I’ve been thinking about this ever since I got my official score report back. We all chase that high score, but does it truly translate into a better, more contented life?
I feel like society puts so much pressure on “being smart” and assumes a high IQ equals success and happiness. But anecdotally, I see a lot of people in the high-range clubs who struggle with motivation, social isolation, or just a general feeling of being misunderstood.
Does the ability to see problems clearly just make you more aware of how messed up the world (or your own life) is? Or does that cognitive advantage genuinely make life easier, leading to less stress and more fulfillment?
Research actually shows the relationship is pretty weak—IQ correlates only about 0.10-0.20 with life satisfaction. Beyond a certain threshold (around 110-120), more IQ doesn’t seem to add much to happiness. What matters way more are things like emotional intelligence, social relationships, purpose, and personality traits like optimism. High IQ can open doors to better jobs and education, but it doesn’t protect against anxiety, depression, or existential dread—sometimes it makes those worse because you overthink everything. Being smart helps you solve problems, but happiness comes from entirely different factors.
Happiness and life success aren’t solely driven by g (raw cognitive horsepower). They are heavily dependent on Emotional Intelligence (EQ), including empathy, self-regulation, and social skills. A high IQ offers no guarantee of a high EQ, and it’s often a deficiency in these non-cognitive areas that leads to the social isolation and motivation struggles you see in high-range clubs.
Getting a high score was definitely a boost for my self-esteem. And sure, some things come easier academically or in problem-solving situations. But I wouldn’t say it’s made me happier overall, and there are genuine downsides that people don’t talk about enough. The smart shaming thing is real. I’ve learned to be careful about mentioning anything related to my score or even just how I think about things, because people can get defensive or dismissive really quickly. It’s like you’re not allowed to acknowledge it without seeming arrogant, so you end up downplaying yourself constantly. And the feeling of being misunderstood. Sometimes I’ll make connections or see patterns that seem obvious to me, but then I realize I’m the only one in the conversation going there.