How to deal with pseudointellectuals?

Question

I'm in a class with people like this. I'm not a professional nor do I have masters degrees or doctorates. I do know a lot about different things. I've had experience with the arts and culture. Unlike them, I seek knowledge because it enriches me. I don't flaunt it. When I say something cultural, the teacher and the others look at me like, how do I know that? It makes it worse knowing that there is a guy I like and he keeps talking with this other girl about intellectual stuff. I don't want to sound like a know it all, but I feel left out sometimes. I hate having to prove myself all the time.

Answer 1

You're a lot wiser than most in your class, I would venture to say. Age and common sense bring a lot to the intellectual table, notwithstanding those who have degrees. But it is upsetting when you're in a group situation, and you see people who haven't a CLUE what they're talking about spewing their ignorant bile all over the room, and you just want to slap the sh*t out of them! And to add insult to injury, someone you like is taken in by a dolt, someone who probably thinks The Hubble is a character on the Flintstones! I sympathize with you, and hope you can hang in there while someone more your type catches on to all you have to offer! I know it's difficult, but if you have as much patience as you have intellect, you will be rewarded! All the best to you!

Answer 2

I know exactly where you are coming from. I spent a semester of College in Germany and my German was/isn't the greatest and there I was surrounded by all these pseudo-intellectual Germans making me feel stupid, because I didn't know half the words they were using.

This is of course can happen with people who speak your own language as you point on in your question. Dealing with it is easy.

#1 people can only make you feel inferior if you let them.

#2 even smart people don't know everything. There's always something they aren't hip to or knowledgeable about. Of course they always try to steer conversations away from those areas.

#3 Don't sweat it. People will like you for who you are...not for what you do or do not know.

Good luck with the dude you're after. Let him see how different you are from the intellectual chick.

Answer 3

Don't try to prove yourself. Keeping up with the Jones' is a futile effort. Your individuality is your greatest asset. NEVER try to be something your not, be it less or more, because everyone can spot a phony and that is a social turn-off. If you are out to impress someone then you are essentially competing with yourself. Not good. You may seem too eager to fit in and that detracts from a relaxed encounter which is important to maintain an open and candid conversation. Just be yourself. Tip: People love to show off. Ask someone an honest question that you know they can answer (don't spout it out for all to hear). Make it seem like you are sincerely interested in their input. Chances are they'll bend over backwards to imbue you with their eternal wisdom. It's a start.
P.S. Don't worry about what other people think. You'll just develope a complex.

Answer 4

what is your question?

I don't know if the people in question are pseudo-anything - if people are snobby, they're just plain snobby. You don't have to prove anything to snobs. And if you do, the problem is more yours than theirs.

you could think about it in a larger sense, with some detachment, considering class issues. I don't know how much you have studied class dynamics, but that subject might help you take this snobbish garbage less personally. Or get you enraged ... either way, it would be a good thing!

check out the books of bell hooks? or Michael Parenti.

Answer 5

You have to balance sounding smart and intelligent without sounding like a smartass who is trying to brown nose with the teacher. When I was in college, I had a bunch of classes with people who thought they were so smart they would just keep answering every single question....and when the teacher would say they were wrong they would actually start arguing with the teacher. The class just found them really annoying....so yeah, try to avoid being like that.

The best way to show that you are smart without being an annoying smart *** is to raise your hand, fully explain whatever you have to say and then let other people talk. Don't raise your hand every single time. Try to sit close to the guy who you like and start talking to him....and if it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out.....you could find some other guy who likes smart girls...

Answer 6

Orally quiet, perceivable observing, mentally analyzing, that's why people humbles themselves down.

They need not to prove anything. a great Philosopher ones said that to be silent is the best answer.

Pretend not to now and answer directly when questioned, only shallow waters make alot of noises (insecure people).

Dont be eaten up by cognitive distortions, your thinking too much, you did not go to class because of that guy right? he's just a bonus right? What is the purpose of your existence, no human being exist to be a sub-altern of any.

Answer 7

well..the root of the problem seems that you can't seem to keep your mouth shut when you just want show others what you know, ya? Try helping your classmates out when they have problems, or talking to them more often about UNintellectual stuff. eg, soccer. By flaunting your knowledge, they might think you are a show-off. so for now, just hang loose with a smile, and stick to talking about soccer! =)

Answer 8

Stuff like this resolves itself as the class continues. The fakers get lousy grades and get quieter. You'll be recognized for your knowledge .. give it time. Ask the guy if he'd like to study with you some time.

Answer 9

just because others refuse to sit in class like silent little lambs accepting everything the professor says rather than being an active participant in their educatiuon does not make them psuedointellectual, it makes them social.you can meet alot of interesting people and good friends if you learn to be social versus stuck up

Answer 10

Just ignore their pointless debates on existentialism,(which by definition is different for different people), and ignore thir conjured words that end in -ism, they are probably just muttering thigs like this,"Maltheism, problem of evil, quantum physcis, Drake equasion, pathos, Bush is evil, Bush is Hitler, Nietzsch IS GOd, and other bs.
Remember that only opinions formed by yourself, or those borne out of your own investigation mean anything.