{"id":765,"date":"2021-04-16T07:04:16","date_gmt":"2021-04-16T11:04:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/?p=765"},"modified":"2022-07-05T14:58:28","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T18:58:28","slug":"how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Ways on How to Spot a Pseudo-Intellectual, and How You Can be a Genuinely Intelligent Person"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Have you ever talked to someone who had something to say about everything? Someone who likes to start arguments and insist that they are always right, without considering other people\u2019s perspectives? If so, then you might be dealing with a pseudo-intellectual.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What exactly is a pseudo-intellectual? Are there any tell-tale signs or traits? What is the difference between a pseudo-intellectual and a \u201cgenuine\u201d one?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Read on and discover some of the ways on how to spot a pseudo-intellectual and how you can avoid being one.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/use-it-or-lose-it-brain-development\/\">Use It or Lose It Brain Development Principle: 9 Important Things You Need to Know<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/group-polarization\/\">What is Group Polarization? Definition and Examples<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/what-causes-deja-reve\/\">What Causes Deja Reve? A Gift for Prophecy or a Glitch in Your Brain?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><b>What is a Pseudo-Intellectual?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-772\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-vs-intellectual.png\" alt=\"pseudo intellectual vs intellectual\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-vs-intellectual.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-vs-intellectual-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-vs-intellectual-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-vs-intellectual-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prefix \u201cpseudo-\u201d comes from the Greek term \u201cpseudes,\u201d which means \u201cfalse, lying.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One typical example is the word \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pseudonym\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pseudonym<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d which refers to a fictitious name, usually one that an author uses. Another example is the term \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pseudoscience#:~:text=Assertions%20that%20do%20not%20allow,not%20been%20shown%20to%20predict.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">pseudoscience<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d which is used to call a set of beliefs or practices that are only \u201cpretending\u201d to be based on science or scientific methods.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And this brings us to another word &#8212; our word for today &#8212; \u201cpseudo-intellectual.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.merriam-webster.com\/dictionary\/pseudo-intellectual\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Merriam-Webster Dictionary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a pseudo-intellectual is \u201ca person who wants to be thought of as having a lot of intelligence and knowledge, but who is not really intelligent or knowledgeable.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, a pseudo-intellectual is someone who is just pretending to be more intelligent than they actually are. To understand this concept further, let us try to draw the line that separates pseudo-intellectuals from genuine ones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Real Intellectuals vs. Pseudo-Intellectuals: What\u2019s the Difference?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-767\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/am-i-pseudo-intellectual.png\" alt=\"am i pseudo intellectual\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/am-i-pseudo-intellectual.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/am-i-pseudo-intellectual-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/am-i-pseudo-intellectual-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/am-i-pseudo-intellectual-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.collinsdictionary.com\/dictionary\/english\/intellectual#:~:text=Intellectual%20means%20involving%20a%20person&#039;s,to%20understand%20ideas%20and%20information.&amp;text=An%20intellectual%20is%20someone%20who,and%20thinking%20about%20complicated%20ideas.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Collins English Dictionary<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> defines \u201cintellectual\u201d as both a noun and an adjective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a noun, it refers to \u201csomeone who spends a lot of time studying and thinking about complicated ideas.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As an adjective, the term is used to describe people and things related to such ideas (e.g., \u201cThe professor enjoys intellectual pursuits\u201d).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Based on these definitions and etymology, there\u2019s no doubt that a pseudo-intellectual is somebody who only \u201cpretends\u201d to think and understand complex ideas that only real intellectuals can truly ponder on and understand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Notably, American journalist Sydney Harris had written an article many years ago titled \u201c<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/newspapers?id=NWUeAAAAIBAJ&amp;sjid=sY4EAAAAIBAJ&amp;pg=1959,2791952&amp;hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Telling the Real from the Pseudo<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d Through this article, he discussed several differences between true intellectuals and pseudo-intellectuals, explaining that:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">True intellectuals look for the right questions, while pseudo-intellectuals claim to have the correct answers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">True intellectuals are motivated to seek the truth, whereas pseudo-intellectuals are interested in being right or regarded as right.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">True intellectuals are willing to admit that they do not know everything, while pseudo-intellectuals claim to know everything about a specific subject.