Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): Medium (Personal)

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/05/17

https://in-sightpublishing.com/books/

Acknowledgements

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 1: Manahel Thabet for being the first in this series and giving a gauge on the feasibility of this project, and to Evangelos Katsioulis, Jason Betts, Marco Ripà, Paul Cooijmans, Rick Rosner; in spite of far more men in these communities, it, interview wise, started with a woman, even the Leo Jung Mensa article arose from the generosity of a woman friend, Jade.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 2: Claus Volko, Deb Stone, Erik Haereid, Hasan Zuberi, Ivan Ivec, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Monika Orski, and Rick Rosner.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 3: Andreas Gunnarsson, Anja Jaenicke, Christian Sorensen, Claus Volko, Dionysios Maroudas, Florian Schröder, Ronald K. Hoeflin, Erik Hae reid, Giuseppe Corrente, Graham Powell, Guillermo Alejandro Escárcega Pliego, HanKyung Lee, James Gordon, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Krystal Volney, Laurent Dubois, Marco Ripà, Matthew Scillitani, Mislav Predavec, Owen Cosby, Richard Sheen, Rick Farrar, Rick Rosner, Sandra Schlick, Tiberiu Sammak, Tim Roberts, Thomas Wolf, Tom Chittenden, Tonny Sellén, Tor Jørgensen.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 4: Björn Liljeqvist, Christian Sorenson, Claus Volko, Dionysios Maroudas, Sandra Schlick, Erik Haereid, Giuseppe Corrente, Guillermo Alejandro Escárcega Pliego, HanKyung Lee, James Gordon, Justin Duplantis, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Laurent Dubois, Marco Ripà, Matthew Scillitani, Mislav Predavec, Richard Sheen, Rick Farrar, Rick G. Rosner, Thomas Wolf, Tiberiu Sammak, Tim Roberts, Tom Chittenden, Tonny Sellén, and Tor Arne Jørgensen.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 5: Anthony Sepulveda, Christian Sorenson, Claus Volko, Dionysios Maroudas, Erik Haereid, Giuseppe Corrente, Guillermo Alejandro Escárcega Pliego, Heinrich Siemens, Hindemburg Melão Jr., Jason Robert, Julien Garrett Arpin, Justin Du plantis, Marios Sophia Prodromou, Matthew Scillitani, Mhedi Banafshei, Rick Rosner, Tiberiu Sammak, Tor Arne Jørgensen, and Veronica Palladino.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 6: Anas El-Husseini, Andrew Watters, Anthony Sepul veda, Arturo Escorza Pedraza, Beatrice Rescazzi, Bob Williams, Byunghyun Ban (반병현), Cas per Tvede Busk, Charles Peden, Craig Shelton, Christian Sorensen, Claus Volko, Erik Haereid, Giuseppe Corrente, Justin Duplantis, Krystal Volney, Mhedi Banafshei, Paul Cooijmans, Rich ard May (“May-Tzu”/”MayTzu”/”Mayzi”), Richard Sheen, Shalom Dickson, Thor Fabian Petter sen, Tiberiu Sammak, Tim Roberts, Tor Arne Jørgensen, and Anonymous Canadian High-IQ Community Member.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 7: Anas El Husseini, Aníbal Sánchez Numa, Anthony Sepulveda (Brown), Anja Jaenicke, Beatrice Rescazzi, Bîrlea Cristian, Bob Williams, Christian Sorensen, Clelia Albano, Eivind Olsen, Erik Haereid, Gernot Feichter, Giuseppe Corrente, Glia Society Member #479, Graham Powell, Hakan E. Kayioglu, Heinrich Siemens, Justin Duplantis,

Kishan Harrysingh, Kirk Kirkpatrick, Marios Prodromou, Mhedi Banafshei, Mohammed Karim

