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More Middle Initials Make You Seem Smarter

posted by martyb on Wednesday May 07 2014, @02:47PM   Printer-friendly
from the John-J-J-Schmidt dept.

Angry Jesus writes:

In light of two recent studies, expecting parents might consider doing a little social engineering when naming their children. New evidence suggests if you're trying to convey intelligence the more middle initials in your name, the smarter people will assume you to be.

Also, if you want to be trusted more, use a first name that everyone can pronounce. That effect seems to be in line with another study (not peer-reviewed) indicating short first names correlate with higher earnings.

Perhaps one should combine the two and just use initials for all but the surname, like J.P. Morgan?

 
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  • (Score: 4, Funny) by weeds on Wednesday May 07 2014, @02:59PM

    by weeds (611) on Wednesday May 07 2014, @02:59PM (#40552) Journal

    George H. W. Bush - nope, not better at all!

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  • (Score: 2) by bob_super on Wednesday May 07 2014, @03:20PM

    by bob_super (1357) on Wednesday May 07 2014, @03:20PM (#40563)

    Homer J. Simpson?

    • (Score: 1) by linsane on Wednesday May 07 2014, @07:41PM

      by linsane (633) on Wednesday May 07 2014, @07:41PM (#40650)

      Sounds like he is a lawyer?

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 07 2014, @09:57PM

      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday May 07 2014, @09:57PM (#40708)

      didn't he change his name to Max Power?

  • (Score: 2) by LaminatorX on Wednesday May 07 2014, @03:57PM

    by LaminatorX (14) <{laminatorx} {at} {gmail.com}> on Wednesday May 07 2014, @03:57PM (#40577)

    I dunno, I'm pretty sure that Bush the Elder was way smarter than Dubya, then again, that could just be the extra middle initial making it seem that way.

    • (Score: 1) by GeminiDomino on Wednesday May 07 2014, @05:48PM

      by GeminiDomino (661) on Wednesday May 07 2014, @05:48PM (#40605)

      That's what we call a "low bar to clear."

      --
      "We've been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of our culture"

      • (Score: 1) by Oligonicella on Wednesday May 07 2014, @06:08PM

        by Oligonicella (4169) on Wednesday May 07 2014, @06:08PM (#40608)

        And yet, Obama failed to clear it.

        Anyone can play that stupid game.

        • (Score: 2) by hatta on Wednesday May 07 2014, @06:45PM

          by hatta (879) on Wednesday May 07 2014, @06:45PM (#40626)

          Obama is clearly smarter than Bush. He's not a nicer person, or better at his job, but clearly smarter.