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kiknkorea
Joined: 16 May 2008
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 Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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| exercise_in_futility wrote: |
| HOlding a conspicuous "The Economist" in your hand, scoff at people reading the Korea Herald or Korea Times. |
You don't need a copy of The Economist for this.  |
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Senior
Joined: 31 Jan 2010
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject: |
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| exercise_in_futility wrote: |
HOlding a conspicuous "The Economist" in your hand, scoff at people reading the Korea Herald or Korea Times.
Never talk when you can help it:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/fat-guy-mistakenly-thought-of-as-strong,5635/
Carry a book with a title that signifies difficult material. When asked to explain, simply retort, "Oh this? I just started reading it. I like to dabble in genomics from time to time." If further pressed, just make up bullsh&t. Most laypeople will agree with whatever you have to say.
I like to throw around "but what's your metric?" and "there's no metric for something like that!" just for kicks.
Read up on Greek mythology and drop in references in daily conversation. But not too many or you'll be thought an ass, one must not fly too close to the sun. |
No self respecting individual, who knows anything about economics, reads the economist. |
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exercise_in_futility
Joined: 11 May 2009
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Senior wrote: |
| exercise_in_futility wrote: |
HOlding a conspicuous "The Economist" in your hand, scoff at people reading the Korea Herald or Korea Times.
Never talk when you can help it:
http://www.theonion.com/articles/fat-guy-mistakenly-thought-of-as-strong,5635/
Carry a book with a title that signifies difficult material. When asked to explain, simply retort, "Oh this? I just started reading it. I like to dabble in genomics from time to time." If further pressed, just make up bullsh&t. Most laypeople will agree with whatever you have to say.
I like to throw around "but what's your metric?" and "there's no metric for something like that!" just for kicks.
Read up on Greek mythology and drop in references in daily conversation. But not too many or you'll be thought an ass, one must not fly too close to the sun. |
No self respecting individual, who knows anything about economics, reads the economist. |
True, but you can't deny it has greate snob appeal than Korea Times.
Cmon people, let's keep this useless thread alive!! I just wanna beat the "I'm not pregnant, but" thread... i think it's doable. |
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exercise_in_futility
Joined: 11 May 2009
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:58 pm Post subject: |
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Listen to bands like Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear.
Preface everything with "[philosopher] once said..." Once the point is made, say "now, I think we can all agree that's a bit crude for OUR purposes, but nonetheless...." and smile smugly.
Drive a Saab or a PT Cruiser. |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:59 pm Post subject: |
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| kiknkorea wrote: |
| exercise_in_futility wrote: |
| HOlding a conspicuous "The Economist" in your hand, scoff at people reading the Korea Herald or Korea Times. |
You don't need a copy of The Economist for this. |
A roll of Charmin will suffice. |
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UknowsI
Joined: 16 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:34 am Post subject: |
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I disagree with quite a lot of the advice given in this thread, but I'll give my opinion.
1. Using buzzwords will make it look like you are trying too hard. The skill is to explain something complicated in a simple way, not the other way around.
2. Never talk in absolute truth. If someone says something you believe is wrong, phrase it like "Many historians believe the Germans started the second world war, what makes you think it was the French?". By not openly disagreeing with anyone, you wont make any enemies who are out to get you or who thinks you're obnoxious, but you will also never be wrong, because you don't state anything as facts.
3. Don't use any unnecessary words like "like" or "totally".
4. Have steady eye contact and lower the intonation of your voice in the end of your sentence.
5. Shun stereotypical topics such as "George Bush is bad", "Legalize marijuana" and so on. When these topics come up, state a reflected and objective opinion without strongly choosing side and then move on. If the other people continue talking about it, ignore them or start talking about something else.
6. Be calm in any situation. Do not show emotions while discussing and never show anger. |
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exercise_in_futility
Joined: 11 May 2009
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 1:07 am Post subject: |
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| UknowsI wrote: |
I disagree with quite a lot of the advice given in this thread, but I'll give my opinion.
1. Using buzzwords will make it look like you are trying too hard. The skill is to explain something complicated in a simple way, not the other way around.
2. Never talk in absolute truth. If someone says something you believe is wrong, phrase it like "Many historians believe the Germans started the second world war, what makes you think it was the French?". By not openly disagreeing with anyone, you wont make any enemies who are out to get you or who thinks you're obnoxious, but you will also never be wrong, because you don't state anything as facts.
3. Don't use any unnecessary words like "like" or "totally".
4. Have steady eye contact and lower the intonation of your voice in the end of your sentence.
5. Shun stereotypical topics such as "George Bush is bad", "Legalize marijuana" and so on. When these topics come up, state a reflected and objective opinion without strongly choosing side and then move on. If the other people continue talking about it, ignore them or start talking about something else.
6. Be calm in any situation. Do not show emotions while discussing and never show anger. |
regarding your point #1... then it wouldn't be a TRICK now would it? |
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UknowsI
Joined: 16 Apr 2009
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 1:23 am Post subject: |
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| exercise_in_futility wrote: |
regarding your point #1... then it wouldn't be a TRICK now would it? |
My main point was that I don't consider explaining something simple in a confusing way a sign of intelligence. Maybe it will trick someone for a moment, but as soon as they get to know you they'll realise what you are doing, and being recognized as someone who is throwing around difficult words to look smart is in my book worse than being dumb.
EDIT: Regarding my last comment I don't want to talk bad about dumb people. Being dumb doesn't have to be bad at all. I don't mind having dumb friends I do however not keep friends who are using cheap tricks to sound smart. If they use sophisticated tricks to be perceived as smart I might on the other hand admire them for it.
Last edited by UknowsI on Mon Mar 22, 2010 2:38 am; edited 3 times in total |
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Moldy Rutabaga
Joined: 01 Jul 2003
Location: Ansan, Korea
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 2:29 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| The skill is to explain something complicated in a simple way, not the other way around. |
But to me this is a sign of someone who actually is intelligent. To me, the point is that someone who watches "Ow, my balls" wants to appear as intelligent.
The New Yorker magazine. I used to see the commercials on PBS for them when I was a teenager, and even then I knew that anyone who read this pretentious twaddle was probably someone I should steer clear from at parties. It might be something you want to carry around. And held carefully sideways, not rolled up carelessly like Al Bundy does with a newspaper when he's going to the bathroom!
Words you need to use to give the fictional appearance of intelligence: Apropros. Kudos. Panache. Tres. Applaud. Gusto. Savvy. (Twaddle?) |
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Steelrails
Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Location: Earth, Solar System
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 5:17 am Post subject: |
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| 5. Shun stereotypical topics such as "George Bush is bad" |
Slightly off topic but back home I started to be a fan of Bush for the sheer fact that everyone blamed him for all their ills and cosmically speaking the guy wasn't that bad. I mean in the end Bush didn't really have anything to do with my personal quality of life.
If a night is ever going lame and slow and quiet (or if someone says something that seems like its going to start a heated argument), I throw out "You know, I kinda miss Bush." A few laugh and some take exception, but it generally shifts attention or changes the mood.
Actually, right now, I do kinda miss Bush. On some sort of primal level I really miss the guy. Life seems so...something without him. |
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southernman
Joined: 15 Jan 2010
Location: On the mainland again
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| Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 11:13 pm Post subject: |
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| maryjanes wrote: |
| 4. Be American |
 I just cracked up when I saw that, shame it was during a staff meeting  you're bad... some of us try to have a dignified persona at work, my covers totally blown now  |
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