maxal

That's why you downvoted me? Really? I apologize if I broke the rules of this particular topic, I did not read it up to the beginning, but quite frankly, downvoting was rather rude and unnecessary. I see updates into my thread links, I do not keep tabs of which topics I should answer to which ones I should not. You could have just told me: if someone answers and they aren't supposed to, then it must because they weren't aware they weren't supposed to. The downvotes really weren't a necessity, but I am glad I figured out why they happened.

For the rest, if you feel the ability to drop snarky remarks is the equivalent of high intelligence, then there isn't much I can add to change your perspective. I personally have a very different take on "Kaladin's supposed greater intelligence" and "Navani and Jasnah's constant diminutive of other people's way of thinking". I tend to look at people's actions and ways of thinking in order to determine who has it and who doesn't, independently of the education/schooling they might or might not have had.

Adolin is a lot smarter than he lets on, a lot smarter than arrogant Jasnah/Navani (the one who downright stated Evi was an idiot after spending one evening with her which does not hold the road as both her sons are quite smart while Dalinar certainly isn't) takes him to be, a lot smarter than Shallan is allowing him to be. He certainly isn't on the lower end of intelligence, more towards the average high end which is basically where I put Kaladin. He isn't a genius, this is true, but he certainly is standing above the mere average.

I think, on average, readers tend to make Kaladin be much smarter than he really is: taking general knowledge in a world where most people lack it as a sign of high intelligence when the guy has yet to display any use of it apart from one or two shouting matches with Shallan. Adolin has been actively using the knowledge he does have in order to get to his end goals, he has devised strategies Kaladin would have never thought of, he outplayed his opponents while never taking any credit for it. This is a sign of smart. What he lacks is the drive to actually learn more solid knowledge but I suspect it is linked to society expectations. Need I say Renarin whom is supposed to be really smart has yet to display his mental capacities while unassuming Adolin has been making them look like fools for a whole book?

Unfortunately, convincing other readers Adolin is actually smart is hard. However saying he isn't the brightest light bulb in the set is really downplaying the character: it is the equivalent to state he is a simpleton which he has demonstrated he wasn't. He has had more "smart moments" than most characters we have met and his "less smart" moments are typically instances when he purposefully downplayed his own mental skills for the shake of pretense. For some reason, he isn't comfortable with using his head in a recognizable manner.

There is plenty of basis into the book: every single one of Adolin fights is a prime example. Also his admission to Shallan has he been playing dumb with her because he feels she expects him to be. His interactions with Kaladin talks of someone smart, someone who does not get humor or wordplay, but this happens: not everyone gets those things. It does not mean they aren't smart.

I have deleted the comment as best as I could considering I do not have the ability to actually delete a post.

Happy New Year!

So I downvoted for two reasons, first you violated the rules, and yes I expected the person with more than 4000 posts to be more aware, so I assumed it was deliberate. Second, I was kind of upset by you basically attacking the very first post I made, especially with regard to one innocuous phrase in the middle of an extensive post. I understand what happened now, so will get rid of the downvote.

That said, I don't think Adolin is dumb, but yes, being witty and quick thinking is a sign of higher intelligence. I think we are going to have to agree to disagree. Adolin is probably my third favorite character behind Kaladin and Dalinar, and like I previously said, he is smart in certain areas, but slow to catch on to many things. There is too much evidence in how Brandon writes him to see him on the level of even Kaladin, let alone the real smart people in Jasnah and Shallan. While this isn't an insult to his character, I can see how someone can take it that way.

Sorry that we got off on the wrong foot.