Smart People

[elainevdw]

In another thread, I was surprised to hear that people were intimidated by the "Smart People" tag on StevePavlina.com. I thought that maybe it needs its own thread, both because of the reactions people have to it, and because nobody seems to interpret it the way I do.

I think it's empowering. And this is what it comes down to:

When you buy a book that says it's for dummies, what are you calling yourself? A dummy!

Do you really want to go through life labeling yourself as a dummy? By creating a site that's for smart people, not dummies, StevePavlina.com allows its readers to have a shred of self-respect.

And as you'll find in many topics regarding personal development, negative self affirmations -- calling yourself fat, ugly, or stupid (a "dummy") -- do nothing but hold you back.

So don't be intimidated by the label -- embrace it!

For reference, below is part of Steve's reasoning behind using the "Smart People" tag.

Personal Development for Smart People

My favorite marketing strategy is to look at what everyone else is doing and then do the opposite, but this of course can only be done with integrity if you actually believe the opposite is better. That’s why I like the idea of using the phrase “for Smart People” in the title — it positions the other books in this field as being “for Dummies” or “for Complete Idiots.” Personally I’d rather have a lot of smart people as customers than a lot of dummies — this worked very well for my logic puzzle games business. Smart customers are more demanding, but they’re usually a pleasure to support because they’re more capable.

[Angela]

Elainevdw, that's funny! One of our society's taboos: don't raise yourself up too high, or you'll get your head cut off. It's interesting that the Brights are being criticized for their choice of name -- that they're arrogant for calling themselves "bright" which implies that others are "dim." Which is ridiculous, really; people who are not "gay" are not "glum", they're "straight." (or something. you pc purists.)

Maybe we should come up with a replacement for "dummies" -- those who are not "smart" are..... hmmmm, what? "Personal Development for People Who Can't Be Bothered"? Too long. "Personal Development for Britney Spears"? Too judgemental. ahh, how about "Personal Development for Most People"?

[dalante]

Because it is Personal Development for Smart People, I have always wondered how Steve made money through advertisement... Would a smart person ever click on the ads? (or am I making a weird logical reasoning?)

[Steve Pavlina]

The slogan is just a positioning statement. I.e. if this is "PD for smart people" then what's everything else?

The fact that it's a bit odd makes it more memorable. I'd rather have some people not like it than have no one remember it.

[Cron]

While I have found the title to such series slightly annoying, they never bothered me.

Having plowed through stacks of reading where the concepts were relatively simple, but made difficult to grasp by unnecessarily complicated or poor writing I thought the idea behind such series was a good one. That is, give the same information, explain the same things, but do it well and simply.

I try to not to use these books because they are usually too elementary. After reading one I will feel like I have not learned enough and that I want another more thorough introductory book.

[Dating Specialist]

Hmm, this is funny. I've never been bothered by the Smart People tag. In fact I find it enticing and very empowering too!

Guess we're one bunch of men and women with healthy self-esteem ya

[Jill]

I never thought a whole lot about it other than hoping it might keep out the dummies...

But then I remembered they usually think they're smart, so probably not!

[vivling]

Originally Posted by Jill

I never thought a whole lot about it other than hoping it might keep out the dummies...

But then I remembered they usually think they're smart, so probably not!

Hehe, so true!

---

When I first found Steve's site (last summer) I read many of the articles without noticing what the site was called. Then when I read the tittle "Personal Development for smart People" it made me feel smart, because I liked Steve's writing style. It's not like in those typical American self-help books that insult your intelligence and try to explain things like you're a child. I sometimes find it almost painful to read them, because I feel like they're written for idiots.

I like that, for most part, Steve writes like an intelligent person to another intelligent person. Well, of course there is little bit of that "American writing style" in it, but so much that it would bother me as much as most books/sites do

[Matthew Shea]

I've seen what you're talking about on this forum, Elaine, with regard to peole taking exception to the "Smart People" tag. I don't get it either and agree with you that it's more empowering, as if Steve was complimenting you for taking an interest in this site. The only thing that comes to mind to explain those who don't like it is that possibly they're in the midst of a self-deprecating or overly skeptical mindset to begin with and they percieve the "Smart People" tag as being sarcastic and insulting. I still don't get it, though.

[Steve Pavlina]

The "smart people" tag is indeed intended as a compliment to every visitor, especially to repeat visitors. It's not meant as flattery though. I think everyone with a genuine interest in personal growth is well-deserving of the label.

If someone takes offense to it, I guess they're seeing it as some kind of elitist filter that suggests they aren't worthy. The site is freely available to everyone with Internet access -- it's not like you have to take a Mensa test to gain access. The site navigation, while nothing fancy, is fairly straightforward.

