10 Reasons Why Secretly Brilliant People Aren't Saying Anything

There's a certain myth that brilliant people are always at the top of their game, that they're all like Donald Trump with his hands on his hips shouting "You're fired!" The reality is that not all genius minds are constantly talking. As much as we may want them to, for one reason or another, some secretly brilliant people are just living quiet lives, espousing their thoughts behind closed doors and only to those close enough to hear. This can be frustrating and deeply unfair when you feel like no one takes your achievements seriously. Here are 10 reasons why people who seem to have all the answers aren't saying anything.

1. They're Not As Brilliant As You Think They Are

Sometimes when people are called "brilliant" or show off about having a high IQ, most of us just nod our heads, because it's easier to play along. No one wants to be that guy who thinks, "Yeah, I've never heard of this person before." Or worse, that person who gets judged for not understanding how someone came up with something so amazing. Some brilliantly smart people only want to appear brilliant and don't necessarily want you to know how deep their knowledge goes. People are shy about showing their intelligence because they're afraid of being judged as arrogant and pretentious.

2. They're Not That Interested

Some people who are naturally brilliant just don't find the topics they're particularly interested in all that interesting. They might know everything there is to know about their chosen field, but they don't necessarily care to share it with anyone. They may see the information as a little too personal, and prefer to keep it in their field of expertise rather than sharing it with people outside of their chosen topic.

3. They Don't Want To Be The Expert

Some people who are brilliant and know more about a certain topic than anyone else may not be comfortable being the default person everyone thinks of when this particular topic comes up. They don't want to be the person you automatically turn to when you have a question, and they're hesitant about being the person everyone looks up to as "the authority." They know it might make them seem arrogant or elitist.

4. They Actually Aren't That Smart

In this case, the person being brilliant doesn't actually have an impressive amount of knowledge or power. They might not have the best understanding of a certain topic, but they aren't even close to being as smart as they think they are. They could be simply doing a number on themselves with overblown self esteem and too much admiration for their own intelligence. There's a difference between pride and confidence, so it may not be arrogance after all, but rather just believing your own hype.

5. They're Not That Into It

Some people who are brilliant and talk a lot aren't actually interested in what they're talking about. Maybe they don't find it all that interesting, or maybe the topics at hand just don't excite them. Some people even choose to be a little bit of an extrovert just because it's fun to talk and be the person in the room everyone thinks is super smart, when in reality, they're not all that bright at all.

6. They're In Their Way All The Time

Let's be honest, if you're constantly talking and everyone knows your name because they need you around to remind them of how brilliant you are, then people are probably going to avoid the sound of your voice. There are times that people aren't saying anything because they're constantly in the way. It can be hard to get a word in when you're surrounded by too many chatty people who want to keep the spotlight on themselves.

7. They Don't Want To Be Perceived As A Know-It-All

Sometimes people who are truly brilliant have so much confidence in their intelligence that they don't want to be perceived as a know-it-all. They might secretly respect those who think more highly of themselves than they do, and therefore feel confident in being seen as someone who doesn't know it all. They know that there are plenty of others smarter than them, and it would probably be uncomfortable if people thought that you were the smartest person ever.

8. They're Too Tall Of A Fence

There's nothing wrong with having too high of a personal standard when it comes to your own talents. Some people who are very talented and really smart just don't want to be perceived as arrogant, so they shy away from saying too much about their achievements. They'd rather avoid the conversation, because all the conversations about themselves can make them uncomfortable, especially if everyone is talking about how amazing you are and what a genius you are.

9. They Make You Feel Bad About Yourself

Some people who are brilliant might not say much because they know that many people feel inadequate around them. They're constantly bringing up things that makes other people speak less and listen more, because it's easier for them to dominate the conversation when everyone else is getting nervous and intimidated. They know that people will be asking them questions about themselves, so they might as well just not say anything.

10. They're Not All That Interested In You, Either

Sometimes people who are genuinely brilliant might not want to interact with you, because they don't find your thoughts all that interesting. They may not enjoy saying anything when they know you only have nothing to contribute. They feel like the conversation is less interesting if it's going around them instead of coming straight at them, so they'd rather keep the focus on life itself, and your less-than-interesting conversations about what you did last weekend or what's on TV tonight.

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, it's up to you what you think of yourself and how comfortable you are with talking to other people. You may want to be a little more social and talk to other people almost every day, but if that's not your thing, then you can live your life on your own terms and share precious words only when they're truly needed. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable in any way because they're sharing more than necessary, then maybe it's time for them to shut up so we all can get on with our own lives.