At this point in my life, being called intelligent or even well read feels like an insult because to me it's a way to dismiss ideas and arguments I support. I couldn't care less about how what I say reflects on my talent or education, beyond that I am attributed as a source or supporter; tell me what you think of the idea itself. I am no longer a precocious child performing for personal praise.
@freemo
That's a fair interpretation, and I definitely recognize mine is highly idiosyncratic . I just see being called "well read" as the functional equivalent of someone saying, "huh, neat." It signals a social cue rather than indication of interest and desire for exploration
@jump_spider I can see that
@jump_spider isnt saying you are well read a way of saying "you are probably right because you have studied the topic". Is that really a bad thing?