[elainevdw]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

If someone takes offense to it, I guess they're seeing it as some kind of elitist filter that suggests they aren't worthy. The site is freely available to everyone with Internet access -- it's not like you have to take a Mensa test to gain access. The site navigation, while nothing fancy, is fairly straightforward.

That's the funny thing, to me. The tag itself doesn't suggest that anybody's not worthy, so that feeling of unworthiness obviously comes from the reader's own insecurity. (Darn straight, Kloudiia -- we are a self-confident bunch!)

And insecure people can read books for dummies!

Cron, I agree that the dummies series does have its purpose. I doubt that the authors meant to degrade people by the title -- it's more of an accessibility thing, like they're reassuring the potential reader that it won't be super confusing. I'm with you, though, I usually want the in-depth, potentially confusing information! It's more fun that way.

Vivling, I'm really curious about your take on American writing! What's generally annoying about it? I'm an English major and editor, so I find the subject fascinating.

[vivling]

Originally Posted by elainevdw

Vivling, I'm really curious about your take on American writing! What's generally annoying about it? I'm an English major and editor, so I find the subject fascinating.

I don't know about other countries, but here In Finland people say "It's so American" when they refer to a book or a movie that is made to appeal the masses and where everything is underlined and explained to such detail that even the dumbest person will understand it.

I think that type of writing has evolved because of the need to appeal to majority because of the huge market. In smaller countries it pretty much doesn't matter how you write because your readership will be small anyway and you're not going to get rich writing books (or making movies) no matter what you do

That's my theory.

[Cron]

Originally Posted by vivling

I don't know about other countries, but here In Finland people say "It's so American" when they refer to a book or a movie that is made to appeal the masses and where everything is underlined and explained to such detail that even the dumbest person will understand it.

I've noticed that! I like to watch foreign films. While I find a number of continental films dull for lack of tight plot and story I find others refreshingly interesting because they don't tell you what is going on like a tour guide in a foreign city. I find it easier to get lost in these films and enjoy them.

I had a Korean friend in high school who commented about how silly he thought that everything he bought in the US had directions on it.

[Kristoffer]

Originally Posted by elainevdw

For reference, below is part of Steve's reasoning behind using the "Smart People" tag.

Well, in another article the definition Steve is using goes (something) like this:

Person: Wow, PD for Smart People. Am I smart?
SP: Generally, if you have to ask.. you are not.

[Steve Pavlina]

Originally Posted by Kristoffer

Person: Wow, PD for Smart People. Am I smart?
SP: Generally, if you have to ask.. you are not.

Person: Wow, a joke. Do I have a sense of humor?
SP: If you have to ask, try some alcohol first.

[Matthew Shea]

Originally Posted by Cron

...snip...

I had a Korean friend in high school who commented about how silly he thought that everything he bought in the US had directions on it.

Your Korean friend is right. Look at any shampoo bottle. Who do you know that really needs instructions on how to wash their hair. If you need those directions, perhaps you have no business using shampoo in the first place.

Also, they have a FULL PAGE of directions posted here at work on how to brew a pot of coffee. It's patently ridiculous. IMHO this is all company lawyers trying to cover their butt and justify their existence, which is really just a symptom of a larger problem of trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator. I'm glad Steve stands apart from that.

[Kristoffer]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

Person: Wow, a joke. Do I have a sense of humor?
SP: If you have to ask, try some alcohol first.

haha..!

[Cron]

Originally Posted by Matthew Shea

Your Korean friend is right. Look at any shampoo bottle. Who do you know that really needs instructions on how to wash their hair. If you need those directions, perhaps you have no business using shampoo in the first place.

Also, they have a FULL PAGE of directions posted here at work on how to brew a pot of coffee. It's patently ridiculous. IMHO this is all company lawyers trying to cover their butt and justify their existence, which is really just a symptom of a larger problem of trying to appeal to the lowest common denominator. I'm glad Steve stands apart from that.

I think those sorts of things are the result of one dumbass out of a million doing something stupid and then winning a multimillion dollar law suit against the company who made the product. The companies are just covering their ass.

[Gene]

Originally Posted by Cron

I think those sorts of things are the result of one dumbass out of a million doing something stupid and then winning a multimillion dollar law suit against the company who made the product. The companies are just covering their ass.

I and I believe most people are smart enough not to drink shampoo or draino and suspect those who are not can not read and comprehend the written disclaimers anyway.

[Reyv]

About the "for Smart People" tag, I think I saw it early on when I was just starting with Steve's blog.

I'm pretty sure my first reaction was something along the lines of: "Wow, someone who's willing to say something like that is definitely worth my attention."

It felt like it was supposed to frustrate and keep out lesser intellectually evolved beings.

Even at the time (and I've grown a lot since), I had no doubt about my infinite intelligence and potential (even though my squishware was far from full of information), and I don't think I even questioned whether the label applied to me or not.