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, 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, Gareth Rees, Giuseppe Corrente, Justin Duplantis, Krystal Volney, Mhedi Banafshei, Paul Cooijmans, Richard May (“May-Tzu”/”MayTzu”/”Mayzi”), Richard Sheen, Shalom Dickson, Thor Fabian Pettersen, Tiberiu Sammak, Tim Roberts, Tor Arne Jørgensen, and Anonymous Ca nadian 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, Krystal Volney, Marios Prodromou, Mhedi Banafshei, Mohammed Karim Benazzi Jabri, Monika Orski, Richard May (“May-Tzu”/”May Tzu”/”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.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Foreword by Benoit Desjardins, MD, PhD

In an era where intelligence is celebrated, debated, and sometimes misunderstood, Some Smart People: Views and Lives 8 offers readers a rare and compelling glimpse into the minds of some of the world’s most fascinating individuals. Scott Douglas Jacobsen, with his keen eye for insight and talent for drawing out deeply personal and intellectual reflections, has curated a body of conversations that transcends borders, disciplines, and ideologies.

This book is not merely a collection of interviews; it is a profound exploration of human thought and experience. Each chapter introduces readers to a unique voice — a psychiatrist delving into abstract concepts, a nuclear physicist reflecting on intelligence testing, a philosopher questioning the meaning of life, and an artist sharing the spontaneity of creativity. These individuals are not only highly intelligent but also deeply engaged with the world around them, using their minds to grapple with some of the most pressing questions of our time.

Jacobsen’s careful approach reveals that intelligence is far more than a static score or an academic measure. It is a multifaceted phenomenon, encompassing curiosity, creativity, emotional depth, and the ability to connect seemingly disparate ideas into cohesive understanding. Through these pages, intelligence emerges not only as a tool for individual achievement but also as a lens through which the complexities of humanity can be explored and appreciated.

The diversity of thought in Some Smart People: Views and Lives 8 is striking. From discussions on personalized medicine and psychiatry to the philosophies of nihilism and the intersection of physics and erotica, the scope of topics is as vast as the contributors themselves. The conversations delve into the intricacies of high-IQ societies, the cultural dynamics of genius, the ethics of intellectual engagement, and the deeply personal experiences of those who have dedicated their lives to exploring and expanding the boundaries of human thought.

Perhaps most compelling is the human element that pervades every dialogue. Behind each brilliant mind is a story — a journey shaped by upbringing, challenges, relationships, and aspirations. Jacobsen has a remarkable ability to draw out these narratives, allowing readers to see not just the intellect but also the humanity of his subjects. The result is a collection of conversations that are as relatable as they are inspiring, encouraging readers to reflect on their own intellectual pursuits and personal growth.

This eighth installment in the series continues Jacobsen’s tradition of showcasing intellectual cu riosity in its purest form. It is a celebration of the relentless quest for knowledge and understanding, a reminder that the pursuit of wisdom is not limited to any one discipline, culture, or perspective. By bringing together such a rich tapestry of voices, Jacobsen challenges us to think more deeply, to question more boldly, and to embrace the complexity of human intelligence in all its forms.

As you turn the pages of this book, prepare to be challenged, enlightened, and inspired. These conversations are not merely academic exercises; they are invitations to engage with ideas that matter, to explore new ways of thinking, and to appreciate the vast potential of the human mind. Whether you are a scholar, a thinker, or simply a curious reader, you will find in these pages a wealth of insight and inspiration to fuel your own intellectual journey. Welcome to Some Smart People: Views and Lives 8. May it ignite in you the same passion for knowledge and understanding that animates the remarkable individuals within these pages.

— Benoit Desjardins, MD, PhD, FAHA, FACR, FNASCI, CEH, CISSP

Foreword by Daniel Shea

There is often a quip that is made of those who associate themselves with any label of above average intelligence: “If you’re so smart, what exactly have you done to show for it?” This question is often asked in poor faith, intended to denigrate its subject, exhort the virtues of prosperity theology, or set the bar so high that none could clear it regardless of their accomplishments. If one were to take a more generous or inquisitive interpretation, the discussions presented throughout this series should provide a most comprehensive answer to the question.