Some Smart People: Views and Lives 11

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Benazzi Jabri, Monika Orski, Richard May (“May-Tzu”/”MayTzu”/”Mayzi”), Sandra Schlick, Tiberiu Nicolas Sammak, and Tor Arne Jørgensen.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 8: Anthony Sepulveda, Anja Jaenicke, Antjuan Finch, Benoit Desjardins, Bishoy Goubran, Bob Williams, Charles Peden, Chris Cole, Christopher Har ding, Christian Sorensen, Daniel Shea, Dong Geon Lee, Eivind Olsen, Entemake Aman (阿曼), Erik Haereid, Gareth Rees, Gary Whitehall, Glenn Alden, Jiwhan (Jason) Park, Luca Fiorani,

Masaaki Yamauchi, Masaaki Yamauchi, Matthew Scillitani, Michael Isom, Olav Hoel Dørum, Paul Cooijmans, Richard May, Rick Rosner, Rickard Sagirbay, Shalom Dickson, Sudarshan Murthy, Svein Olav Glesaaen Nyberg, Tim Roberts, and Tor Arne Jørgensen.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 9: Anthony Sepulveda (Brown), Antjuan Finch, Benoit Desjardins, Bob Williams, Christopher Angus, Clelia Albano, Craig Shelton, Daniel Hilton, Donald Wayne Stoner, Dong Geon Lee, Dr. Benoit Desjardins, Eivind Olsen, Erik Haereid, Gareth Rees, Hiroshi Murasaki, LaRae Bakerink, Luca Fiorani, Michael Baker, Paul Cooijmans, Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, Richard May (“May-Tzu”/”MayTzu”/”Mayzi”), Rick Rosner, Simon Olling Rebsdorf, Sudarshan Murthy, Tor Arne Jørgensen, and Uwe Michael Neumann.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 10: Anthony Sepulveda (Brown), Bob Williams, Chris Cole, Entemake Aman (阿曼), Erik Haereid, Eivind Olsen, Gernot Feichter, Graham Powell, Harry Royalster, Iakovos Koukas, Larae Bakerink, Paul Cooijmans, Richard May (“May Tzu”/”MayTzu”/”Mayzi”), Rick Rosner, Scott Durgin, Tor Arne Jørgensen, and Uwe Michael Neumann.

For Some Smart People: Views and Lives 11: Brandon Feick, Chris Cole, David Miller, Dr. Be noit Desjardins, M.D., Ph.D., Dr. Ricardo Rosselló Nevares, Entemake Aman (阿曼), Hindem burg Melão Jr., Justin Duplantis, Kate Jones, Masaaki Yamauchi, Matthew Scillitani, Michael

Isom, Richard May (“May-Tzu”/”MayTzu”/”Mayzi”), Rick Rosner, Tianxi Yu (余天曦), Tomáš Perna, Tor Arne Jørgensen, Uwe Michael Neumann, and Veronica Palladino.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Foreword by Olav Hoel Dørum

I have always liked to imagine things. From what it would be like to live as a craftsman in the 16th century, to live in a country with a different culture, like Japan or Brazil, or the direction our society will take in the future. From scientific possibilities to how we would choose to organize ourselves. While there are several thought-provoking novels, they are often rooted in established scientific principles and are a continuation of our current political direction. There are only a finite number of truths to learn about the Universe, which is all intertwined one way or the other. The biggest difference in perspectives can be found between philosophies and cultures, with their own unique perspective on ourselves, and how we should approach and make sense of the world around us.

One of my favorite quotes is from the comic-book series “Sandman” by the British author Neil Gaiman: “Everybody has a secret world inside of them. All of the people of the world, I mean everybody. No matter how dull and boring they are on the outside, inside them they’ve all got unimaginable, magnificent, wonderful, stupid, amazing worlds. Not just one world. Hundreds of them. Thousands maybe.”

