7 topics people with low-intelligence often bring up without realizing how they come across

by Lachlan Brown | May 5, 2026, 9:48 am

For years, I found myself perplexed by certain conversations that seemed to go awry.

You know the ones: Discussions that go in circles, conversations that seem shallow or lacking substance, or dialogues where you leave feeling frustrated or misunderstood.

I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and an ardent enthusiast of psychology. I spent a good chunk of my life scratching my head over these frustrating exchanges.

It wasn’t until I delved into the fascinating world of psychology that things started to make sense.

A few years back, I was just an ordinary guy from Australia, working with a professional editing and proofreading company called Expert Editor.

I was constantly interacting with a myriad of individuals – academics, authors, business professionals – and I noticed certain patterns in conversation that left me stumped.

Then it hit me. There were common topics often brought up by people with low intelligence without realizing how they were coming across. 

In this article, I’ll be sharing these 7 topics. My hope is that this insight will help you navigate your own conversations more effectively.

So, let’s dive in.

1) Gossip

Now, we’ve all been guilty of indulging in a little gossip from time to time. But what struck me as I delved into the realm of psychology was the frequency and intensity with which some individuals brought this up in conversations.

Why is this a red flag? Well, according to psychology, excessive gossiping often signifies a lack of intellectual stimulation. It’s seen as an easy way to connect with others without requiring much cognitive effort.

In essence, it’s a surface-level conversation, one that doesn’t require much thinking or emotional investment. And while it may seem harmless on the surface, it can lead to toxic environments and strained relationships.

I noticed this pattern – the more intelligent the individual, the less they seemed to engage in pointless chatter. Instead, they’d engage with topics that required critical thinking and a deeper level of understanding.

So, if you find yourself falling into the gossip trap frequently, it might be time to evaluate your conversational habits. Try engaging with more stimulating topics and see how your conversations evolve.

2) Frequent complaining

As I navigated my way through interactions with different individuals, another topic that often popped up was complaining.

I remember one particular instance when I was proofreading a manuscript. I had a colleague who seemed to have an endless list of complaints. From the weather to the workload, every conversation was dominated by his grievances.

It was interesting to me because this constant griping didn’t just affect him but also had a profound impact on those around him, including myself. I found that after our interactions I would feel drained and negatively influenced.

This made me recall a quote from the renowned psychologist, Dr. Robert Holden:

“Beware of Destination Addiction… a preoccupation with the idea that happiness is in the next place, the next job and with the next partner. Until you give up the idea that happiness is somewhere else, it will never be where you are.”

I realized that my colleague’s incessant complaining wasn’t merely a talking point; it was a reflection of his inability to appreciate his present circumstances.

From then on, I made a conscious effort to steer clear of unnecessary complaints in my conversations, focusing instead on constructive discussions and positive affirmations.

3) Talking about oneself excessively

Excessive self-talk, while seemingly innocent, can be quite revealing.

I recall an old friend who would dominate every conversation with stories about his life, his achievements, and his experiences. At first, I found his stories engaging, even inspiring. But as time wore on, I realized that our conversations were a one-way street.

I’d often leave our interactions feeling unheard and unimportant. It dawned on me that my friend’s constant self-talk was not a sign of confidence or charisma, as I initially thought, but rather, a lack of emotional intelligence.

This realization altered the way I perceived not just my friend’s conversations, but my own as well. I made a conscious effort to balance self-talk with active listening and genuine interest in others’ narratives.

Self-awareness in conversation is crucial. If you find yourself constantly talking about yourself, it might be time to reassess and adjust your conversational habits.

4) Focusing on material possessions

People with low intelligence often bring up is material possessions—they frequently discuss the things they own, the money they’ve spent, or the luxury items they desire.

I used to have a neighbor who was constantly talking about his new car, his designer clothes, and his latest gadgets. At first, it felt like harmless bragging. But as I delved deeper into psychology, I realized it was something more.

A study conducted by the University of Minnesota found that individuals who often discuss their material possessions are generally less satisfied with their lives and have lower self-esteem.

The researchers suggested that these individuals use material goods as a means to compensate for their feelings of inadequacy.

This study really hit home for me. After realizing this, I could see my neighbor’s incessant chatter about his material possessions in a new light.

5) Negative talk about others

Now this goes beyond gossiping; it’s about belittling others or highlighting their flaws in conversation.

I had a team member from my early days at Expert Editor who seemed to revel in pointing out others’ shortcomings. His conversations were often peppered with criticism and negativity towards different people in our office.

Over time, I realized that this constant negative talk wasn’t just unpleasant; it was indicative of a lack of emotional intelligence.

Intelligent individuals tend to focus on constructive criticism and positive reinforcement rather than tearing others down. They understand the value of uplifting others rather than highlighting their flaws.

If you find yourself drawn to negative talk about others, it might be time to reassess your conversational habits and strive for more positive and constructive discussions.

6) Conspiracy theories

I had an old school friend who was always eager to discuss the latest conspiracy theories. From UFO sightings to global cover-ups, he found these speculations fascinating.

At first, I found his theories amusing and even intriguing. However, as I delved deeper into psychology, I realized that an obsession with conspiracy theories often indicated a lack of critical thinking skills.

It made me realize that my friend’s infatuation with conspiracy theories was more than just a quirky interest. It was indicative of his inability to engage in rational thinking and logic-based discussions.

Since then, I’ve learned to approach these conversations with a more discerning mind, emphasizing the importance of facts and logical reasoning.

7) Avoiding deep or emotional topics

Interestingly, the seventh topic that people with low intelligence often bring up, or rather avoid, is deep or emotional topics.

It’s like every time a discussion veered towards something meaningful or personal, they would quickly change the subject to something light-hearted or superficial.

Counterintuitively, avoiding deep conversations doesn’t make one appear more intelligent or put-together. In fact, it often signals the opposite. Engaging in meaningful conversations requires a level of emotional maturity and intelligence that goes beyond surface-level chatter.

So here’s a practical takeaway: don’t shy away from deep conversations.

Embrace them. Not only do they allow for personal growth and understanding, but they also enhance your social interactions and perception of intelligence.

Conclusion

Understanding how we come across in conversations can be a game-changer. As we’ve explored, certain topics can unknowingly reflect low intelligence and affect our social interactions.

But remember, everyone slips into these conversation habits from time to time. The key is awareness and striving for improvement.

Try to balance your conversations. Engage in both light-hearted chats and deep discussions. Listen as much as you talk, and when you do speak, ensure it’s meaningful and respectful.

By doing so, you’ll not only improve your conversational skills but also your overall social intelligence. After all, the art of conversation is a lifelong journey, not a destination.

Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Brown Brothers Media, a digital publishing network reaching tens of millions of readers monthly. He holds a Graduate Diploma of Psychological Studies from Deakin University, though his real education came afterward: a warehouse job shifting TVs, a stretch of anxiety in his mid-twenties, and the slow discovery that studying the mind is not the same as learning how to live well. He started experimenting with Buddhist principles during breaks at the warehouse and eventually began writing about what he was learning. That writing became Hack Spirit, a widely read personal development site, and his book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism became a bestseller. His work breaks down complex ideas into frameworks people can apply immediately, whether they are navigating a career change, a difficult relationship, or the gap between knowing what to do and actually doing it. Lachlan splits his time between Singapore and Saigon. He writes about high-performance routines, decision-making under pressure, digital innovation, and the intersection of Eastern philosophy with modern life. His perspective comes from having built things from scratch, failed at some of them, and learned that clarity comes from practice, not theory.