I’d take a nice person of average intelligence over a smart asshole any day of the week.

> "Think about it. Think of the most average person you know. 50% are more stupid than them. And you won't get any value out of speaking to those"

That right there is very telling. They don't know the difference between median and average

> [They] simply can't understand why I'd want to interact with people they perceive as less intelligent than them.

"Who would you have me speak to instead? It’s not like I’m surrounded with geniuses anyway."

Anyone trying to express intelligence in a single dimension has already failed to understand the topic.

> "Think about it. Think of the most average person you know. 50% are more stupid than them. And you won't get any value out of speaking to those"

Possible response: “And yet they’re all still more intelligent, compassionate, interesting, and a better company than you.”

There are many others: “The average person I know is pretty smart. I’m sorry to hear about your family, though.”

Or: “You’re right, I do indeed not get any value out of listening to you. I feel stupider already.”

Alright, alright, let’s actually try to be kind and change some minds: “There are different kinds of intelligence, and everyone has a full life rich in perspectives that we know nothing about. Making a blanket statement that someone we never met is “stupid” is reductive, lacking in empathy, and stifling to our own personal growth. To put it in your terms: What’s the best <relevant tech stack>? The answer is, of course, that it depends. They all have strengths and weaknesses and to be good you must learn to identify what those are. People are similar. If you only hang out with one type of person, you are the proverbial hammer who sees everything and everyone as nails.”