
Know-It-Alls Reveal When They Realized When They Weren't As Smart As They Thought
[rebelmouse-image 18350578 is_animated_gif=We all have stubborn 'know-it-all' moments, but occasionally, it goes too far. We see it in our politics, at work, and at school. Most of us are willing to accept when we are wrong, but it's usually not the greatest feeling.
bakait_bhosdu asked, When did you realise that you are not as smart as you thought you were?
Submissions have been edited for clarity, context, and profanity.
Getting thrust into competitive academia can be a serious blow to one's ego. But don't feel too bad, everyone feels the same way.
[rebelmouse-image 18352091 is_animated_gif=Starting college. Helped me realize that I'm quite average.
Starting graduate school really threw it in my face. Helped me realize that I'm actually below average and didn't belong there.
I thought it was both tbh...
[rebelmouse-image 18352092 is_animated_gif=When I realized that The Count on Sesame Street isn't called that just because he's a vampire, but because he's literally counting.
I shouldn't be trusted to vote.
If you want to be the best, learn from the best.
[rebelmouse-image 18352093 is_animated_gif=When I first started my job as a software developer. My boss and my pseudo-boss are absolute geniuses. I've never been more in awe of someone's expertise before. It was really humbling. Still is, I suppose.
Kids are very astute. And Adventure Time is amazing.
[rebelmouse-image 18352095 is_animated_gif=When you're around children they can point out stuff you don't see real fast. I started watching Adventure Time with my 6-year-old daughter. I have seen a lot of it previously. So to try and interact and discuss it. I said "that silly Ice King is always chasing after the girls and trying to get people to be his friends," She said that's because he can't be a king without people.
It's hard to go from the top to being just one of the masses. Don't be afraid to ask for help, there's a reason college isn't a solo venture.
[rebelmouse-image 18352096 is_animated_gif=By failing the first year of uni. Despite getting lukewarm at best results from my final exams at high school, I still carried with me a raging ego and a belief that I was a modern day genius and everyone didn't know it. I walked in there confident that I was going to become a shining beacon of knowledge and wisdom.
Boy did I not
Not only were my study habits completely wack, but I didn't even try to take advantage of the resources and support there because I was foolishly under the delusion that I could easily just work things out by myself and everything would be ok.
Well, it doesn't work like the movies and reality caught up with me. I yanked out that year and really had to have a good hard look at myself and what I was doing. It's really hard to come to grips with the fact you're not as smart or charismatic or competent as you thought you were because admitting that to yourself means admitting that you were fundamentally wrong about who you are as a person. And that's just so painful to have to come to terms with.
But you're better off for it because now you know that there's room for improvement and that what needs improving on. That's why it's so bad to tell people how smart they are: because then they think "pfft I don't need to learn new things because I'm so smart and good". There's ALWAYS room for improvement and there are ALWAYS new things to discover.
One more thing I ought to mention is the importance of having good friends. Not only to support you but to challenge you too. I had the great privilege of making amazing friends at uni who not only were brilliant people for being there for each other but ones who didn't put up with any sh_t. If one of us was getting too cocky or rude, we'd make damn well sure that they knew they were being c_ck gobblers.
Silly habits, no matter how ridiculous, are really hard to break.
[rebelmouse-image 18352098 is_animated_gif=I do a lot of painting. Every time I paint, without fail, I will lean on a wall I either have just painted or am in the middle of painting either to rest or to take a call or whatever. Every time.
Traveling the world is a wonderful way to not only learn new things, but to adopt new ways of thinking.
[rebelmouse-image 18352099 is_animated_gif=When I traveled outside Canada. I realized that I was book smart but that I didn't have the ingenuity, wisdom, resilience, and fortitude of many people in "third-world" countries. Being smart comes in many forms.
It's important to be open to new ideas and perspectives, and to form opinions based on evidence and data.
[rebelmouse-image 18352100 is_animated_gif=When I realized that my views of others were more arrogant (rooted in my own vanity) versus just being different and nuanced.
Sort of the opposite of college - conformity can be as big a challenge as finding your place.
[rebelmouse-image 18349746 is_animated_gif=When I joined the military. Turns out I'm not even a person.
We all have our buttons. Recognizing them and being open to others is part of how we grow.
