Intelligent = Arrogant?

**mPeror** · Jul 27, 2005, 19:50

Do you think that when someone becomes real good at his field (development , design or whatever) ; he automatically turns into an arrogant person? I've met countless people like that from different forums (this one included) , and i still can't find a reason for it.I mean if you're very good at something ; you probably suck so hard at something else.

And there's a worse kind of people ; those who pretend to be nice and helpful at the forums , and when you talk to them on instanst messaging ; you find that they're actually arrogant a******* from head to toe.

I don't know , but seems like those people think that EVERYONE should be real smart and should NEVER ask stupid questions , and they forget the fact that they knew NOTHING when they started out.

Just a word of advice for those who "knows too much" in their field ; remember that you're not perfect , and you have your own weak points. Those who you laugh at when they do your "thing" might laugh at you when you do theirs. There's no reason to be arrogant , really.

**Technosailor** · Jul 27, 2005, 20:14

I know what you mean. Let me toss out the idea that someone who is excellent in their field might not be so much arrogant as confident. And plus, a certain degree of swagger is healthy. I know you are referring to how people deal with newbs, but I'm just offering my own opinion on arrogance.

**dc dalton** · Jul 27, 2005, 20:31

I dont think its arrogance in the true sense, its the inability to be able to deal with someone at a lower intelligence level (in that subject)

**battra** · Jul 27, 2005, 20:43

I think it's a matter of perception. I don't think they are arrogant (some are, but not all) but I often feel intimidated when talking with smart people. You know, afraid to say stupid things and become more sensitive to what they say to me. So perhaps the person you were talking to didn't mean to offend you at all when he laughed at you.

**mPeror** · Jul 27, 2005, 20:43

In my opinion arrogance and confident are different things that can be easily distinguished. When you could be nice and confident at the same time , but when you're arrogant you can't be nice.

I dont think its arrogance in the true sense, its the inability to be able to deal with someone at a lower intelligence level (in that subject)

Might be. I still think it's closest to arrogance though.

It's not always about intelligence. I knew a professional C++ programmer who could do about ANYTHING in C++ , but when discussing things other than programming with him he sounds real dumb. I'm talking about people who are good at their profession.

**bagman101** · Jul 27, 2005, 20:45

We're only arrogant cos we have so much to be arrogant about!!!

**Egor** · Jul 27, 2005, 21:47

M, I'm starting to enjoy these 'rant' threads of yours.

**sid egg** · Jul 27, 2005, 22:09

Well, you know, you're actually quite right... I mean, this comes in to play especially strongly in the digital world, because, to be honest, many of them don't have the social skills they really need.

But, particularly with web-design, I mean, when someone looks at one of your sites, and gets mad at you because you used tables for layouts, or not entirely CSS, it's just stupid. I mean, Google, eBay, Amazon, Yahoo, etc do not use entirely CSS, they use CSS where CSS works better, and HTML when HTML works better.

**ses5909** · Jul 28, 2005, 03:00

I don't know what experiences you've had with people M, so I can't really speak to those. I do share the view that there is a fine line between being arrogrant and being confident. When you are confident, you see your strengths and you acknowledge them. When you are arrogant, you think you are better than someone else because of those strengths.

I know I have my strengths and my weaknesses and I know what they are. A lot of arrogant people don't really admit their weaknesses.

Also, try not to generalize people on Instant message. People will often take time out of their day to come to forums to help people but when people they don't know or don't usually talk to message them for help, that person may be working or it may not be the best time for them to help you.

Personally, I try and help people if I can, but if I'm in the middle of work and I see a problem may take longer than just a few minutes, I let that person know I can't help them because I don't have time. This may rub people the wrong way, but we all have jobs to do and paychecks to earn.

**Technosailor** · Jul 28, 2005, 04:30

Sara,

Good point on the IM. I didn't even catch the fact that he was referring to IM.

IMs a whole 'nother ballgame. Unless I explicitly ask you to IM me or give you permission to IM me for help don't do it. As Sara said, we all have jobs and paychecks to earn. I come to SPF when I can, not all the time.

Plus, if an issue can be resolved publically, let's do it that way so it can benefit someone else down the road who has the same problem.

**Jeremy W.** · Jul 28, 2005, 04:38

I'd like to think that I'm excellent in my field (blogging). And I'd like to think I'm not arrogant about it... That said, I'm sure I can come across that way on IM, since these days I only log onto IM to make calls or whatnot, and so often can't have "chatty" conversations...

But, if I am being arrogant, I'd love to know :|

**Technosailor** · Jul 28, 2005, 04:59

Yeah, you're pretty bad, Jeremy.

**Jeremy W.** · Jul 28, 2005, 04:59

**dhtmlgod** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:02

J, you've always been arrogant

And it's why we love you!

:runs:

**conradical** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:03

I rubbed people the wrong way all the time. Thats why I quit being a masseur and picked up graphic design.

*nobody IM's me.

Good, DON'T!

**Indian** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:05

Originally Posted by Jeremy W.

But, if I am being arrogant, I'd love to know :|

I'd love to let you know that you are arrogant, as always.

Now, am I being arrogant?

**Indian** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:07

I am late, as always...

**conradical** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:07

Originally Posted by Indian

I am late, as always...

Thats okay, thats IST

**Indian** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:09

Originally Posted by dhtmlgod

And it's why we love you!

No, I don't love him

**biggdesign** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:13

Know and remember your roots.

**Technosailor** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:17

J told me one time that he was the most humble person he knows.

**Beaker** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:19

remember the only stupid questions are those you don't ask.

I'm aparrently very patronising when i'm showing someone how to use a PC. I don't mean to be, it's just that long experience has taught me that going back to basics is the easiest way.

the real experts often forget that a the person they are speaking to isn't as clued up as them, and they quite lose their temper as a result. One mate of mine is a CCNP, and he's a nightmare to get info out of, he thinks everyone has 10 years experience and knows all the minor details he doesn't think about doing.

**Strypes** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:25

Originally Posted by mPeror

I mean if you're very good at something ; you probably suck so hard at something else.

The more intelligent we become, the more ignorent(sp?) we become.

The more you know the more you realize you don't know.

That said, I could be the best at something, but I'd never admit it (ok I admit to being the lazyest person in the world). Those whom are arrogant aren't as intelligent as they 'think' they are. If they were, they'd realize how dumb they are about other things (and hence not be arrogant).

I'll have to agree that I wouldn't call it arrogance, I know I am guilty of the same attitude from time to time. As an example:

noob: how do I get to "xxtown".
me: take the boat
noob I thought since it was part of a quest there might be a different way
me: you went 30 lvl's and never read a quest? It tells you "get on the boat at xxxdock, goto xxtown and travel xxdirection to speak with xxperson"

In that instance it's annoyance, that the answer was right in front of them and they were too lazy to read it. Lazyness to the point of wanting others to play a game for you, because your too lazy to play it yourself.

EDIT: not saying that's the case here.

**Jeremy W.** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:26

Originally Posted by Sketch

J told me one time that he was the most humble person he knows.

Yeah, the Humility Society once gave me a pin for being so humble, but they took it away when I decided to wear it.

**Beaker** · Jul 28, 2005, 05:28

Originally Posted by Strypes

The more intelligent we become, the more ignarent(sp?) we become.

remember the old adage about an Expert being someone who knows more and more about less and less?

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