Brilliant...but lazy....

[Daeggreth]

I think brilliant but lazy people are a little annoying. Mostly because I've met people who say they are like this and so don't try. And then they get behind and whine they may actually have to study or something. And also, cause if you are brilliant, why the fuck would you not apply yourself?

Fear. When your self worth comes from always excelling without ever having to try, what happens if you come across something that you can't do with your eyes tied behind your back?

How much easier is it to know that you could probably still excel if you applied yourself than to do so and find out you cannot?

The ingrained work habits, or lack thereof, are also a huge factor.

Edit: I think there are actually two kinds of 'brilliant but lazy' people being discussed here. They are basically one and the same, but I personally know far more of them who take no pride in their natural gifts than those who maintain a smug sense of superiority.

 

[DoomyMcDoom]

I've been called brilliant, but I dropped out of school, couldn't hack it what with my mom dating a heroine addict, my sister doing her best toget rid of him, including an annonymous call to child and family services accusing him of molesting me(I mean don't get me wrong guy was a douche, but a child molesting pedo he was not) meaning that aside from being the poor kid, the quiet kid, and the kid with asthma, who also was dosed to hell and back on antidepressants, but now I was the kid who got pulled outa class by the cops. I had no friends, my family was a warzone, and I was on so much medication that I couldn't feel or think propperly, and it was causing major insomnia. I wouldn't call that lazy, I dunno about any of you.

I grew up poor though, had to work for everything, grew up with a firm understanding that nothing in life is free.

I'm 26 and just now pulling out of the cycle of povery, and depression I've been fighting for over a decade, next step GED, after that, no fuckin clue, too late/expensive to get into mechanical engineering(which I fancy), so I have no clue what I'll do from now,might just take some business courses, and open a business of some sort with some friends... never know what the future holds, I may die in an accident or something by then, never know, so I live as much life as I can in the meantime.

Some people are arrogant A-holes though, I'm sure that's the type discussed here, arrogance is not my thing. I know I'm smart, but I don't make a big deal of it.

 

[Icehearted]

So much presumption. Honestly, a lot of the world is 10% skill and 90% opportunity. It doesn't matter how brilliant a person is, if they haven't the means, are not well connected, or simply unskilled at pandering to curry favor they can get nowhere in life because other people won't allow them to do so. Being lazy is nearly NEVER the problem.

And what about the people who have the so called smarts but never take opportunities even if they're given to them on a plate?

Couldn't tell you. Being "brilliant" doesn't always mean doing what's brilliant or even sensible. It's been said that a part of being exceptionally gifted is being unusually flawed (more or less), perhaps what some people see as an obvious opportunity others that are brilliant might be missing the obvious.

Again I doubt it's a matter of being lazy, at least not very often. Even things that come across as laziness might actually be hiding deeper issues.

 

[RedFeather1975]

There are brilliant people out there who are completely incompatible with what this world demands. Attack their sense of pride, threaten them, or make them hurt because they don't contribute. Whatever lines you want to cross. It's both desperate and futile.
Now go and burn with rage. Just feel that anger and need to spite consume you.

Strong the rage is in you, young one.


LET IT ENGULF YOUR HEART FEEL THE RAGE CONSUME YOUR VERY SOUL AND CRY AS EVERY FIBER OF YOUR BEING IS CAUSED TO SHIVER WITH EACH AND EVERY BREATH THESE PEOPLE TAKE.




Although, you're probably a douche bag, this is a worthless topic about people who don't know how to manage their life... then again if you're looking at garbage like this I'd hate to compare your life to theirs.

I am very upset nowadays.
I'm in a horrible part of life right now.

I'm 37 years old and spent so much time and energy struggling to learn new responsibilities and dedicate my time to ensuring the growth and prosperity of elders and peers alike. And now I am jobless, my savings almost gone, and everywhere I turn get complete apathy towards my past commitments and accumulated experience.
The world is telling me that I am not good enough for it, that I owe it money, that I am wrong in wanting to escape it, and that I must now employ miracles day after day to earn my right to avoid it's censure.

I can longer muster up the amount of naive optimism it would take for me to see the collective as conscionable or just. It's a litter of animals fighting to feed their own voracious appetites and enthusiastically cite who the runts of the litter are in order to invoke vae victis upon them.

Right now I just wish this world would try to act as though nobody should be left behind, or if that is not possible help those who've become a burden to go in peace.

As for this topic, I posted that I misinterpreted what it was about. I am very sensitive right now, and felt like it was a personal attack on those who are not living up to the demands and standards of a forced arrangement that was made without their consent.

 

[OuroborosChoked]

That video irks me to no end... just a bunch of damned hipsters bragging... Ugh. Nothing I'd rather see less, and I mean that.

What we've got going on here is a standard case of the Dunning-Kruger Effect
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

I don't think that's really what's going on here, though A for effort. I think most people just haven't been challenged by their schooling... it's so easy to just skate by on most things that it ingrains a sense of academic apathy.

For me, I wouldn't say I'm brilliant. I know my limits. I know I'm sharper than many of the people I meet and can speak intelligently about a wide, wide array of topics (just curious by nature and I absorb everything), but I can and will readily acknowledge the skills and talents of others if or when I see them being displayed.