[rebelmouse-image 18352101 is_animated_gif=I'm not sure if this is as much smart or a stability thing, but the first time I had an argument with my wife that turned into a full out fight I was really humbled afterward. I really considered myself a calm, collected person but when my buttons were pushed it was like I was a teenager losing my head over some dumb sh_t.
Not being the smartest person in the room is tough, but those smarter than ourselves can be a great influence.
[rebelmouse-image 18352102 is_animated_gif=My second job in IT did it for me though the fact that I was an IT grunt should've been a clue. /s
I met a co-worker who truly was intelligent and it was eye-opening, humbling, and depressing.
Getting a "real-world job" is one of the best ways to learn how to think on your feet, so to speak.
[rebelmouse-image 18352103 is_animated_gif=Yea, getting a real-world job outside of college will humble most people. I knew I didn't know much when I went in, but then when I really got into the work, I was sh_tting my pants at how much I didn't know. Like, how did they hire me if I don't know what I'm doing??
But you learn quickly if you pay attention. Most knowledge in the workplace comes from experience. I can solve problems much quicker now because I've dealt with a similar issue before.
Be careful telling your kids they are the best - honestly is key, and growth and enrichment should always be encouraged.
[rebelmouse-image 18352104 is_animated_gif=I'm gonna go on a bit of a tangent, it wasn't that I realized I wasn't smart, but I wasn't as talented as I thought.
I was very much into reading and writing as a kid and I wrote so many stories. Everyone kept telling me how great my writing was, how I was gonna be a famous author etc. I always asked for constructive criticism but never got anything back; apparently, my writing was perfection. At a certain point, I realized this couldn't be true. So I wrote a short story, put it into an email and told my mom was a chainmail story I found that I thought was really good and asked her what she thought.
She read it and told me it wasn't a good story at all. I was floored. Barely holding back tears I asked her why it wasn't good. She went on to say how the characters were flat, there was no reason behind the plot, and the dialogue was awfully written. It hurt, it hurt a lot. I didn't expect that harsh of a criticism but I couldn't blame her because that's exactly what I wanted. I finally had someone telling me the truth about my writing instead of buttering me up. That day I realized that I was no prodigy writer, I wasn't as talented as everyone kept telling me, and that the world's opinions are harsh when it doesn't care. I realized I would need to work a lot harder than I thought I would to get better.
I don't think my mom ever figured it out and I'm sure she'd deny the story if I ever told her but I'm thankful that I learned the truth.
We can all relate to this. The challenge is, how do we fight back?
[rebelmouse-image 18352105 is_animated_gif=I thought I understood how politics and the world worked, then the 2016 election happened. Learned a lot since then. I had no idea how naive I had been.
Take a look around you and appreciate the work and knowledge required to build and construct our world. It's very humbling.
[rebelmouse-image 18352106 is_animated_gif=When I stopped to think about how hard sh_t is to make. I know playing with toys and objects at a young age or even as an adolescent I didn't appreciate this.
Like just driving around and watching things be constructed, like an overpass. You have to know where to begin the overpass on one side, then you have to start the overpass on the other side, then you have to build all the pillars, lay down whatever base of rebar or whatever to fill with cement, and then I guess pray to whatever you find holy and hope that it all lines up on the other side when you're done. Then you gotta make sure the thing is strong in case it is loaded with cars or even eighteen wheelers. Of course, I know there are calculations done and redone, and probably triple done, but it is remarkable how much engineering goes into something that might seem so simple.
It was only when I sat back and thought I honestly wouldn't even know where, to begin with building something like that.
"I'll never do that again." Simple and effective.
[rebelmouse-image 18352107 is_animated_gif=Two times actually.
When I grabbed an electric fence with two hands because I thought it was off.
When I was staring at the eclipse with glasses then took off the glasses without looking away.
Cramming is a big gamble. It's usually best to sleep before an exam.
[rebelmouse-image 18352108 is_animated_gif=Pulling an all-nighter and expecting to still ace the assignment.???????
Life lesson: pay attention to your surroundings.
[rebelmouse-image 18352109 is_animated_gif=I put away a tractor implement and stepped on one end while trying to put the locking key away and the bar cam back an hit me in the head like when Sideshow Bob stepped on the rakes.
True wisdom is accepting that you know nothing.
