Line #66 Main/IntelligenceTropes


1	->''"The mind, that ocean where each kind\
2	Does straight its own resemblance find ;\
3	Yet it creates, transcending these,\
4	Far other worlds, and other seas ;\
5	Annihilating all that's made\
6	To a green thought in a green shade."''
7	-->-- '''Creator/AndrewMarvell''', "The Garden"
8
9	ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin; this is an index of tropes pertaining to intelligence and intellectuals.
10
11	Contrast with AntiIntellectualism and StupidityTropes. See also GambitIndex, IndexedAndNerdy, LogicTropes and TropesOnScienceAndUnscience. If you are looking for tropes related to "intelligence" in a military context, see EspionageTropes. Tropes that deal with broad-based ''knowledge'' may fall under TropesOfWisdom instead, although there is considerable overlap since expansive knowledge is often used as a way to demonstrate intelligence.
12	----
13	!!Tropes:
14	[[index]]
15	* AbsentMindedProfessor: An intelligent person who tends to be [[CaptainOblivious oblivious of their surroundings]].
16	* AcademicAlphaBitch: The [[AlphaBitch head of the cheerleader team]] is skilled in academia.
17	* AcademicAthlete: The jock is skilled in academia.
18	* ActingYourIntellectualAge: Intelligent children behave a lot like adults.
19	* AdaptationalIntelligence: A character who wasn't smart in the previous source material is given greater intelligence in the adaptation.
20	* AlternateUniverseReedRichardsIsAwesome: An AlternateUniverse version of an intelligent character uses their intelligence to improve the world.
21	* AlternativeTuringTest: A puzzle that a synthetic but sentient or near-sentient being must navigate in order to be deemed "conscious" or self-aware.
22	* AmplifiedAnimalAptitude: Animals with human intelligence.
23	* ArtificialIntelligence: A sapient, self-aware computer system capable of independent thought and reason.
24	* ArtificialBrilliance: Video games programmed in a way that shows that the game is noticeably aware of player choices and actions and/or can adapt to rarely occuring gameplay scenarios in a way that a human would.
25	* AwesomenessByAnalysis: Using observation and calculation to succeed.
26	* BadassBookworm: {{Geek}}s can kick ass.
27	* BlueMeansSmartOne: In a group, the character wearing blue is usually TheSmartGuy.
28	* BookDumb: Incompetent when it comes to academics, but skilled in {{street smart}}s.
29	* BookshelfOfAuthority: Posing a character in front of a bookshelf to show that they're smart.
30	* BookSmart: A character is shown as being very academically competent.
31	* BrainChain: Intelligence that ranges from [[ImprobablyLowIQ the dimmest]] to [[ImprobablyHighIQ the smartest]].
32	* BrainCriticalMass: When NinetyPercentOfYourBrain is justified through MyBrainIsBig.
33	* BrainsAndBondage: Portraying philosophers or intellectuals as being into [[UsefulNotes/{{BDSM}} bondage]].
34	* BrainsVersusBrawn: Intellect and strength are portrayed as opposites and contrasted against one another.
35	* BrainyBaby: A very intelligent infant.
36	* BrainyBrunette: A brunette character shows signs of intelligence.
37	* BrainyPig: A very smart pig.
38	* BrilliantButLazy: A character who's smarter than they let on, but is too caught up in more trivial topic areas to apply their knowledge.
39	* CalculusIsArcaneKnowledge
40	* CelibateEccentricGenius: Eccentric geniuses who have other pursuits other than sexual interests and/or romantic love.
41	* CerebroElectro: Electricity is associated with knowledge in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields.
42	* TheChessmaster: Skilled manipulators at making misdirection in events.
43	* ChildProdigy: Children between 3 and 13 who are geniuses.
44	* CleverCrows: Crows or Ravens have wisdom or intelligence.
45	* CrosswordPuzzle: A puzzle where one has to utilize their pop culture knowledge.
46	* CunningLikeAFox: Foxes are tricksters.
