How do you put on an intellectual air?

[Anastasia13]

I joined an honor society but I am so used to not being around people who are at the top 3% of my school like that. I hang out mostly with anime club members and people who get C's. I don't mean I want to come off as fake; I really do like short pieces of Russian literature and started doing old chem homework for fun the last summer I didn't work. I'm like the girl in Legally Blond with less interest in hair and fashion or the color pink. I want to know how to sort of put on an intellectual air more than I know now. Can anyone help me understand how?

[DAF]

Just let it be known that you're interested in what they're interested in. I think the best way to "put on an air of intellectualism" is best accomplished when you are for the most part, intellectually sound. Watch the news more often, read some articles in the newspaper, stuff like that.

[zunshynn]

I don't think you're going to need intellectual airs... My friends and I are the "smart group" at school... that just means we're big nerds. I mean sure we talk about books alot, and we watch history movies way too much, and we find things funny that you'd only think were funny if you understood the literature or whatever it comes from... but I don't think that necessarily means we "sound" smart. And it's not like we think other people are unintelligent.

[Totus Tuus]

Just be yourself and let them learn from YOU!

[philothea]

Speak clearly, with proper grammar; don't use too much slang.

Talk about what you know, ask about things you don't. Smart people LOVE to explain their specialties to you. They'll think you're brilliant just for listening politely.

Don't be too outspoken on controversial subjects until you're familiar with other people's views. (I'm not saying you have to agree, but you at least want to know what you're getting into, and be prepared.)

Talk about books and plays more than you talk about TV shows or sports.

That said, discussing anime will not detract from your seeming intellectual, unless you're talking Yu-Gi-Oh.

Edited November 22, 2005 by philothea

[Theologian in Training]

Just remember you don't need to join an honor society to be intellectual. It should come naturally as a part of you, and if it does, you will connect to others who feel the same, whether they are high intellectuals or not.

As an undergrad most of my friends were in honors....me, I wasn't. Yet, I enjoyed their company more than others. Why? Because I could relate and shared a common bond. We ate, read, spoke, and bled poetry....not many on campus were like that only those "weird honor kids"

God Bless

[Nathan]

Most of the honors students I know don't strike me as being particularly intellectual. They're just really diligent, hard workers. They're generally quiet types, mousy, don't ask a lot of questions, keep their noses to the grindstone. If it isn't about what's on Thursday's exam, they don't have much of an opinion about it.

Many of the biggest and brightest intellectuals I've known have been B and C students. Very smart, but their minds are often elsewhere from their assigned school work.

Edited November 22, 2005 by Nathan

[philothea]

Nathan has a point. "Intellectual" is not the same as Honors Student. They never seemed interested in anything besides comparing grades.

[Anastasia13]

[quote name='philothea' date='Nov 21 2005, 09:13 PM']Nathan has a point.  "Intellectual" is not the same as Honors Student.  They never seemed interested in anything besides comparing grades.
[right][snapback]797266[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
Even in college?

[benedictaj]

[quote name='zunshynn' date='Nov 22 2005, 03:15 PM']I don't think you're going to need intellectual airs... My friends and I are the "smart group" at school... that just means we're big nerds. I mean sure we talk about books alot, and we watch history movies way too much, and we find things funny that you'd only think were funny if you understood the literature or whatever it comes from... but I don't think that necessarily means we "sound" smart. And it's not like we think other people are unintelligent.
[right][snapback]797189[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

LOL sounds like my friends!

[Nathan]

Too often in universities, "intellectual" means flaming liberal, or communist. People with dreadlocks and dirty clothes who worship Chomsky, engage in left-wing hyperbole, and attend bi-weekly "Bush smells of elderberries" rallies in between hackey-sack sessions.

[Ash Wednesday]

Surround yourself with people that are dumber than you.

[benedictaj]

[quote name='Nathan' date='Nov 22 2005, 04:44 PM']Too often in universities, "intellectual" means flaming liberal, or communist. [right][snapback]797289[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]

Really?

[quote]People with dreadlocks and dirty clothes who worship Chomsky, [/quote]

I think that people can appreciate [b]some[/b] Noam Chomsky without having dreadlocks or wearing dirty clothing.....