[rebelmouse-image 18352110 is_animated_gif=My dad was the smartest person I've ever known. He was a CPA, but could rebuild an engine, install the "internet" at his company in the 90s, and fought the IRS and won.
When I was maybe 10, I saw a piece of paper on the table with a note written on it saying "this piece of paper represents how much knowledge is available to you. How much do you know?" He made a pinpoint on the paper and wrote: "this is me".
I'm 39 now and a Chief in the Air Force. Nothing has made me feel less smart in my entire life. Nothing has made me more humble or contributed to who I am today than seeing that piece of paper.
Have you ever heard of a certain job that people call a career and thought... "PEOPLE PAY YOU FOR THAT?!?!"
All hard, honest work is good work.
And then there is just trash work.
And I don't mean garbage collection, that is honest work.
I don't know how some people live with themselves.
Redditor MrTuxedo1 wanted to discuss the careers they don't believe people should chase. They asked:
"What job do you have no respect for?"
Ticket scalpers. How do you the audacity to say that's a job?
Actual burglars have more empathy.
Disrespectful
"There are debt collectors who call relatives of the deceased to pay off their debts when they are not legally obligated to."
Top_Gun_2021
Shady. Shady.
"Australian Real Estate Agents. Laws don't seem to apply to them. Just as dodgy in sales and rentals alike. Never seen anything like it overseas."
snave_
"I'm in the US, it can vary state by state but my state is pretty strict on realtor laws. Some states require attorney review and there are definitely penalties for being reported for shady sh*t. It does require consumer reporting though."
ilostmytaco
Etransfer
"Where I live, tax info was leaked and now scammers are targeting low income individuals/families (people earning under 30,000 per year) with etransfer scams. I got one the other day that was an etransfer warning that 240$ 'a family member sent me' was about to expire."
SnowyInuk
"That’s disgusting. The scammers know what they’re doing, they know the harm they cause people and yet they don’t care."
surelysandwitch
Should be illegal...
"MLM managers. Not the low level idiots that get suckered into it, they suck too for trying to bring new people into that sh*tshow, but the people who create them know exactly what they are doing and are pretty much the only ones who profit off of it. Should be illegal. Pyramid schemes are illegal. None of them ever get the just desserts except occasionally by vigilantes I assume."
Wereno
I hate debt collectors. Yeah, you calling me one hundred times a week is going to miraculously make money appear.
Animals
"Paparazzi."
VictorBlimpmuscle
"I met Jack Gleeson (King Joffrey from Game of Thrones) at a bus stop in Dublin. Really nice guy but he said he quit acting due to people being nasty online and constant hounding from paparrazi. He's happier now but it sucks that he was pushed away from a career he was quite good at."
goobi94
Scumbags
"The pastors at mega churches whom ask their followers for money for private jets. Absolute scum to abuse others faith for your own greed."
ichancho
"Brian Tamaki is a greedy freaking pig, he takes advantage of so many people who are already struggling. Every time he’s in the local news (which btw is often) I get more and more pissed off at him and his wife. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Tamaki "
surelysandwitch
it’s a thing???
“'Dating Expert.' Sadly it’s a thing. It’s basically a self appointed title that requires no training or qualifications. What’s worse, is that I have a female friend who uses one. It’s very much a blind leading the blind situation."
Mean_Manufacturer_61
"Most of the self proclaimed “dating coaches” I know are women in their late 30s or early 40s who have never been married or had a longer relationship."
ipozgaj
EVIL
"Poachers. Especially big game poachers who purposefully hunt nearly extinct animals from species they know they are on the brink."
"I know there are poachers that come from rural villages who are trying to just put food on the table, which has my sympathy but poachers who come from money and hunt down animals minding their business in most shelters or restricted areas just to put a head on their wall as a trophy are absolutely heinous."
GetterdoneObiwan
I See It All
"Psychic Mediums. Specifically those who prey on the grieving."
JamesDeadite
"I've always found it interesting how many magicians go after people like this. I think it's because they know what it takes to trick people for the art. The slight of hand and mentalism. And they abhor people who use these tactics for such sh*tty purposes."
34HoldOn
I want so bad to believe in psychics and mediums. What say we on that topic?
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The nose is constantly being attacked by odors of the world.
Going through one day without having to hold my breath during a certain point, is a miracle.
Of course, I'm a New Yorker, so I maybe exaggerating for people in the countryside.