There is another variant of this oft-posed challenge. That is, “What great discovery or revelation has come out of a high-IQ society, anyway?” It is a fair question given the starting conditions and sequence of events: take a double- or triple-digit quantity of people who have crossed a high threshold on an exceptionally difficult test, put them in the same room, have them interact with each other, and see what insights or prose come out of it. Where is the answer to any of the as yet-unsolved Millennium Prize Problems? Where are the Nobel Prizes? Where is the next great work of literature?

Perhaps one lead on such a question can be found in the wide cross-section of interests and beliefs represented across the membership of these societies. Some are primarily interested in the sciences, while others take a greater interest in poetry and the arts. Some are atheists, others theists. Some are politically right of center, others left of center. Some are urbanites, others Arcadians. Standard pattern matching may identify some common passions over others across this cohort, but it fails to capture the picture in its entirety. To some extent, this representation may not be as distinct from society as one may have been led to believe.

Perhaps yet another lead comes from the degree of Balkanization that exists across these societies. The collection of interviews and discussions exhibited in this and prior editions of Some Smart People: Views and Lives may well serve to bridge this divide, highlighting samples of the various memberships for who they are, how they see the world, and where their expertise lies.

For those who find themselves posing the above questions, I encourage you to immerse yourselves in the passages that follow with a keen interest and genuine curiosity. In doing so, you will begin to arrive ever closer to the answers you seek.

Daniel Shea

September 6, 2024

Foreword by Rick Rosner

Scott Douglas Jacobsen, you’ve likely interviewed more high-IQ individuals than anyone else. Your impression of high-IQ people is probably among the most accurate and informed. My own impression is that high-IQ individuals come in the same varieties as everyone else, and this is supported by research to some extent.

Studies suggest that beyond an IQ of approximately 140, additional IQ points are not strongly correlated with greater productivity, happiness, or success. At that level, the cognitive advantages become less significant in practical terms, and these individuals experience many of the same struggles as the rest of the population. Similarly, those with IQs above 140 show the same diversity as everyone else: some are highly capable, some are average, and some are eccentric or even problematic.

Have I encountered eccentric individuals? Not directly, but examples like Keith Raniere come to mind. He was the leader of NXIVM, a fraudulent and abusive organization that also operated as a sex cult. Raniere’s intellect didn’t prevent him from being a manipulative and deeply flawed individual.

There are also high-IQ individuals I would describe as idealistic or perhaps deluded — possibly including myself — but to paraphrase popular culture: “High-IQ people — they’re just like us.”

The media has significant biases in reporting on many topics, and IQ is no exception. When IQ is reported, certain narratives tend to dominate. One common theme is schadenfreude: showcasing a high-IQ individual who is socially awkward, unsuccessful, or unhappy. The subtext of such stories is often, “You may wish you were extremely intelligent, but look at this person whose life is far from enviable — aren’t you glad you’re not them?”

There’s the child prodigy character in TV and movies, like Little Man Tate. With a 200 IQ, they’re capable of figuring out everything except the human heart — pure, innocent, longing for connection to other people. That’s Little Man Tate.

Then there’s the evil genius, which probably shows up more than any other archetype. It’s not always explicitly linked to IQ, but it’s the trope of the super brainy supervillain who thinks he’s better than everyone else. He’s resentful that his greatness hasn’t been acknowledged, so he decides to enact some grandiose scheme — like setting off nuclear weapons along the San Andreas Fault to trigger the largest earthquake in history. That’s from a James Bond villain from about 30 years ago, during the Roger Moore era.

So, there are lots of ways geniuses are presented in media.

I suppose you could argue that a society looking out for its geniuses is also looking out for other demographics. IQ testing was originally developed by Alfred Binet as a tool to ensure kids received appropriate educational resources. It worked on a scale of one to five: if you scored a one or a two, you needed additional support for slower learning; if you scored a four or a five, you needed enrichment opportunities.

America has been failing on this lately because certain political segments, like the Republicans, have cultivated a strategic disdain for public education. They’ve pushed to dismantle the Department of Education and privatize education, redirecting resources from public schools to private Christian schools and charter schools. This approach is terrible, and it’s bad for society.

I’d say a good society is the one we had in the 1970s — not perfect, but there was a major emphasis on public education after the Soviet Union appeared to outpace us technologically during the Space Race. That sparked a nationwide push to improve education. Public education was strong then, and that’s the kind of approach we need.

A decent society looks out for all its demographics.

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