47	* CunningPeoplePlayPoker: People who are StreetSmart play poker.
48	* CuteBookworm: {{Bookworm}}s are [[{{Moe}} adorable!]]
49	* DeadpanSnarker: Responding to nonsense with sarcasm.
50	* DitzyGenius: An intellect who nonetheless has areas in which they are inarticulate.
51	* DumbassNoMore: [[TheDitz A dumb character]] becomes smarter over time.
52	* EliteSchoolMeansEliteBrain
53	* EncyclopaedicKnowledge: Sophisticated people who know all kinds of knowledge.
54	* TheEngineer
55	* EruditeOrangutan: Orangatuans are the geniuses and wisemen of the great ape world.
56	* EurekaMoment: Moment of getting a clue that gives a character the inspiration they need to solve a problem or mystery.
57	* EvilGenius: A villainous prodigy.
58	* FeigningIntelligence: A character pretends to be smart.
59	* GadgeteerGenius: A prodigy who has created many scientific gadgets.
60	* GameOfNerds: Intelligence and sports.
61	* GeekPhysiques: Geeks and nerds are either fat or skinny.
62	* GeniusBookClub: A common portrayal of showing that a character is exceptionally smart is having them read classical literature or something technical and science-related.
63	* GeniusBreedingAct: Breeding smart people with each other to create smart babies.
64	* GeniusBruiser: A physical fighter with plenty of brains.
65	* GeniusBurnout: A high intellect but finds themselves going nowhere.
66	* GeniusCripple: A handicapped genius.
67	* GeniusDitz: [[TheDitz A dumbass]] has one expertise in which no one can beat them.
68	* GeniusesHaveMultiplePhDs: Fictional geniuses get more than one [=PhD=] to quickly tell the audience they're a very smart expert.
69	* GeniusSerum: AppliedPhlebotinum that makes a character more intelligent.
70	* GeniusSlob: A genius who is unhygienic and [[LazyBum lazy]].
71	* GeniusSweetTooth: A genius has an especial craving for sweets.
72	* GentlemanAndAScholar: Highly intelligent, educated, and friendly.
73	* GibberingGenius: Geniuses who think and talk fast.
74	* GoodWithNumbers: Mathematic proficiency.
75	* GradeSkipper: Smart kids are allowed to advance to the next academic level earlier than they should.
76	* GuileHero: TheHero relies on their quick wits to save the day.
77	* HotLibrarian: An attractive librarian, an occupation associated with books.
78	* HotTeacher: The educator is sexy and attractive.
79	* IdiotSavant: [[TheDitz An idiot]] has savvy knowledge in one particular topic area.
80	* ImmortalGenius: An immortal character seems to know everything worth knowing.
81	* ImpossibleGenius: A genius's intelligence that transcends the normal and is able to succeed at the impossible.
82	* ImprobablyHighIQ: An IQ level that is so high that it's (probably) not possible for this person to actually act like the way they are in real life.
83	* ImprovisationalIngenuity: Characters with the ability to improvise creative solutions.
84	* IngestingKnowledge
85	* InstantCultured: Insanely sophisticated geniuses.
86	* InsufferableGenius: A character who smugly looks down upon [[TheDitz those]] with a lower IQ.
87	* IntellectualAnimal: An animal has human-level intelligence, but still behaves and lives like an animal.
88	* IntelligenceEqualsIsolation: Intelligent people are loners with no friends.
89	* IntelligentGerbil: Sapient aliens who resemble non-sapient Earth animals.
90	* IntelligentPrimate: Smart non-human primates.
91	* InventorOfTheMundane: Masters of inventing mundane material.
92	* ItCanThink: Objects or animals are implied to have smarts and prudence.
93	* JeopardyIntelligenceTest
94	* LittleProfessorDialog: A little kid with sophisticated vocabulary.
95	* LoonWithAHeartOfGold: An eccentric and unhinged genius who is otherwise a decent person.
96	* ManipulativeBastard: A character who is a genius at manipulating people.