What's funnier is odors that are pleasant, that shouldn't be.
Have you ever looked and something and thought... "yuck."
But then you smelled it and it was like... "oh lovely,"
Redditor HappQueue wanted to know what aromas are arousing to the senses that may come as a surprise to many. They asked:
"What smells good but shouldn't?"
For some odd reason I love the things burning. Anything, food, pots, pans. You name it. Weird.
Blow
"Matches/candles on a birthday cake. I remember lighting matches as a kid purely to blow them out and inhale that sweet match-y smell."
semispooked
"guilty good"
"I work at a Chemical plant. We make a highly acidic product that is dark blue, viscus, highly corrosive, and smells exactly like Fruit Loops. It is incredibly disturbing."
Turin082
"Organic chemistry has many 'guilty good' smells. Thiophosgene (sulfur derivative of a chemical weapon used extensively in WW1) apparently smells like meat. Phosgene is used to make polycarbonate, thiophosgene is used to make some sulfur-containing molecules which eventually end up in therapeutic drugs."
HammerTh_1701
I can't huff it...
"Paint, specifically house paint. I love the smell. But anytime I hear that anyone is painting a room or their house, I volunteer. I just love sitting on the floor in a room that's been freshly painted, closing my eyes and just inhaling that slightly chemically, slightly creamy aroma."
Neowza
A Hint of French...
"A fish and chips shop burnt down as couple blocks from work a few years ago. The whole neighborhood smelled amazing for days. Just the slight hint of French fries. Nothing overpowering. It was so awesome. Until I found out someone was trapped in the fire and died."
stevey_frac
Drag
"Race fuel. Instantly puts me in a good mood as it reminds me of going to the drag races with my dad when I was young."
garfnodie
Fuel and matches get me too. And they sort of go together. Interesting.
Just like the Movie...
"The water from the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Mmm, bromine."
Stalkerslovemy
"This is one of my favorite scents of all time, and Disney is very aware that people enjoy it. Evidently it’s a lot harder to recreate than just adding bromine to water."
cash4panties
"black widow".
"There's a chicken wing restaurant near my house that has a challenge sauce called "black widow." The owner claims it to be around 500,000 scovilles. A few years back some buddies and I decided to try them, the sauce was a dark molasses color and smelled almost like a BBQ sauce, no hint of the danger that lurked at all. We each grabbed one wing and it went terribly. I don't know how something so spicy could smell so innocent."
Final-Chapter
Endless Weekend
"Hotel/rented rooms whenever you go on vacation. There's this particular smell that just says 'you are on vacation,' especially on a beach/swimming trips/out-of-the-town vacays."
Yummy_Llama
"Bath and Body Works has a plug-in scent called Endless Weekend that replicates that scent (to my humble nose)."
Exxcentrica
"oh no..."
"Someone you are attracted to's body odors. Anyone else who is slightly unhygienic smells repulsive."
Mini_gunslinger
"I remember back in high school a girl leaned over, sniffed me, told me that I smelled really good, and asked me what cologne I was wearing. I asked if she was joking, and she's like, no, you smell really good. When I told her I had just gotten done with gym class, she gets a small 'oh no...' look on her face and turns away. I think we both had a revelation that day."
user deleted
That Smell
"The smell inflatable things give off. I have no idea how to describe it, but it’s… nostalgic? to me."
crestfxllen
I do love the smell of plastics and inflatables. Ahh....
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At one point in time, we've misplaced things that we've considered priceless possessions.
It's hard to imagine how to go on without the lost object–whatever it may be–but over time, it becomes a distant memory and we move on.
That is until we magically find ourselves presented with this opportunity proposed by Redditor mikehotel288, who asked:
"You find yourself in a room with everything you’ve ever lost in your life. What do you look for first?"
There are necessities people cannot do without.
No More Dry Lips Ever Again
"Gonna be a lot of chapstick in that room."
– camefromxbox
There are things that bring us comfort and are irreplaceable.
Safety Blanket
"My baby blanket. It became tattered over the years—to the point where I couldn’t reasonably wash it anymore—so I had to throw it away a little while back."
"I have heavily regretted that decision. I was really attached to it (hence it being in tatters), but I really wish that I kept what was left of it instead of throwing it away. Just knowing that I’d still have it would be a huge comfort to me."
