Well, you can't be average if "everyone else" is dumb, because statistically most people are average, or it wouldn't be called average! Therefore, you must be above average.

I know what you mean, though. I don't feel very smart sometimes, especially in areas that I have a mental block toward, such as math (I'm a words, literature, art, and philosophy kind of person.) I read ALOT, and the staggering intelligence and expertise that some people put forth makes me feel in awe and inferior. I don't avoid geniuses out of envy, though. I love being able to talk to people smarter than I am- it's a great opportunity to learn! But then I remind myself that the reason these people are published is because they are above average!

This isn't always true, though. Sometimes I find grammatical and spelling errors in text, and then it makes me angry that these proofreaders get jobs and I know more than they do; I just don't have a degree. Also, I feel angry at myself that someone average has published a book and I've done nothing with my life. So, then I think about my intelligence and wonder why I haven't done anything with my life, and I feel inferior. Knowing you're smart does make you place too many expectations on yourself.

Just think, if 100 is average, and I'm 140, that means that there are as many people as I with an IQ of 60! (or is that the mode rather than the mean? I can't remember. See, I told you I have a mental block when it comes to math!) Either way, the fact that 100 is average is truly terrifying!