However, I'm not particularly skilled in any one area... nor am I motivated to rectify that or apply myself. I just don't care to. Apathy is the word. There's no point, so why bother? I'll work hard enough to maintain a comfortable lifestyle and get the things I want... but beyond that? Meh. I can't use it after I die... so fuck it.

 

[NightHawk21]

snip

Curious how old are you. What you said described was pretty much me in highschool. No joke, but I may have taken a total of 10 pages worth of notes if you discount chemistry.

Still I think its more a curse. Highschool is easy. Like stupid easy. I honestly can't believe that any person who legitimately tries at something could not get 80+. Shit in my final year I finished with a 96.8% overall. Due to that though I lost all my good habits, and that comes back to bite you in the ass hard in university if you take really intensive programs. In my first year I fell from just under a 97% in grade 12 to a 78-79% in first year. I managed to bring that up to an even 80% cumulative last year, and some of my good study habits are finally coming back. Even still though two years later I'm still struggling trying to force myself to study instead of dick around on videogames like I used to. Upside though, been getting perfect on everything so far this year, but we'll see how that goes with midterms starting in a couple days.

 

[Vault101]

No offense, but you just accused people of laziness online without properly spelling laziness or use of caps. I'm not saying the occasional typo is bad, but this takes minimal effort.

Apologies

[quote/]Think about that.[/quote]
[b/]OOOHHH Burn![/b]


[quote/]Also, I'm not sure TV Tropes is to be taken seriously. Some of those were fairly obviously tongue in cheek.[/quote]
really though? because this seems to be a big internet thing

They can sit there with a sense of smug supirioty without ever having to show anything for it,

[quote/]Yes, when I think "superiority," I think "flunked out of college."[/quote]
not sure what you mean by that....but if somone thinks they are better than others then it doesnt matter what they do

[i/]college is BS! I decided not to bother with that crap because the treachers didn't like me (hence my low grades), no I didn't pay attention because I already knew...they just didn't "get" somone like me who goes against the grain[/i]

I'm not a Christian, but there are many Biblical passages that deal with the concept of "don't judge." I'm particularly fond of the one that (and I'm paraphrasing), says "before removing the speck from your neighbour's eye, first remove the plank from yours."

Maybe spend more time working on yourself before you start casting about at others.

what...I'm not allowed to have an opinion now?

alot of the time I dont like to judge others.....but I see this attitude and it annoys me, I find it actually odd I'd get a response like that...youve seen the "I hate x" threads that pop up semi-regually..we LOVE them and theres tons of judging going on there

not saying thats 100% fine but I still reserve my right to vent about things that bother me

 

[Vault101]

Although, you're probably a douche bag, this is a worthless topic about people who don't know how to manage their life... then again if you're looking at garbage like this I'd hate to compare your life to theirs.

ease up...he got the wrong end of the stick and apologies...its cool

Sorry, Vault101. I think I misinterpreted what this topic was about.

its ok

heres a picutre of a cute dog to cheer you up

[spoiler/][img/]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p9WOfJ6lZxA/Tjg_MdSZKdI/AAAAAAAAAnY/0i7Tw1HSssA/s1600/Cute+funny+animals+photo+pic+image+of+dog+eating+biscuit.jpgp[/img][/spoiler]

 

[Moonlight Butterfly]

snip

A teacher once said to me 'Whether you pass this exam or not will depend on what mood you wake up in.' I always had really bad problems focusing or concentrating in school but I enjoyed the subject matter and I always got good grades. I ended up with two degrees. Might be to do with the illness I have, I don't know, as it effects hormones and brain chemistry :/. I also had a lot of problems at home.

But yeah this trope is really negative I can see why you are mad at it. It cuts a bit deep with me too.

 

[game-lover]

Isn't the term for this basically "underachiever?" As opposed to "overachiever?"

But yeah... I'd say I fit the mold. I was asked once what would I prefer: getting an "A" with lots of work to be done or getting a "C" without having to do anything. I chose the latter. Because a pass is a pass. As long as I didn't fail, I'm pretty satisfied.

Then again, I never considered myself all that brilliant. Smart, maybe. And everyone sure tells me I am. But... *shrugs*

 

[Watcheroftrends]

Intelligence is merely a tool. You're an idiot if you think otherwise, and you're mental if you know this but choose to be unhappy because you are unwilling to change.

 

[Acton Hank]

I'm not brilliant but I sure am lazy.

I do love how half of this thread is people going. "Oh that's me. Brilliant and lazy."
Yet I see no proof of the brilliance.

Still, I guess everyone likes to feel like they're different or special.

What exactly counts as "proof of brilliance" in an internet forum?

I kind of see this comment as: I'm not brilliant but everybody else thinks they are,
so admitting I'm not brilliant actually makes me special.

Not at all.
It just makes me more honest with myself.

Well it's hard to prove brilliance but something more than just saying "I am amazing when I can be bothered" would be good.

Now I'm more honest than everybody else, ain't I great?

