People I like the most
Those who don't play the social game.
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I enjoy working from cafes because I like being surrounded by people without having to talk to them.
It's a place where introverts find solace in quiet companionship without the pressure of engaging in small talk.
Many writers, particularly novelists, use cafes as a backdrop for developing their characters.
There, you will find startup founders discussing funding and growth.
Young animators and photographers applying for jobs (bless them).
The affluent ‘old money’ gentlemen talking about summers in France.
Cash-poor intellectuals, rich in spirit (and humor).
Basically, the whole spectrum of society.
Observing these types has got me pondering... what type of people I find the most irresistible.
I’m attracted to silly intellectuals
Intellectuals who are unassuming, unprecious, and silly about it all (their intellect, ego, the world).
By ‘silly’ I mean light-hearted and playful. They recognize that much of what we debate is merely opinion, and in the end, none of it will matter.
There’s a delightful levity that comes with this realization, making such interactions amusing and profound at the same time.
Intellect is important because it allows for more abstract thinking. Intellectual people can digest meaning and ideas quicker, which makes conversations flow better.
For instance, my friend James and I often take long walks in Southeast England, delving into topics like psychology and philosophy for hours.
We dive straight into deep conversations, skipping the small talk completely.
Conversations with him feel like listening to a dynamic, interactive podcast.
We rarely discuss what we did that day (yaaawn), because unless you are Madonna, your everyday life is probably not that interesting.
Then there's another friend, Riina, a linguistics professor who currently works in Paris, out of all places. Riina is refreshingly oblivious to the ‘social game’. She also somehow finds my dreadful singing endearing.
Much of the ‘social game’ takes up an extremely large part of the working capacity of the brain for the ‘normals’.
Smarter people are just too occupied with far more interesting pursuits than pleasing a bunch of cliquers preoccupied with how they come across.
It is very difficult for someone who is constantly creating or innovating to seem ‘normal’ to someone who is only interested in discussing their life or the lives of other people.
Most ‘normal people’ have social goals like status and all the material things.
Intellectuals just can’t be bothered with it all.
Wit is the highest form of intelligence
There are two spectrums of funny:
Dumb funny (aka toilet humor)
Clever funny (quick-witted, observational, insightful).
I don’t really like people who tell jokes (unless they are silly about it, of course).
I like quick wit, making unexpected connections.
It takes a lot of intelligence to be witty.
I like witty people more than I like nice people.
My least favorite, though, are the ‘normals’.
‘Normal people’ are extremely bizarre.
Striving to blend into the crowd with the desperate hope of avoiding the dreaded label of 'different'?
The universal quest for Karen’s nod of approval on the shiny metal acquisition in your driveway? 🤷🏻♀️
And my dreadful singing? I better not.
It's a wild world inside the box!
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What are your favorite types of people? Who do you connect with the most? I’m excited about this comment section.
Like you, I am attracted to the silly intellectuals! It is one thing to be smart, but being too hung up on it makes someone insufferable.
I also like people who don't take themselves too seriously and am really trying to practice myself. Great article.