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">True intellectuals recognize that opposite ideas are not always contradicting, whereas pseudo-intellectuals only see \u201cright and wrong,\u201d or \u201cblack and white.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">True intellectuals never talk down on their audience, while pseudo-intellectuals talk above their audience, aiming to impress them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, Harris\u2019s comparison between true intellectuals and pseudo-intellectuals is pretty accurate. While the genuine intellectual is keen on pursuing a deeper understanding of things, the pseudo-intellectual is mainly concerned about image and making a good impression.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Spot a Pseudo-Intellectual? Signs and Traits You Need to Watch Out For<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-773\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-of-a-pseudo-intellectual.png\" alt=\"signs of a pseudo intellectual\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-of-a-pseudo-intellectual.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-of-a-pseudo-intellectual-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-of-a-pseudo-intellectual-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/signs-of-a-pseudo-intellectual-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how to spot a pseudo-intellectual? Here are some telltale signs and traits:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. The pseudo-intellectual seeks not to inform but to impress.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For pseudo-intellectuals, it\u2019s all about looking good and making an impression. They like to use complicated words and phrases &#8212; <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">even if it\u2019s out of context<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8212; to show off to everyone how expansive their vocabulary is.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When they speak, you can\u2019t help but notice that they want you to be impressed!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. The pseudo-intellectual likes to drop names.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs Sigmund Freud \/ John Locke \/ (insert famous person\u2019s name) said\u2026\u201d is something that pseudo-intellectuals like to insert in conversations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Never mind if they don\u2019t truly understand the actual theory or concept; the mere fact that they \u201cknow\u201d the person\u2019s name makes them smart, too!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. The pseudo-intellectual does not engage in \u201cintellectual\u201d work<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A genuine intellectual usually puts years of hard work into an intellectual pursuit. Take a look at graduate students and research scientists, for example. They are genuinely passionate about their work; always eager to read and discover something new about their favorite subjects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On the other hand, a pseudo-intellectual does not put in the work. Sure, they may claim to have read all of Shakespeare\u2019s original works, citing famous quotes and characters, for example. In reality, however, they may have just read summaries or watched Shakespeare-inspired movies!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. The pseudo-intellectual often interrupts when others are talking.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pseudo intellectuals like to \u201chijack\u201d conversations. They often interrupt the speaking person and leave little room for other people to contribute to the discussion. They want to do this at every opportunity, regardless of the topic.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. The pseudo-intellectual likes to start arguments.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What better way to show off their \u201cintellectual prowess\u201d than by engaging in debates and arguments? Whether you\u2019re talking about politics, religion, philosophy, modern technology, and many other topics &#8212; the pseudo-intellectual is ever ready to \u201cengage.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/bubbly-personality\/\">6 Bubbly Personality Traits That Help Convey Cheer<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/cognitive-maps\/\">8 Things You Should Know About Cognitive Maps and Navigating the Map of the Mind<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/personal-development-questions\/\">43 Personal Development Questions to Ask Yourself for Growth<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Pseudo-intellectuals tend to be grammar Nazis.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During a heated argument, the pseudo-intellectual is bound to run out of things to say. That\u2019s when they start pointing out your wrong grammar, mispronunciation, and other minor \u201cmistakes\u201d that are not related to the topic. Why? Because they\u2019re right, that\u2019s why!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. The pseudo-intellectual claims to know it all.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As mentioned earlier, the pseudo-intellectual always has something to say about everything. They seem to have all the answers, even if they weren\u2019t part of the conversation in the first place.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll instantly spot a pseudo-intellectual if a person suddenly becomes an \u201cexpert\u201d on different subjects when a situation calls for it. A pseudo-intellectual can be an \u201cexpert\u201d on medicine at one point, then becomes an \u201cexpert\u201d economist. Or maybe, an \u201cexpert\u201d sports analyst during huge sports events.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. The pseudo-intellectual deems personal views or opinions as absolute truth.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pseudo-intellectuals usually consider their personal views or opinions as absolute truth. Never mind that there are many other views and opinions out there. \u201cYou\u2019re wrong, I\u2019m right!\u201d is their mantra. To contradict them is to go against the truth because they\u2019re right!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. The pseudo-intellectual is unable to see other points of view.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because pseudo-intellectuals deem their personal view as absolute truth, they are unable to see other perspectives.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During a debate or argument, they are usually too busy thinking of a counter-response rather than listening to a different perspective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To argue with a pseudo-intellectual is pointless; you\u2019ll just be going around and around in circles!