Outcomes for Individuals with Extremely High IQ Scores
As suggested by a prominent member of the Prometheus Society, individuals with extremely high IQ scores above 180 can face three distinct outcomes. Understanding these potential paths can provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities these individuals might encounter.
Possible Outcomes for High IQ Individuals
The Brainy Social Network
One possible outcome is the individual being part of a bright social network. From an early age, they are recognized as intelligent and receive a good education. This usually leads them to become a recognized scientist, philosopher, or inventor. While this outcome is relatively rare, it showcases the potential for success and recognition available to high IQ individuals.
Rejection and Isolation
Another common outcome is the individual being isolated from a gifted family and being looked down upon by others. They may feel alienated and may not recognize their own intelligence. Consequently, they might end up feeling depressed and working in a low-level, low-paying job. This common outcome highlights the challenges faced by individuals with high IQ who do not have a supportive environment.
Double Life
A third and more common outcome is the individual not being recognized as gifted early on but eventually finding a way to make a valuable contribution to society. They may pursue formal education and a decent job, while simultaneously engaging in high-brow hobbies. For example, they could be a computer scientist by profession but a writer as a hobby, or an accountant who secretly studies ancient languages.
The Disadvantages of a High IQ
While having a high IQ is not inherently negative, one major challenge is the lack of peers to relate to. High IQ individuals may feel lonely due to their ability to understand complex concepts, often finding it difficult to find others who share their interests and intellect. This can be a significant emotional burden and can lead to feelings of isolation.
High IQ in Practice
To give perspective, having an IQ of 180 places one among the world's smartest individuals, while an IQ of 140 makes one one in 800 people. Steve Jobs, famous for his 180 IQ, demonstrated that intelligence does not always manifest as a purely intellectual advantage. His success was often attributed to his work ethic and intrinsic drive rather than his extraordinary cognitive abilities alone.
Learning and Potential Mistakes
Despite their high IQ, individuals can still learn any task with ease and read books in a matter of hours. They can teach themselves even faster than traditional college courses. However, this does not protect them from making mistakes in love or business. They can and do fall from time to time. They experience the full range of human emotions, including sadness and happiness, which underscores their humanity.