Do you think two people of widely different intelligence levels can sustain a meaningful relationship, either close friendship or a romantic involvement?

I don't mean that either party is mentally disabled -- just that one hovers around average intelligence and the other tests perhaps 60 points higher.

Obviously, there are subjects that can't really be discussed between them and conversation is lacking sometimes. But, does it matter if they otherwise enjoy each other's company?

Do you mean like dating a teabagger?

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Sic semper tyrannis
~War is Peace~Freedom is Slavery~Ignorance is Strength~ George Orwell "1984"

I figure you are the smart one

Not knowing any details I need to say that firstly there are many types of intelligence so may be you are good in something while your partner may be good in something else.  Plus, people can learn and get better at things.

If you have nothing to talk about then you may not want to waste time and move on.  Or, alternatively, you may base your relationship on sex.  Whatever works for you

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Sasha

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Too many people debate as if the point is to show who is smarter, rather than which conclusion is correct.

Cinderella story is finished by the wedding ceremony ^) Noone knows the end of the story :)

kokosha:

Cinderella story is finished by the wedding ceremony ^) Noone knows the end of the story :)

With the Cinderella story, I see economic and social gaps, not intelligence gaps.

Personally, I find Cinderella to be a bit of a twat. She couldn't escape her bad situation without magic and a man. The prince was probably no prize either. He married a complete stranger -- and quite possibly had a foot fetish. ;)

Leah:

Do you think two people of widely different intelligence levels can sustain a meaningful relationship, either close friendship or a romantic involvement?

I don't mean that either party is mentally disabled -- just that one hovers around average intelligence and the other tests perhaps 60 points higher.

Obviously, there are subjects that can't really be discussed between them and conversation is lacking sometimes. But, does it matter if they otherwise enjoy each other's company?

 

Leah, only if sex is great and the one with average intelligence has lot's of money. 

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AHTOH:

Do you mean like dating a teabagger?

Anton, what has happened to you? Lol....

gtSasha:

I figure you are the smart one

Not knowing any details I need to say that firstly there are many types of intelligence so may be you are good in something while your partner may be good in something else.  Plus, people can learn and get better at things.

If you have nothing to talk about then you may not want to waste time and move on.  Or, alternatively, you may base your relationship on sex.  Whatever works for you

Thank you, gtSasha. Let's say it's hypothetical. Interesting points, especially the second paragraph.

TAP3AH:

Leah:

Do you think two people of widely different intelligence levels can sustain a meaningful relationship, either close friendship or a romantic involvement?

I don't mean that either party is mentally disabled -- just that one hovers around average intelligence and the other tests perhaps 60 points higher.

Obviously, there are subjects that can't really be discussed between them and conversation is lacking sometimes. But, does it matter if they otherwise enjoy each other's company?

 

Leah, only if sex is great and the one with average intelligence has lot's of money. 

Oh my. What if the sex is good, the finances are similar, and the person of average intelligence makes the other one feel completely safe and relaxed -- and those are two things the other one rarely feels?

if you have to ask, then no. 

intelligence has nothing to do with "being together" , unless you are members of the same math league team.

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- Независимость - это когда в 20-й раз наступаешь на одни и те же грабли, а русские уже ни при чем....

Leah, it depends… What do you want from that relationship? You know, you can actually have both (friendship and romantic) if you and your companion are up to it, mentally. Intellect has nothing to do with it (wow, Kgbman you got just a few minuets ahead of me posting :), unless the more intellectual of you two (and I think it's you Leah) is willing to do more work on that relationship. From my experience (and i am a very shallow man), sex and plutonic relationship lasts only for a few years, and then, no matter how hard you try… the sex appeal is gone. However, there is something new arrives, and if you and yours can realize and deal with that then you have nothing to worry about. You are attracted to each other in a different way from now on… and sex gets to be good and steady too. As gtSasha said "whatever works".   

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I saw the light  

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Sic semper tyrannis
~War is Peace~Freedom is Slavery~Ignorance is Strength~ George Orwell "1984"

Leah:

close friendship

no

romantic involvement?

yes

meaningful relationship

that depends on each person's definition of "meaningful"

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"The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" -Margaret Thatcher

I think the basic answer to Egor's original question is "yes". 

There are many different types of intelligence.  For instance, I have found many highly intelligent people lack a large degree of common sense.  In other words, they are so smart, they don't do the very simple things well.  A relationship between two individuals of highly different IQ's could of course work.

I have found myself highly attracted to many women who lack brains but have other assets I find highly desirable. 

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Make each day count to improve yourself and those around you

I didn't have any questions, that was Leah :)

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"The trouble with socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money" -Margaret Thatcher