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>10.Pseudo-intellectuals are unable to see the whole picture.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most pseudo-intellectuals have what we call \u201ctunnel vision.\u201d They only see what they like to see (i.e., themselves) and cannot consider a subject from different vantage points. As a result, they often fail to grasp the bigger picture and have a limited perspective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know how to spot a pseudo-intellectual let\u2019s discover some of the best ways to deal with them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to Deal with Pseudo-Intellectuals<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-769\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-being-a-pseudo-intellectual.png\" alt=\"how to stop being a pseudo intellectual\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-being-a-pseudo-intellectual.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-being-a-pseudo-intellectual-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-being-a-pseudo-intellectual-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-stop-being-a-pseudo-intellectual-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So maybe you have a friend or a family member who is a pseudo-intellectual. How can you deal with or interact with them? Here are some things that you can do:<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Call them out.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You could go for the direct approach, especially if the person is a friend or a family member.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Be careful with your words, though, as they might not even be aware of their traits.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead of saying, \u201cYou\u2019re a pseudo-intellectual,\u201d point out their specific trait. For instance, you could say something like, \u201cI think you are too argumentative\u201d or \u201cI don\u2019t like it when you interrupt me when I\u2019m speaking,\u201d and make suggestions on how they can change\/improve themselves.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Be mindful of common fallacies.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pseudo-intellectuals like to generalize or oversimplify things just to \u201cdefend\u201d their opinion, which they consider as \u201cabsolute\u201d truth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When you notice them making a general statement, point it out. Explain that things are not always black and white, and there are many sides to an issue. Also, take note of the fallacies they may sometimes use in their discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Avoid them.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, you might find yourself talking to a pseudo-intellectual who simply won\u2019t accept new ideas \u2013 thus making you feel \u201ctrapped\u201d in a toxic conversation. Simply bow down, step out, and don\u2019t engage. Avoid interacting with the person; it\u2019s as simple as that. Otherwise, you would only end up feeling stressed!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How to be a Genuine Intellectual<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-768\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/How-to-Spot-a-Pseudo-Intellectual.png\" alt=\"How to Spot a Pseudo-Intellectual\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/How-to-Spot-a-Pseudo-Intellectual.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/How-to-Spot-a-Pseudo-Intellectual-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/How-to-Spot-a-Pseudo-Intellectual-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/How-to-Spot-a-Pseudo-Intellectual-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0Now that we discussed how to spot a pseudo-intellectual and how to deal with them, we\u2019re left with a burning question you might have in mind:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What if you recently discovered that you\u2019re a pseudo-intellectual yourself? And if you are, how can you transform into a genuine intellectual?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are some things you can do to change for the better:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Never stop learning.\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Age should not be a hindrance when it comes to education. You can learn many things \u2013 personal finance, information technology, business management, language learning, and creative skills such as painting, sculpting, pottery.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you are interested in a particular subject, go ahead and pursue it. Take a class, join a group, and just keep on learning!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Read, read, read.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading is a good habit that not only helps you to relax but also helps you to expand your perspective.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regardless of the genre \u2013 fiction, non-fiction, literature, academic reference \u2013, you will come across new words and new ways of thinking. Reading engages your mind and imagination!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Write!<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Similar to reading, writing helps expand your knowledge and vocabulary. It doesn\u2019t have to be a book \u2013 simply keeping a journal or composing a letter\/article\/essay enables you to practice your writing skills. Eventually, you will find that your writing gets better and better each time.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Try new approaches to work or studies.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Keep an open mind. There are different ways of learning, working, and creating. Don\u2019t be afraid to change!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Change usually leads to learning and growth. It may not be comfortable at first, but intentionally seeking new ways of doing things will definitely \u201cboost\u201d your intellect.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>5. Explore your creative side.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember when you were a kid and how much fun you had doing finger paintings, clay art, and other creative works?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expressing your creativity is a great way to enhance your intellect. Whether you\u2019re into sketching, watercolor painting, sculpting, or other \u201cartistic\u201d hobbies, simply have fun and let your imagination soar!