> Smart people don’t think others are stupid > saying “I don’t know” is usually smart — because it’s refusing to jump to a conclusion.

this has been on my mind a lot lately

for decades ive been interacted with people assuming were all on the same page, have thought things through, and that many conclusions to statements are implied, thus would be rude and patronizing to clearly call out. doing so would be treating the other like a child. i dont think im that smart, i mostly spend time with friends, peers, and family who all keep up with me

my therapist pointed out my way of processing things is actually uncommon and suggested i could seek out a spectrum diagnosis. this comment took a lot to process but it helped me remember im in the 99% given a standardized test or if we look at other, certainly flawed, education metrics. similar to a varsity athlete who never makes it past high school is in the 99% of athletes, they dont think theyre so good because theyve seen much better competition and their peers are others at their level

on top of all this i find thinking of myself as smart as disgustingly egotistical

now my point: ive found i get along much better with people i normally alienated or conflicted with if i treat them the way i refused to before my therapist called me out. i clearly describe all of the thought that went into a conclusion, something i would have considered rude and "mansplainy" 6 months ago, and others seem to treat me entirely differently. pretty much completely rehabilitated my relationship with my inlaws