intelligence and division

Why does it seem that those that possess some vast quantity of intelligence, whether it be a general sort of intelligence or a more localized one, feel the need to alienate those that are lacking of it? Why do smart people like to make other people feel stupid?

At the Griffith Observatory with my family we were able to view through a telescope, the planet of Saturn. And with our own eyes, we saw a man that was either a certified astronomy professional, or one who fancied himself one. My brother after two wise cracks, asked a few legitimate questions and the guy went off on a rant that no one but fellow astronomy enthusiasts would fully comprehend. He went off on the status of Pluto as a planet and why it qualified as one using astronomical terms (in this case both large and relating to the science of astronomy) that no one in our group really could respond to besides with a blank stare.

Instantly I thought him a douchebag. One that doesn't know he is one, which is the saddest kind. Sad because there are fewer intelligent people that don't hold their intelligence over another person and use it to unite people instead of creating divisions, which is just what this shmo had done. He had created a division between us and himself, between us appreciating what was happening in the astronomical world, and us not giving a crap and complaining about the parking. Could you dumb it down a shade my friend? We are not as versed in the study and recent debates as to the planetary status of Pluto and couldn't you tell that by our faces, aren't you taught to assume that when presenting information to the general public?

We came to this place to learn right? To be reminded of how very small we are in the universe.

Intelligence and knowledge can create divisions or they can bring people together. When we begin spewing facts and statistics to those in our party that obviously aren't capable of reciprocating likewise then why are we doing it? Just to make ourselves sound intelligent? Better? And to what purpose? We're just growing further and further away. Best to try to out-smart each other with nerdish facts and stats in the comfort of whatever monthly or bi-weekly gathering in person or cyberspace that you and those like you can do without dumbing down your everyday human. Think of the last great debate and conversation you had in a group setting and what made it more lively was when everyone got to contribute because it was a subject that everyone could relate to. It isn't about hearing the two loud-mouthed wise-asses in your group out voice the quiet people in your group on a debate that really doesn't matter except in their minds. You may feel that you got something off your chest, but they might feel that it was at the cost of their time. Because it is THEIR time too, not just yours so you can spout out whatever thing you think is important. Maybe that person went on a trip that is of interest, maybe their family is going through something rough, heck, maybe even that person himself is going through something and he just wants to be heard. But you can't hear over the sound of your voice. And that's just sad.

So the conversation could either keep going in opposite directions, with one of you scratching his head and the other puffing out his chest, or you can be like this guy I heard of in the Bible I think his name was Pablo or something, who became like them, with the hopes that he could get close to them and give them some good news, tell them this really good story about a man and a cross.