[quote]engage in left-wing hyperbole, and attend bi-weekly "Bush smells of elderberries" rallies in between hackey-sack sessions.[/quote]

Oh right...I see.....The whole not living in America means [b]I don't get all of this.[/b] Right...

Hehe. :

[jezic]

be yourself.

[phatcatholic]

make sure that what you say always adds to the conversation

speak with confidence

be available to help others. this can mean w/ homework assignments or just by giving good advice

try to stay organized

wear glasses

[photosynthesis]

[quote name='Light and Truth' date='Nov 21 2005, 09:05 PM']I want to know how to sort of put on an intellectual air more than I know now.  Can anyone help me understand how?
[right][snapback]797181[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
A true intellectual does not need to put on an intellectual air. Just be the smart, witty person that you are! Don't pretend to have read books that you've never even cracked and PLEASE don't feign a foreign accent (have you seen Bridget Jones' Diary?). Reading the newspaper and paying attention to what's going on around you is always a good thing to do, but newspapers are written so that non-intellectuals can understand them, as most articles are around the 8th grade reading level. God humbles the proud and exalts the humble.

[quote name='Nathan' date='Nov 21 2005, 10:44 PM']Too often in universities, "intellectual" means flaming liberal, or communist. People with dreadlocks and dirty clothes who worship Chomsky, engage in left-wing hyperbole, and attend bi-weekly "Bush smells of elderberries" rallies in between hackey-sack sessions.
[right][snapback]797289[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
so true!!! That's definitely my experience with intellectualism and academia. If that's what it means to be an intellectual, I want no part in it. especially the Noam Chomsky :

[jiyoung]

I've always heard "putting on airs" as a negative term...Most people I know who are really smart don't parade it. If you affect intellectual airs really obviously, people will know and their opinion of you might sour. There's something to be said about good grammar and such when speaking, but you shouldn't change to "fit in" somewhere. You might be trying to conform to a stereotype...I grew up around the "A" kids and the "intellectuals" and to be honest, unless they were talking about something serious, they were just like everyone else. Bottom line is, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. You don't need to put on airs...

[Nathan]

[quote name='photosynthesis' date='Nov 22 2005, 02:24 AM']so true!!!  That's definitely my experience with intellectualism and academia.  If that's what it means to be an intellectual, I want no part in it.  especially the Noam Chomsky :[right][snapback]797534[/snapback][/right][/quote]

I would add, too, that in secular universities, no matter how much of an intellectual you are, if you are a political conservative and a religious person (particularly a Christan), most "intellectuals" will NOT see you as an intellectual, as one of them. In their minds, being a conservative and being religious automatically disqualifies you from being an intellectual. And it ain't just the students that think like this.

Which is ridiculous, of course, but that's the way it is.

Edited November 22, 2005 by Nathan

[cmotherofpirl]

NEVER try to bluff in a conversation, if you don't know somethng admit it.
If you don't know how to pronounce a word, check before you speak.
Nothing is funnier or sadder than a person pretending to be what they are not.
I think its most important to be interested and curious about everything in the universe. Even though I have a college degree I admit to not being an intellectual.

Edited November 22, 2005 by cmotherofpirl

[ofpheritup]

[quote name='Totus Tuus' date='Nov 21 2005, 09:18 PM']Just be yourself and let them learn from YOU!
[right][snapback]797192[/snapback][/right]
[/quote]
I had the answer and my computer "burped" so I am answering AGAIN.
HERE GOES.

The above answer is "Perfect." It is the only answer needed for any and all situations (well not any and all) but you understand.

Do you want to feel as though you fit in? Of course. Do you want them to like you? Probably. That on some level is what we all search for.

B...U...T.... What you need to watch out for is the "price tag."
What is it going to cost you? If you have to be someone that "God did not create" or " you are not accepted simply being you."
The price is too high. And ain't nobody worth that.

God knew what He was doing when He made you.
My expression: "If you're good enough for Him, you're good enough for anyone."

Please think about this. This will apply to all of your life, not just college.