97	* MotherlyScientist: A scientist who views their creations as being their children.
98	* MouthfulOfPi: Geniuses showing quick intelligence through the digits of Pi.
99	* MinoredInAsskicking: Kicking ass when it is necessary and not out of impulse.
100	* MrFixit: A handyman/mechanic.
101	* MyBrainIsBig: A character has a huge head to indicate their intelligence.
102	* NervesOfSteel: Levelheaded characters are able to think and reason while under pressure.
103	* NobodysThatDumb: [[TheDitz A dumb character]] turns out to be aware of their lack of intelligence and states that even they have limits to how stupid they can be and are.
104	* NonActionProtagonist: A protagonist who shows no combat ability, but overcomes obstacles through non-action means.
105	* ObfuscatingStupidity: An intelligent character manages to fake an idiotic ego and/or persona to fool others.
106	* OmnidisciplinaryScientist: A scientist who is knowledgeable in every field of science that the plot requires.
107	* TheOmniscient: The literal know-it-all, and not like the [[InsufferableGenius arrogant ones]] or [[KnowNothingKnowItAll clueless ones]].
108	* OnlySmartPeopleMayPass
109	* OneManIndustrialRevolution: Inventions and tech made by only ''one'' genius.
110	* TheOwlKnowingOne: Owls are stereotyped as wise and intelligent.
111	* PairTheSmartOnes: A couple consisting of two geniuses.
112	* PersecutedIntellectuals: Smart people are discriminated against.
113	* ThePhilosopher: Super-intelligent character who discusses an activity people undertake when they seek to understand fundamental truths about themselves, the world in which they live, and their relationships to the world and to each other.
114	* PrescienceByAnalysis: Being able to predict the future through intelligence alone.
115	* TheProfessor: An eccentric scientist who can make or explain anything the heroes ask them.
116	* TheProudElite: An elitist who has a HiddenHeartOfGold.
117	* ProudScholarRace: A race/species that is full of very smart people, or at least culturally values intellectualism and the pursuit of knowledge.
118	* RenaissanceMan: Talented characters with mastery in a variety of skills.
119	* RankedByIQ: The use of intelligence quotients that are qualifications or 'proof' of having a superiority complex.
120	* RichGenius: A person who becomes rich from their knowledge.
121	* RobotMaster: Characters use robots for their orders, demands, and advantages.
122	* RobotsThinkFaster: A.I.s can think very quickly.
123	* RubiksCubeInternationalGeniusSymbol: Being able to solve the Rubik's Cube is a sign of exceptional intelligence.
124	* SapientAllAlong: Living species are sapient.
125	* SapientEatSapient: One animal wants to eat another, even though they are of equivalent, sapient intelligence.
126	* SapientPet: A pet intelligent enough to be considered as much a person as their owner is.
127	* SapientShip: A ship that can think intelligently, and even interact with the other characters.
128	* SapientSteed: Modes of transportation who are as intelligent (or more so) as their riders.
129	* ScienceFoils: A pair of contrasting characters who function as the team's TheSmartGuy together.
130	* ScienceHero: Someone who uses technology/(super-)science for heroism.
131	* ScienceRelatedMemeticDisorder: Pathologically [[MadScientist insane scientists]].
132	* SesquipedalianLoquaciousness: Using advanced vocabulary to establish your high intellect.
133	* SherlockScan: A character notices a few simple clues and then quickly reaches an impressive logical conclusion.
134	* ShorterMeansSmarter: Short-statured people are portrayed as smarter than [[TheBigGuy those bigger than them]].
135	* TheShortGuyWithGlasses: A short-statured male who wears glasses.
136	* SelfMadeSuperpowers: Scientifically gifted characters give themselves natural powers with intention.
137	* SlidingScaleOfRobotIntelligence: The levels of A.I.: not sentient, animal-like sentience, sentient but without emotion, sentient but without emotion ''and'' a genius, and godlike.
