Jason Y writes:
Well, an auto mechanic or welder might not necessarily have a lower IQ. I guess what I mean are “redneck” blue collar occupations, where the brain isn’t being pushed to the limit, outside of working on a car, or concentrating on the torch..
The IQ of auto mechanics is a very interesting question. Most people think of them as “grease monkeys” and the popular perception is that they are not very smart. They don’t dress like they are smart of particularly act like they are smart. They often look like slobs and are deeply into working class culture that disdains brains. Certainly most of them are not intellectuals in the class sense. However, I was looking at a list of occupations by IQ on the Net and I was stunned that auto mechanic was one of the occupations with the highest IQ’s of all! Your average auto mechanic had an IQ of ~130! It was amazing. I believe they even had a higher average IQ than attorneys!
Then I thought about it a bit and I realized that even though they look like grease monkey slobs, once you get to know them and actually think about them and how smart they are you finally realize that most of the auto mechanics you have known in your life and not only smart but they are wicked smart.
And if you engage them in subjects outside of auto mechanics like literature, political science, politics, warfare, economics, psychology, religion or whatnot, that you would be shocked at just how much these people do know. Not only that, but they are quite wise in their judgements. I remember once I was talking to my mechanic who was a classic grease monkey back at the start of the Gulf War. I think he was for the war, being a redneck, but I had my misgivings.
I was frustrated and I said, “But it’s all about the oil! It’s all about money! This whole war is all about money!”
He shrugged his shoulders, laughed and said, “They all are.”
I asked, “You mean all wars are just all about money?”
He winked at me and said, “Of course!”
That is one smart fucker.
Next time you deal with your auto mechanic take some time to step out of your mental bubble, stop thinking of him as a grease monkey for a minute and try to look at his actual brain and mind and see how smart it is. Ask him some questions about your car’s engine that he is working on. Dollars to donuts the guy is smart a whip!
I have also found plumbers and electricians to be quite intelligent. Not sure about other working class occupations. You may feel free to chime in. A lot of these guys are smarter than you think. They just don’t act like it.