Who are the smartest people in the world? How do they achieve such high levels of intelligence? What are their secrets to success? These are some of the questions that many people wonder about, especially those who aspire to be more intelligent themselves. In this article, we will explore the top 10 smartest people in the world, based on their estimated IQ scores, and reveal some of their secrets to becoming so smart.
What is IQ and how is it measured?
IQ stands for intelligence quotient, which is a measure of one’s cognitive abilities relative to the average population. IQ tests are designed to assess various aspects of intelligence, such as verbal, mathematical, spatial, and logical reasoning skills. There are different types of IQ tests, such as the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, and the Peabody Individual Achievement Test. However, there is no single standard or definitive IQ test, and the scoring methods may vary across different tests and versions.
The average IQ score is set at 100, with a standard deviation of 15. This means that about 68% of the population scores between 85 and 115, and about 95% scores between 70 and 130. An IQ score above 130 is considered very high, and an IQ score above 140 is considered genius or near-genius level. However, IQ scores are not absolute or fixed measures of intelligence, and they may change over time due to various factors, such as education, environment, motivation, health, and age.
Who are the top 10 smartest people in the world?
Based on the available information from various sources, such as web searches, books, articles, and interviews, here are the top 10 smartest people in the world as of 2023, along with their estimated IQ scores and some of their secrets to being so smart.
| Rank | Name | Estimated IQ | Occupation | Secrets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Evangelos Katsioulis | 198 | Psychiatrist | He has a passion for learning new things and challenging himself. He has earned degrees in medicine, philosophy, medical research technology, and psychopharmacology. He is also interested in art, poetry, music, and photography. He is the founder of the World Intelligence Network (WIN), an international organization of high-IQ societies. |
| 2 | Rick Rosner | 192-198 | TV writer | He has taken more than 30 IQ tests and scored consistently high on all of them. He attributes his high IQ to his curiosity, persistence, and hard work. He has had a variety of jobs and experiences in his life, such as being a bouncer, stripper, nude model, roller-skating waiter, bar trivia host, and stockbroker. He also studies for hours every day on various topics, such as math, physics, history, and philosophy. |
| 3 | Christopher Hirata | 190-225 | Astrophysicist | He was a child prodigy who showed exceptional talent in mathematics and science. He skipped several grades in school and enrolled at Caltech at the age of 14. He also participated in the International Physics Olympiad at the age of 13 and became the youngest gold medalist ever. He earned his PhD in physics from Princeton at the age of 22. He is currently a professor at Ohio State University and works on projects related to dark energy and gravitational lensing. |
| 4 | Terence Tao | 185-230 | Mathematician | He is widely regarded as one of the greatest living mathematicians. He was also a child prodigy who displayed extraordinary mathematical abilities from an early age. He entered college at the age of nine and earned his PhD from Princeton at the age of 20. He has won numerous awards and honors for his contributions to various fields of mathematics, such as number theory, analysis, combinatorics, harmonic analysis, and partial differential equations. He is also known for his collaborative and open approach to research and teaching. |
| 5 | Marilyn vos Savant | 185-228 | Writer | She is best known for her column “Ask Marilyn” in Parade magazine, where she answers questions from readers on various topics, such as logic puzzles, philosophy, ethics, and science. She has been listed in The Guinness Book of World Records as having the highest recorded IQ among women. but also of environment, education, and attitude. She advises people to be curious, skeptical, and independent thinkers. |
| 6 | Garry Kasparov | 180-194 | Chess grandmaster | He is considered one of the greatest chess players of all time. He became the youngest world chess champion at the age of 22 in 1985 and held the title until 2000. He is also known for his matches against IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue, which he defeated in 1996 but lost to in 1997. He has written several books on chess strategy, history, and politics. He is also an outspoken critic of the Russian government and a pro-democracy activist. He believes that chess is a way of developing one’s mental skills, such as memory, concentration, logic, and creativity. |
| 7 | Stephen Hawking | 160-200 | Physicist | He was one of the most influential and renowned physicists of the 20th and 21st centuries. He made groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to the fields of cosmology, black holes, quantum gravity, and theoretical physics. He also wrote several popular books on science, such as A Brief History of Time, The Universe in a Nutshell, and The Grand Design. He suffered from a rare form of motor neuron disease that gradually paralyzed him and left him unable to speak. He used a computerized voice synthesizer to communicate and a wheelchair to move around. He never gave up on his passion for science and his curiosity about the universe. |
| 8 | Leonardo da Vinci | 180-220 | Artist | He was a Renaissance polymath who excelled in various domains of art, science, engineering, and invention. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest painters of all time, with works such as the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. He was also a visionary who created sketches and designs for machines and devices that were ahead of his time, such as flying machines, armored vehicles, and adding machines. He had a keen observation and imagination that enabled him to explore and understand the natural world and human anatomy. He was also a lifelong learner who studied various subjects, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, botany, geology, music, and literature. |
| 9 | Albert Einstein | 160-190 | Physicist | He was the most famous and influential physicist of the 20th century. He developed the theory of relativity, which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity, and energy. He also discovered the photoelectric effect, which laid the foundation for quantum mechanics. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his contributions to theoretical physics. He was also a pacifist and a humanitarian who advocated for social justice and world peace. He was known for his creativity, curiosity, and humility. He once said, “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” |
| 10 | Isaac Newton | 160-190 | Physicist | He was one of the greatest scientists and mathematicians of all time. He formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, which explained how objects move and interact in the universe. He also invented calculus, which is a branch of mathematics that deals with rates of change and optimization. He also made significant discoveries in optics, astronomy, alchemy, theology, and history. He was a devout Christian who believed that his scientific work was a way of revealing God’s creation. He was also a secretive and solitary person who suffered from mental breakdowns and conflicts with other scientists. |
Conclusion
The smartest people in the world are not only gifted with high IQs, but also with passion, curiosity, creativity, and perseverance. They have diverse interests, experiences, and achievements that span various domains of knowledge and human endeavor. They are not satisfied with what they know, but always seek to learn more and discover new things. They are not afraid to challenge themselves and overcome difficulties. They are not arrogant or complacent, but humble and open-minded. They are not isolated or aloof, but collaborative and communicative. They are not indifferent or apathetic, but compassionate and responsible. They are not just smart, but wise.
FAQ
Here are 2 most asked questions about the smartest people in the world, along with their answers.
Q: Who has the highest IQ ever recorded?
A: The highest IQ ever recorded is not clear, as different IQ tests may have different scoring methods and reliability. However, some of the candidates for this title include Evangelos Katsioulis (198), Rick Rosner (192-198), Christopher Hirata (190-225), Terence Tao (185-230), and Marilyn vos Savant (185-228).
Q: Who is smarter than Einstein?
A: Einstein was undoubtedly a genius, but he was not the only one. There are many people who have higher IQ scores than Einstein’s estimated score of 160-190, such as those mentioned above. However, IQ scores are not the only or definitive measure of intelligence, and there are many other