I recognize it as a bias on my part, but I think in today’s world, any intelligent person is going to be cynical.
You think the News isn’t manipulating you?
You think the government is trying to help you and not themselves?
You think your employer is looking out for you, and that you owe them your loyalty?
A cynical person will answer these questions a certain way. An intelligent person will answer them the same way, in my opinion.
I still run into people who trust that “others” care about them and are looking out for them in today’s world. What brainwashed fools they are.
I see most politicians as the equivalent of the guy running for president in the movie, red.
That’s why I say it’s easier to get elected than to get hired.
You use the word Cynical but I believe the thing we are looking for is also not IQ related but the ability to use Critical Thinking.
I’ve noticed over the past 15yrs at my place of employment, More and More classes being offered to teach Critical Thinking Skills to younger employees.
We seasoned Engineers joke about the Noobs saying they couldn’t think their way out of a wet paper bag. Critical thinking is a lost art in a large portion of people under 40.
I agree with you on all those points and would like to add that in my opinion that the ability to recognize obvious sarcasm is also indicative of a low IQ.