I think, personally, it's important to realize that there are anti-patterns which people use to seem smart, yet which actually waste time, damage relationships,

I think, personally, it's important to realize that there are anti-patterns which people use to seem smart, yet which actually waste time, damage relationships, and make you an asshole. Focusing on being technically correct, when it's not germane to the issue at hand. Don't use minor mistakes people make to try to "score points," by being correct about some fiddly little detail. Being intelligent is not about getting the high score on a technicality. It's about the real issues. Another example: Don't mansplain. Talk to people as if there are equals, not as if you are the ultimate authority, and engage with them. Talk to people, not at people. The person you are talking to may well know more than you. Even if they don't, they are worthy of respect, and giving them that respect will make it easier to communicate with them, and your goal in opening your mouth should be communicating, not enjoying the sound of your own voice. This is especially important to watch for, because of largely unconscious biases that culture gives us, when you talk to women, non native english speakers, and cultural and ethnic minorities, even if cultural minority means: "person who isn't from my state," or "guy who is older and in a suit," That person who isn't from your state may be a celebrated professor in Ohio doing ground breaking research. That old person may have been there when they invented what you are talking about. see http://tim.dreamwidth.org/1890351.html http://tim.dreamwidth.org/1890351.html for more.