This quote resonates with me because it highlights the incredible diversity of human experience, something that Mr. Scott’s interviews so vividly capture. Our most unique trait is that is only one of us. There is only one person in the world with your neurological wiring, personality and experiences. Mr. Scott’s interviews explore people with vastly different academic backgrounds, achievements, and cultural upbringings, allowing us to understand cultural phenomena, shed light on our common history, or simply allowing us to see different segments of the reality we all participate in.

Each interview reveals a unique bloom in the garden of human experience, with its own distinct shape, fragrance, and hue. Through exploring these diverse perspectives, we gain a deeper appre ciation for the richness and complexity of the human experience, and our place within this ever changing garden.

Foreword by Simon Olling Rebsdorf, PhD, MSc, Journalist, Diplomate & President of the International Society for Philosophical Enquiry

It is a privilege to write this foreword for In-Sight Publishing, an initiative that provides a much needed platform for voices from the neurodivergent and intellectually exceptional communities. Scott Douglas Jacobsen has dedicated himself to capturing the diverse experiences and perspec tives of highly intelligent individuals, regardless of their background, age, or accomplishments.

What sets In-Sight Publishing apart is its inclusivity and its commitment to offering a space where all perspectives are valued, fostering a deeper understanding of both the complex and the everyday aspects of human experience.

Scott’s interviews are exceptional in their ability to move fluidly between technical discussions and personal reflections, providing insight into the lives of individuals who think in unique ways. In a time when intellectualism is sometimes met with skepticism or indifference, In-Sight Pub lishing serves as a bridge, helping to overcome the gap between intellectual discourse and shared human experiences.

When I was interviewed by Scott in 2021, one of the reflections that emerged was on the concept of genius, and particularly it made me reflect on the tendency in some high IQ societies to equate a high IQ score with genius. While intelligence is certainly a factor, I believe that true genius en

compasses far more than just a number on a scale. Genius involves creativity, vision, and often the ability to apply knowledge in transformative ways. It seems clear that simply possessing a high IQ does not make someone a genius, and I feel it is important to challenge this overly sim plistic association. Intelligence is a tool, but it is how one uses that tool to contribute meaning fully to the world that truly defines genius. My interview with Scott helped me clarify these thoughts and deepened my critical approach to the way we think about and value intelligence in exclusive circles like closed high IQ societies.

This reflection is echoed in some of the insightful contributions in this volume. One contributor distinguishes between “latent” and “effective” genius, and another uses the well-known example of Usain Bolt to illustrate that extraordinary talent in a specific domain does not necessarily equate to genius — be it in sports or artificial intelligence. These perspectives enrich the ongoing debate about what it truly means to be a genius.

Interestingly, this critique of equating high IQ with success also resonates with Claus D. Volko’s foreword in an earlier edition of Some Smart People. Volko discusses how people with an IQ above 140 (SD 15) often face more difficulties in achieving high societal status than those with a slightly lower measured IQ, highlighting the limitations of IQ tests as a predictor of success. His reflections add an important dimension to the ongoing conversation about how we define and value intelligence, and readers may find it worthwhile to revisit that edition for additional in sights.

Another contributor critiques the vanity that can sometimes emerge in high IQ societies, linking it to deeper feelings of inadequacy. He, Tianxi Yu, also offers a philosophical perspective on beauty, emphasizing that it comes from acts of kindness rather than mere intellectual prowess. Another contributor, Desjardins, on the other hand, critically examines the limitations of IQ test ing, especially at the higher levels, questioning whether these tests can truly measure the full scope of human intelligence. Both viewpoints resonate strongly with my own thoughts about the challenges faced by members of high IQ communities, like myself.

So, in this latest edition of Some Smart People: Views and Lives 11, readers will find a diverse range of interviews with individuals from across the spectrum of high IQ societies. The contribu tors explore not only the technicalities of intelligence testing and their personal experiences within these communities but also reflect on the broader implications of intelligence in society. From critiques of how genius is perceived to discussions on the practical challenges of being part of the intellectual fringe, this edition offers a deep dive into the minds of those who navigate the complexities of high intelligence. It’s an engaging and thought-provoking collection that invites readers to reflect on the many dimensions of human intellect.

