>>Maybe it's not even possible for extremely intelligent, relatively rational people, to adopt the mindset of people who (by choice, culture, or means well outs

>>Maybe it's not even possible for extremely intelligent, relatively rational people, to adopt the mindset of people who (by choice, culture, or means well outside their control) live more emotional, instinctual lives. Articles detailing the utterly ridiculous behavior or trends of SV make the rounds here on HN regularly so I can't agree that even the smartest individuals on this planet can claim total rationality. Spending $20,000 on a chicken coop when I see folks on BackyardChickens building beautiful chicken coops for $250 and labor?!? And your theory about "smart people" being super aliens compared to "normies" seems to me like more of that weird sort of thinking emanating out of places with smart people in bubbles. the tldr? Smart people get as high on their own supply of wacky theories and "irrational" emotional connections as "normal" people. edit In fact, my personal idea of a true alien genius is Isaac Newton who of course was obsessed with alchemy and esoteric religious practices. Very smart but crazy as a sh-thouse rat.