All right, I'm just fucking around.

I'll say "I'm pretty good when I can be bothered" that sounds a little better right?

 

[Something Amyss]

really though? because this seems to be a big internet thing

Have you looked at much of the Troper Tales stuff? a LOT of it really is done as a piss take.

[i/]college is BS! I decided not to bother with that crap because the treachers didn't like me (hence my low grades), no I didn't pay attention because I already knew...they just didn't "get" somone like me who goes against the grain[/i]

Yes, they proclaim sour grapes and nobody buys it.

what...I'm not allowed to have an opinion now?

Reread what I said. I didn't say you were not allowed to have an opinion, I said "those in glass houses should not throw stones." Work on yourself first.

not saying thats 100% fine but I still reserve my right to vent about things that bother me

Vent all you want, but it's still hypocritical to proclaim others to be wrong for not trying if you yourself will not try. Besides, "it's my opinion, man!" [/irony]

Seriously, you can't play the opinion card when you're evidently against me expressing mine. Communication, free speech, and the like are two way streets. You get to talk, so does everyone else. You get to rant, so does everyone else.

 

[PhunkyPhazon]

Ugh. This is exactly what I was like as a teen. Sort of. I didn't see myself as particularly smart or capable of getting good grades, so I did the bare minimum of work and just barely squeaked by my high school graduation. I know I could show competence to my teachers from time to time, bot overall I just didn't care.

Fast forward a few years, I have a huge change in attitude and suddenly I'm taking college-level courses getting straight A's and B's, while my classmates see me as "the smart one" (even when I don't feel like I am) and I get complimented left and right by my Professors. I know the last couple of sentences sound arrogant and braggy, but it's the truth. By no means do I consider myself a genius or absolutely brilliant or anything like that, but I feel like my intelligence went up simply by changing my work ethic.

So maybe it isn't "brilliant but lazy", it's just simply "lazy".

 

[Kayos]

Nothing wrong with being highly intelligent and lazy - just because someone may be incredibly smart, doesnt mean they have to do what the world wants them to do, they have hobbies, dreams and goals of their own.

 

[Bad Jim]

I got that at school. My teachers said I was very smart and could rule the world if I just handed in a few more assignments. I was skeptical, knowing that:

- They just wanted me to hand in my assignments

- When I did do assignments well, it was often because I horribly mismanaged my time and spent ten hours on something that should have taken one hour. When you put in ten times more work, the results are obviously impressive. But I couldn't have done that for every assignment, even if I wasn't a lazy bum as well.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I'd never claim myself to be 'brilliant' in general. However, I do excel in my own fields.

I agree with you that it's irritating when you see really gifted people doing just the minimum amount to get by, partly out of jealousy I admit. If I've worked really hard to get an above average score in a test, it doesn't do morale any favours to see someone who couldn't care less come and make me look like my efforts were wasted because I'll never be as good as them.

On the other hand however, I do symapthise with some of them to an extent. I also have things that I could be much better at then I am if I really applied myself, but I don't, because to really excel at something you need more than just natural ability, you need passion, and there are some things that I am naturally gifted for but have never been able to summon any kind of impetus to care. I also think the school environment, especially in later years, doesn't help. I remember getting to the stage in my final year where I looked back through everything I'd done before, back through the times where I was super enthusiastic and competitive over everything I did, and all it seemed to show me was that if you really try and succeed, there's no prize over the horizon, just another, harder challenge, stretching as far as the eye could see.

I couldn't see all my efforts amounting to anything substantial and positive. All they seemed to be doing was making me miserable with stress. I just felt worn out, meaning that doing just enough to get by, and having no-one expect any more of you, seemed like the more attractive option.

This is such a thoughtful post.

I would add to this that early schooling is problematic too. My memory of it is that the classes were too mixed in terms of ability levels. Teachers obviously have to attempt to cater to everyone, which in practice means devoting the lion-share of their attention and consideration to the kids with learning disorders. I suspect this is a government targets and/or limited funding kind of thing. I know it meant that plenty of bright kids were sat around twiddling thumbs and becoming more and more disillusioned with the whole thing.

There are plenty of people around who fit the description. I grant you that not fulfilling potential is an odd thing to be proud of, but I don't think it's to be ashamed of either. I don't begrudge anyone not gearing their lives towards productivity and maximising potential. If you don't like where those roads appear to go, why would you make the journey?

 

[FieryTrainwreck]

My best/worst "brilliant but lazy" story involves a high school advanced placement biology course. I rarely showed up to class or did the homework, especially towards the end. Managed an impressive 39% (well below minimum passing grade, for those who don't know). Still passed the associated AP test, which means I received college credit for a class I badly failed. Did almost the same thing with AP psychology.

I think a large part of the "brilliant but lazy" phenomena revolves around successful manipulation of other people. I can very easily come off as the smartest guy in the room even when I know for a fact that this is not so. I can intuitively tell teachers, bosses, and other authority figures exactly what they want to hear. In effect, I can be something of a social politician, greasing wheels and kissing babies without even realizing it.

I also hate this about myself, which is why I'm fairly anti-social and shut-in.