<\/span><\/p>\n<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 40px;\"><em><strong>Recommended Reading:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\">\n<ul>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/superhero-pose\/\">The Superhero Pose: Channel A Better Version of Yourself<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/dont-think-too-much\/\">5 Reasons to Stop Extreme Overthinking and Anxiety<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a class=\"ProsemirrorEditor-link\" href=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/brain-tips-for-great-success\/\">Great Success: 5 Tips to Train Your Brain for Greatness<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[divider width=&#8221;full&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3><b>6. Learn to play an instrument.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Playing any musical instrument requires not only your skill at hand-eye coordination or memorization, but it also requires you to focus and concentrate, too!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, it engages your mind! So, bring out your old guitar, piano keyboard, flute, and learn to play some new songs. Sign up for a music class. Taking up a musical instrument is not only fun and relaxing, but it\u2019s also good for your brain, too!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>7. Exercise!<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exercise is good for your body and your mind at the same time. When you exercise, you start to feel better, more refreshed, and more ready to face your tasks. It results in better focus and greater energy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So be sure to exercise for around 30 minutes a day, at least three days a week. Don\u2019t forget; the healthier your body, the better your mind can perform, too!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>8. Eat healthy foods.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Speaking of health, always be mindful of what you eat and drink.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As much as possible, avoid junk foods and those with too much sugar, fat, and salt. Consume more veggies, fresh fruits, and lean meats, and follow a healthy diet. Also, try natural drinks that can help improve brain function. Green tea, ginkgo biloba tea, cacao hot chocolate, and so on are just a few of the drinks you might want to indulge in!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>9. Travel to new places.<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whenever you can, travel to a new place &#8212; be it another town, city, or even outside the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Travel involves meeting new people, learning a new language, discovering a different culture, and participating in stimulating activities! The simple act of gaining new experiences, facing new challenges, and making new friends will surely expand your horizons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Bottom Line<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-770\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-examples.png\" alt=\"pseudo intellectual vs intellectual\" width=\"1020\" height=\"680\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-examples.png 1020w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-examples-600x400.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-examples-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/pseudo-intellectual-examples-768x512.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1020px) 100vw, 1020px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Whether you like them or not, there will always be pseudo-intellectuals around. How to deal with them is up to you, although it\u2019s always a good idea to know the \u201csigns.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The important thing is that you focus on improving yourself to be a truly genuine intellectual.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Share Your Thoughts!<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I know that there\u2019s so much we could talk about this topic, so why not share your thoughts below?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-775\" src=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual-creativity-mesh-683x1024.png\" alt=\"how to spot a pseudo intellectual creativity mesh\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual-creativity-mesh-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual-creativity-mesh-600x900.png 600w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual-creativity-mesh-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual-creativity-mesh-768x1152.png 768w, https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/how-to-spot-a-pseudo-intellectual-creativity-mesh.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\" data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><u>Disclaimer:<\/u><\/p>\n<p style=\"padding-left: 80px;\"><em>This post may contain affiliate links. Meaning, if you click on one of the product links, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Creativity Mesh.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What separates an intellectual from a pseudo-intellectual? Intelligence, of course. The former are people who possess a great deal of knowledge and insight about a wide array of topics, while the latter use their formal education or acquired knowledge to give an illusion of intelligence. But how to spot a pseudo intellectual isn\u2019t as hard as you might think.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":771,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[42],"tags":[37,12,21],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-765","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-personality","tag-learning","tag-psychology","tag-success","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/765","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=765"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/765\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1146,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/765\/revisions\/1146"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/771"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=765"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=765"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=765"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/creativitymesh.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=765"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}