time to educate you".

In general, pseudo-intellectuals don't like explaining concepts, because they're afraid that they'll explain the concept incorrectly and get shown up by somebody else. So they use all sorts of tactics to establish dominance, try to belittle you, and avoid giving a clearly worded explanation of their argument.

Bizarre_Protuberance , ANTONI SHKRABA Report

Final score:

61points

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Rachknits 2 years ago

Whereas many people who do understand the issue are usually more than happy to take the chance to share their knowledge.

16points

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#19

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They absolutely cannot fess up to their own mistakes.

Sorvick , Ketut Subiyanto Report

Final score:

60points

POST

Stephanie Did It 2 years ago

No, you misunderstood what I was trying not to say because you don't know what you're talking about. You always do that.

11points

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#20

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They're unwilling to provide sources/read your sources. They put more emphasis on how you said something, than the facts.

Impossible-Pause3788 , ANTONI SHKRABA Report

Final score:

57points

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Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago

Because they can’t back it up with verifiable and scholarly sources. Because what they’re saying—-or rather, parroting without thinking or understanding—-is merely belief, hearsay, or the repeated opinion of some loud bloviating imbecile that confirms their own bias.

10points

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#21

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They have "free thinker" on their bios.

HazyTouch , Gustavo Fring Report

Final score:

57points

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Fembot 2 years ago

And use the word sheeple 🙄

41points

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#22

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They parrot talking points without being able to discuss or understand the details of their arguments. Seen it all across the political spectrum. If all you are able to communicate are Twitter-length bullet points, then there is something wrong. I’ve tried to talk with people who are like a NPC in a video game, all they can do is repeat the same 3 generic statements on a topic.

Similar to above the other sign is that their opinions are 100% exactly the same as either some person, movement, or religion. No nuance, no “shades of grey”, not even a slight disagreement on a particular point or two. Basically you have turned off your brain and someone else is thinking for you.

Warthog__ , Yan Krukov Report

Final score:

55points

POST

SCP 4666 2 years ago

No shades of grey.. only a Sith deals in absolutes

14points

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#23

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They also talk endlessly, using word salad. True experts are direct and to the point. They summarize initially and then can dive into details as needed.

SnooCats5701 , Yan Krukov Report

Final score:

53points

POST

Sasha 2 years ago

Or theyre just bad at communicating. You can be an expert but absolute garbage at explaining honestly. Richard Feynman was a genius man in general but in a way, his even more amazing ability was to explain things, basically to anyone. Its actually something most people are c**p at period. Teaching is hard.

33points

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#24

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be In internet debates, the trend in the past few years was just to just say, 'I'm not reading all that' when they encounter an argument they can't counter.

Anianna , Mizuno K Report

Final score:

45points

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Ryan-James O'Driscoll 2 years ago

Depends on the context. If it's a long rambling essay that could have been a few sentences, I think tl;dr applies.

12points

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#25

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be They don't validate the experiences of others, which are often backed by science or data, if they haven't been through it themselves.

anon , SHVETS production Report

Final score:

45points

POST

Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)

You don’t always have to directly experience something to understand it. The best minds are able to think beyond what is physically experienceable (if that’s a word) to them or anyone else (at least at present).

11points

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#26

They rarely have an original thought or original contribution to discussions. Mostly regurgitating someone else's idea or view. Pop-intellectualism like Joe Rogan.

MacaronMelodic Report

Final score:

39points

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James Steinmetz 2 years ago

Tai ta patį gali pasakyt ir apie save bei mane śiaip jau Orginalios idejos retas dalykas gražute

9points

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#27

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be If they listen to the usual Incel Mentors: Ben Shapiro, Jordan Peterson, or any other online troll that sees differing opinions as a debate challenge and an affront to society.

RevaniteN7 , Gage Skidmore Report

Final score:

37points

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Metanoia 2 years ago

This point was prolly written by some dork who hates these two people.

12points

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#28

If the only way they can explain complex or “high brow” topics (especially if they call them high brow) is using big words and not being able to use simple and concise language to make it understandable to the person they’re explaining to.
Also having to put down anything they see as “lesser” than them and their interests. I always think of Hawking talking about teenage girls who love one direction and speaking with as much fondness as his assisted communication device could portray.

high_on_acrylic Report

Final score:

36points

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LoudMansLover 2 years ago

TIL Stephen Hawking was *more* awesome than I knew.

13points

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#29

30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They're Pretending To Be Making a series of discussion-worthy points about a topic. When responded to, selects one of three responses for an "auto victory" in their eyes:

1) (RARE) They see that of 6 points they raised, you only directly addressed 5, they declare you couldn't handle that extra point (even if it rested on the other 5 points being all perfectly true) and therefor they win the conversation. [This is rare because it requires them to read longer than the few words it takes to realize you disagree.]

2) (Average) They repeat what they said the first time and claim you didn't address any of their points because there is no response to them, they are objectively correct.

3) (Frequent) "Post too long bro. Not gonna read it. Clearly I'm right if you can't refute what I said in only a few words."

Mazon_Del , Armin Rimoldi Report

Final score:

31points

POST

Crease Almighty 2 years ago

Lol number 3… is the keyboard warrior’s first code of conduct.

10points

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#30

Going out of their way to not use contractions when they talk. Also identifying as "sapiosexual." I also find that pseudo-intellectuals will write messages that read more like a college essay than a casual conversation. I can see you read books, you don't have to talk to me like you're a 19th century novelist.

EianSiCK Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Enuya 2 years ago

I disagree with the part about conversations. Some people prefer using more formal style because it's easier for them to word their thoughts that way. Some didn't have enough exposure to informal style to be able to use it. It's a matter of preferenses, not intelligence or lack of it.

21points

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Note: this post originally had 53 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.

What do you think ?

Lord pretzell 2 years ago

One time I was arguing with a man about women being funny. He said “name one good female comedian”. I named around 20. He said “ nope not funny” I said “have you ever watched/listened to any of them?” He said no. I said “ well how do you know if they’re funny or not?” It’s so annoying when someone goes into an argument, asks for proof, gets provided proof, then refuses to acknowledge it

19points

Pirates of Zen Pants 2 years ago

I feel for this man. Imagine not knowing Wanda Sykes, Aisling Bea, Tiffany Haddish, Kate McKinnon, Tina Fey, Fortune Feimster, Michelle Buteau, or Betty freakin' White. My life is enriched by how funny these women are.

7points

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Monday 2 years ago

What do you think he would have done if you asked him about his favourite comedians and then followed his response up with "Seriously? They're not funny at all!"?

3points

Den Ver 2 years ago (edited)

South Park (20 sec.) ... "Say something funny" ... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BAAoaA6J4-c . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes, There is a lot of SARCASM in South Park episodes.

0points

Eff the haters 2 years ago

What did he say after that?

Sanne Van Buuren 2 years ago

This list is silly. It seems ironically written by people pretending to be smart 😅

Dekker451 2 years ago

When they say "trust me, I've done the research" or something similar. It invariably means they googled it for a few minutes.

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30 People Share Signs That Someone Is Not As Smart As They’re Pretending To Be

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