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How to make people think you're smart

on in their head that they do not always need to be running their lips. Also, smart people work out complex problems in their head while appearing to do absolutely nothing.

89. Tell a joke nobody gets.

The webcomic xkcd did an excellent example of this: http://xkcd.com/18/

88. Laugh at a joke nobody else gets.

The alternative is to explain jokes such as the example above.

87. Use a pocket protector.

Two things nerds have: brains and pocket protectors. Having the one may imply the other.

86. Always have pens about you.

They can be kept in that pocket protector.

85. Be seen taking notes outside of lectures.

This might be most effective during science fiction films or sitting on a bench at the mall, watching people walk by.

84. Be seen working complicated equations.

If nobody else understands what you're doing with all those Greek letters, they will assume you do.

83. Mutter mathematical formulas.

This will give the impression that you are working on them in your head.

82. Get a haircut like Einstein.

This might be ill-advised, but it will show that Einstein is your hero.

81. Claim to be able to do 2 things at once.

Do not mention that one of the things is breathing, and the other is thinking.

80. Never admit mistakes.

Instead, invent a way to sound right after all (or claim the answer key was wrong).

79. Talk like a robot.

Even just saying forms of "compute" frequently will help.

78. Use the archaic.

Ye olde English is more intelligent sounding than your new American dialect.

77. Avoid, at all costs, the "c" word (cute).

This may be more acceptable than the author realizes, but the more intelligent one is, the less likely one is to gush over appearances.

76. Avoid swearing.

Making your every other word the f-word makes you sound like an idiot.

75. Be able to cuss fluently.

However, throwing out words that bring embarrassment to no one and still are impressive put-downs makes you sound brilliant.

74. Quote philosophers.

"As Plato recorded in his Dialogues..."

73. Be able to quote law.

It doesn't matter law of what. Reciting word-for-word is considered a sign of brains.

72. Ignore the world around you.

Genii are often so wrapped up in their own thoughts that everything else is ignored. Imitating this trait can improve the level of intellect others see you as having.

71. One word: tassels.

Despite the falsehood of the idea, most still assume that high grades are a sign


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