– Uearie
Sentimental Heirloom
"The pendant my dad had made for me with my grandmother’s engagement diamond. It was 2 carats. It disappeared from a Las Vegas hotel room 20 years ago. It was hidden deep in a suitcase where it would not have been easy to find. It was just GONE. Cops didn’t do anything. Didn’t even come to take my statement. Cleaning lady said she thought she saw an elderly man enter my room. The guy I was with was not sympathetic in the least. Entire situation was f**ked. I’m still so upset about it."
– MaritimeDisaster
Lone Shark
"My plastic shark toy I lost when I was 10. Ain't no f'king way it just VANISHED."
– Guilty_As_Charged__
Not everything lost is tangible.
Tick Tock
"The time I wasted."
– shinyfennec
It Holds Value
"My private key with 6 BTC in it."
– Significant_Mirror19
"I didn't lose one, but I'll check my room for yours just in case."
– Smodphan
Finding Purpose
"The reason I walked into the room."
– Lloyd_lyle
Lost Opportunity
"That one girl i spoke to on omegle lol"
– h-amishh
If only we get to reunite with those we've lost.
The Loved Family Member
"My grandpa."
– Splatty_boi_420
Grieving Parent
"My daughter. She’ll be in my brother’s arms. So I’ll find both things I care to look for."
– SeeTheFence
Missing Mom
"My mom. She died of cancer in 2017. She never got to meet my daughter. I miss the hell out of her and wish she was still part of my family’s life."
– X-Arkturis-X
The Animals That Come Into Our Lives
"My pets that have passed: especially my horse, Blue. It's been 4 years, but it feels like just yesterday."
– Baciandrio
While many of these scenarios are unlikely, the thread gave people an opportunity to reflect on the things that made a strong impression on their lives.
Sometimes, the memories of the things we've lost–whether they are random objects or sources of love–is all we have.
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What's worse than returning home from a night out or a workday and discovering your home was broken into? Being home when the break-in happens.
Home invasions are a common trope portrayed in horror films like The Strangers and Funny Games, and they're absolutely terrifying because they are based on real-life incidents.
Redditor silentagent47 asked strangers to consider this horrifying hypothetical.
"You have 5 minutes to prepare before a guy breaks into your house with the intention to kill you. You can not exit your house. What is your strategy to survive?"
The hunter becomes the hunted, inspired by TV and movies.
Duplicating A Scene
"There was an episode of Burn Notice where Michael puts aerosol cans in the microwave with kitchen utensils and hits popcorn button. I really want to know if this works or not."
– JohnSterlingSanchez
Epic Burglar Trap
"Speed-watch Home Alone."
– pluribusduim
It's about the choice of weapon.
Jump Scare
"I get the vacuum cleaner ready in a certain room, I turn it on as hes about to enter to create a distraction, then I jump out when he's inspecting the noise and bonk the f'ker on the head with the piece of 2 inch steel tube I keep as a weapon."
– BustedBastard
Beware of Dog
"Unleash the Hounds"
– myassonreddit
Make A Weapon
"Duct tape a bunch of knives to the end of one of those tall lamps to make a spear of blinding and then proceed to go sicko mode."
– DubTheeBustocles
Preparing For A Thwack
"Turn shower on, for some reason I have a shovel behind my wardrobe?? So grab that. Wait for him to check shower, whack with shovel. Boom."
– hypersp00p
It's Just A Game
"Corner camp with a shotgun."
– Arrow3619
A Warm Welcome
"Hairspray and a lighter to his face."
– WorkingClassSheep
The effectiveness of these tactics are questionable, but points for creativity are warranted.
Stand Still
"Put a lamp shade on my head and stand in the corner of the room."
– Cannabis_Sir
Make It Erotic
"I turn on all the lights, take off all my clothes, rub butter all over myself, and start a fake conversation on the phone. As soon as he breaks in I say into the phone: 'I’ve gotta go, my next appointment is finally here…”
– FrankieTheAlchemist
Forget The Stairs
"Go to the LIVING ROOM."
– on-oath-never-again
Removing The Element Of Fun
"Draw an X on my forehead and grab a beer."
– Candycoatedmuffin3
And that's why I would opt for living in a commune or apartment complex.
People who own houses are just asking for forced entry.
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