Stop trying to ask 'smart questions’

Intelligence isn’t just a personal skill; it’s a social currency. But, as Derek Thompson wrote earlier this year, worrying too much about appearing smart can backfire in efforts to actually gain new understanding. Asking the “dumb” question is often what makes you smarter.

In today’s newsletter, I’ve collected Atlantic stories on the pitfalls of being (or trying to seem) “smart”—and how to overcome them.??

• “Stop trying to ask ‘smart questions ,’” by Derek Thompson. “Can you just explain this to me like I barely know anything about this subject?”
• “Why simple is smart ,” by Derek Thompson. Complicated language can send a signal that a writer is dense or overcompensating.
• “Don’t call kids ‘smart,’ ” by James Hamblin. People labeled “smart” at a young age don’t deal well with being wrong. Life grows stagnant.
• “Why so many smart people aren’t happy ,” by Joe Pinsker. It’s a paradox: Shouldn’t the most accomplished be well equipped to make choices that maximize life satisfaction?
• “How smart people can stop being miserable ,” by Arthur C. Brooks. Intelligence can make you happier, but only if you see it as more than a tool to get ahead.

Thanks for reading!

— Kelli María Korducki

The Last Word

Check out what readers are saying on LinkedIn about last week’s newsletter, “Be kind, and be happier. ”