I invite readers to approach this volume with an open mind and a curiosity for the diverse range of ideas presented. Each interview offers a glimpse into the thought processes of individuals who see the world from a unique perspective, and there is much to be gained from engaging with these stories.

Foreword by Tonny Sellén

In Sweden, where I live, I feel that it has been rather quiet about this thing about talent and talented people. The subject has always had a tinge of taboo. So it’s great to see Scott’s work on this and his passionate commitment to the subject and his interesting publications. That I ended up in a world of various IQ tests and associations with incredibly talented people was more or less a coincidence. I have always carried with me a curiosity and a desire to investigate things to try to understand and learn and that is how I found and tried the first IQ test. Not because I thought I was particularly smart, but for the challenge and curiosity. I was also fascinated by the design of these tests and curious about the people behind them. Over time I got to know some of them and eventually created my own tests that I published, including Perspectiq. The response to the tests was generally positive and I made many new friends all over the world to discuss various topics with. At my age (66 years old) I still look for challenges and am almost more curious about things now than when I was young. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Scott for finding me and giving me the opportunity to write you a few lines. There is incredible knowledge, awareness and genius among these people and I really hope it gets a chance to get out into the world and benefit us all. Scott’s work contributes to that and it is with great pleasure that I will follow him and take in all the interesting aspects of the subject, through the publications on smart people.

Foreword by Uwe Michael Neumann

Smart people are very different from what other people expect. Smart people are even very different from what smart people themselves expect at first. Even the term smart people is already misleading as far as it refers to high IQ people. Most people would consider wealthy business people as smart. Or lawyers and medical doctors. Maybe politicians and stock traders. All these people have in common that they are economically successful and possess high social status. High IQ people can be all of that — and the exact opposite. The decisive factor is that high IQ and social, economically and all what is generally considered to be ‘success’ are not congruent. Life is much more complex. There is a plethora of different life plans. You can have an exceptional high IQ without ever managing to have a stable income and be dependent on social welfare. A high IQ can — depending on the circumstances — be even seen as a handicap.

How is this possible? Shouldn’t a high IQ give you the ability to solve problems and to remove all obstacles? First of all, the standard IQ test is designed to measure a limited range of intellectual capabilities. But the IQ test does not measure the ability to manage social interactions, your

communication and language skills or drug consumption, depression and other negative feelings. There are many challenges and obstacles in life that cannot be measured and that are therefore not part of an IQ test. But all of these and many more can impede your way to develop your full potential.

Secondly, humans are herd animals. The average human and the majority of people have an IQ of around 100. So, they rarely or maybe never interact with people with an IQ equal to or over 130 since this group of people is very small. Therefore, people belonging to this group often appear to be strange and awkward to the average person, especially when they don’t possess the generally accepted insignia of wealth, power and status. But there are also often problems with understanding the other way around.

Thirdly, life is chaotic and there is no guarantee for anything in life. Whatever you have achieved in life, there is always an element of luck involved. First and foremost — regardless of your age — you can count yourself lucky that you are alive at all. Many things that could have killed you did not happen. Not because you were following all the rules, or because you are a nice person or you don’t smoke or don’t eat meat. It was just because of pure luck that no car hit you, no deadly disease besieged you, and no one killed you — so far. Also, hardly anybody is grateful to have been born in an OECD-country, but you should. I guess I don’t need to explain that is your life is much easier and better in many ways as if you were born in Afghanistan or in the Central African Republic. You can be at the right time at the right place and you can be at the wrong time at the wrong place. This applies to everybody of course, but also explains why our society isn’t organised according to the IQ levels.

Scott’s Some Smart People: Views and Lives gives a unique opportunity to get some insight into this complex and diverse world of high IQ people. In fact, it is the only project of its kind I do personally know about. It was a pleasure for me to contribute a small amount of thoughts into this amazing project.

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