138	* SmartAnimalAverageHuman: In a duo consisting of an animal and a human, the animal is the smarter one.
139	* SmartBall: [[TheDitz An idiot]] [[SuddenIntelligence is given a notable level of intelligence]] in an episode or more.
140	* TheSmartGuy: The intellect of the FiveManBand.
141	* SmartJerkAndNiceMoron: ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin. An [[InsufferableGenius intelligent yet cold-hearted and cruel character]] is paired with a [[KindheartedSimpleton kinder if stupider character]].
142	* SmartPeopleBuildRobots: Geniuses create robots.
143	* SmartPeopleKnowLatin: Geniuses can speak good Latin.
144	* SmartPeoplePlayChess: Geniuses play chess.
145	* SmartPeopleShoot: Higher-intelligence people are better at [[LongRangeFighter fighting from a distance]].
146	* SmartPeopleSpeakTheQueensEnglish: Intellectuals who speak overly posh (even if they aren't from or have never been to the United Kingdom).
147	* SmartPeopleWearGlasses: Glasses are worn by a character to highlight their intelligence.
148	* SneakySpider: Spiders are often intellectual schemers and/or witty tricksters.
149	* TheSocialExpert: Characters who are graceful at social skills.
150	* SouthernFriedGenius: An intelligent person with a Southern accent.
151	* TheSpock: Characters who make logical and practical decisions that might be considered ruthless or cold.
152	* SteampunkGadgeteers: Characters who are skilled at the structure of either {{Steampunk}}s and/or {{Gaslamp Fantas\|y}}ies.
153	* TheStrategist: A character whose primary job is to think up intricate and ingenious ways to defeat the enemy.
154	* StreetSmart: Someone with an extremely pragmatic and insightful mentality applied to dealing with other people.
155	* SuddenIntelligence: A character is abruptly given an IQ boost.
156	* SuperIntelligence
157	* SuperSpeedReading: Similar trait of intellect as superpowers, but with reading.
158	* SurroundedBySmartPeople: An idiot, a crazy guy or an everyman in a group or place filled with people smarter and/or more skilled than them.
159	* TechnoWizard: Characters who are very competent and skilled with computers.
160	* TeenGenius: Teenagers who are knowledgeable, tech-savvy brainiacs.
161	* TemperateBerserker: [[TheBerserker A fighter known for being mindlessly destructive and chaotic in a battle]], yet intelligent and cognizant enough to remain calm and only cut loose in the time and place that deserves it.
162	* TheyJustDontGetIt: People who understand things more than others who simply don't.
163	* ThinkingWheels: An intelligent character is shown to have wheels or gears turning inside his head.
164	* ThisAintRocketSurgery
165	* ToolsOfSapience: Creatures using accessories such as tools are intelligent enough to be considered "people".
166	* TuringTest: A test to determine whether a computer or robot demonstrates human-like intelligence and self-awareness.
167	* TVGenius: Stereotypical geniuses.
168	* UpliftedAnimal: A creature is given the ability to think and communicate with people.
169	* VaryingCompetencyAlibi: A character is proven innocent when they're shown to be too competent or incompetent to do what they're accused of.
170	* ViewersAreGeniuses: You thought that all ViewersAreMorons? [[WellThisIsNotThatTrope That isn't the case here.]]
171	* WarriorTherapist: A warrior who can understand and affect their opponent's psychology.
172	* WeWantOurIdiotBack: A formerly idiotic character becomes smart, and their peers want to change them back for one reason or another.
173	* WeWillAllBeHistoryBuffsInTheFuture: People in the future are well-educated about History.
174	* WiseBeyondTheirYears: Not only are these children and teens have the gift of being {{Teen Genius}}es, but also children who are a lot more mature (emotionally, intellectually, and/or philosophically) than their typical or [[YouthIsWastedOnTheDumb more ignorant]] counterparts.
175	* WorldsSmartestMan: A character acknowledged to be the smartest person in the setting.
176	[[/index]]

Context Main / IntelligenceTropes