Do you consider yourself to be better than average?

[AlexEfron]

Studies show that we tend to overestimate our contribution to anything we do. We often rate ourselves much better than we are.

I am curious to know how much. And if it's by a huge margin, then should self evaluation of any form be justified. Or any form of self evaluation is completely useless and we should only consider how others assess us. But that's a question for another day 😂

I think I'm below average

I'm just about average. Easily replaceable. You can find others who can fill in my shoes.

I am better than the average. I'm better than my peers. In experienced, but I have the potential to outshine others and given the proper opportunity and mentorship, I will.

I am way of my time. I am better than people who're much more experienced than me and I think I can do things better than them.

I'm a narcissist

[TheSpaceGnome]

Yes but your answers don't fit the context, I'm not employed by anyone and I don't measure myself based on my utility to others.

Most people are quite dumb, they believe things they can't verify, they consume things without thinking about it or knowing its unhealthy. They don't consider how anything they use works long enough to even care about learning how to make or repair any if it, and they don't try to understand their own body's inner workings, or their local ecology, let alone things like genetics or evolution.

They buy garbage products and have no interest in contesting them, they have sex carelessly and raise kids without preperation or proper finances. They get drunk, or high, or otherwise sick from bad habits. They buy into religion and herd mentality instead of logic and critical thinking.

Most people set the bar very low, most people are not scientists, artists, writers, or engineers. Most people lack what should be common sense. Most people think voting works, or that our current way of living makes sense. Most people are overly dependant on technology to do basic tasks.

To be better than average is not a feat of genius anymore.

[TheSpaceGnome]

Also, within your context of skills and employment, you should have put answer options for people who are in fact better and more experienced than the average person at some or many things.

[TheSpaceGnome]

As far as I go, I'm better at science research, art, video games, critical thinking, problem solving, detective work, and wild animal care than the average person.

[AaronKrieger]

Depends in what regard, since some things I am definitely better than average at while for other things I am worse or average.

[AlexEfron]

What things?

[AaronKrieger]

Cinematography, lighting, game design, awareness, chess, my memory, patience, and things like that I am above average.

For things like my intelligence, math, puzzles, essays, body coordination, and that sort of thing I am average or bad at.

[mandyfire98]

Overall? Like I'm not rich, I do well enough to be comfortable and not financially stressed, I have a lot of friends so I'm doing well there. I run a successful business I started, I consider that a nice accomplishment at 25 years old. I have 2 relationships instead of one, is that above average? 😂 I'm in really great shape, I'm healthy and workout a lot.

In the grand scheme of things though, I'm probably average overall.

[AlexEfron]

I would consider than above average.
😂 If I could have some of what you have, I'd take the friends, and great shape/health from you. I'm 25 too, but my health has deteriorated drastically since 2022. And of course, I want to be financially well off too. But I'm greedy 🤣. I know I'll never be satisfied with myself

[mandyfire98]

I'm sorry to hear about your health struggles

[AlexEfron]

I'm working on myself 💪

[mandyfire98]

I'm glad you're focusing on your health. At the end of the day it's the most important thing.

[IslaTheWitch]

I don't compare myself... being autistic would put me under any human being able to do social interactions... I don't hate myself :D

[AlexEfron]

How is it different though? I'm sorry for being ignorant, but how exactly does autism impede your day to day activities? I know that autistic people tend to lose concentration quickly and can't focus on one thing for long. Might be wrong. But my knowledge in this is very limited

[IslaTheWitch]

losing concentration is rather ADHD, which very often comes together with autism...

in general, autistic people perceive reality differently (partially because of small differences in brain build) and differently process information, so output is different also. Most autistic people don't understand sarcasm, can't read between the lines, and don't get humor... there could be problems with synchronization in conversation during social interactions, which gives the effect of a too loud or too soft voice, laughing out of place, etc...

It makes social interactions sometimes impossible... other people feel awkward

being autistic also means we are very sensitive to many different things starting from noises, quite often not audible to other people, smells, touch, invading a personal space (especially in crowded places), emotions, etc. It leads to sensory overload and often makes us react on "auto-pilot" level... Autistic people need space to rest, to recharge, space and time without other people...

for me it's easier, as my emotions weren't affected by autism, so I have a general understanding and feeling of the room.. but I still feel very uncomfortable with people around me. I can't predict their actions, can't guess what they really think when they approach me. So I'm rather closed off, just observing from afar. I also work fully remotely, in an asynchronous way, which minimizes the risk of unpredicted interaction. But still, after a day full of meetings, even online and with my cam off, I'm exhausted. I need an hour or two just to be with myself.

[AlexEfron]

So it doesn't necessarily hold you back when it comes to normal functioning and skills/abilities. It's only how you process and react to whatever is happening around you?

[IslaTheWitch]

for me personally, it mainly affects my social interactions. I'm able to interact, but I have years of therapy behind me, and I still feel uncomfortable around people I don't know... And I still react not adequately... fortunately, it doesn't happen very often. I function well in structured environments and as a software engineer, I'm lucky, as every tech department has rules people follow :D

my learning skills are not affected, but many autistic people have problems with learning.

[AlexEfron]

I see 🤔

[Chazmatazz269]

Not gonna link these supposed “studies”?
In that case, i’m the second best there’s ever been.
Ell oh ell!

[AlexEfron]

No no. Not studies. Overall. Physical skills. Dexterity. Intelligence. Creativity and problem solving skills. Anything that is useful 😅

[DrPepper12]

Academicaly I have objective evidence to back it up. I find it difficult to find people who can hold a conversation with depth and diversity as well as I can. Narcissist? No. Arrogance? Possibly.

[AlexEfron]

I think there is a certain degree of acceptance arrogance when you can backup your claims. But if that leads you to looking down upon others, then it might be a problem

[AlexEfron]

Acceptable*

[DrPepper12]

Excellent observation

[NathanDavis]

I do know that I am either and all...

above, below or actually on the average... depends on what we're talking about

never really been concerned with any in specific... I just am, myself

[Phoenix98]

Average I suppose, I'm not really one to brag and am in general fairly humble when it comes to things I've done.