The flattering explanation is that intelligence creates a permanent need for unusually deep conversation, making ordinary social life feel thin. Research distinguishes loneliness from social isolation, and some studies find that highly intelligent adults combine sociability with a stronger preference for solitude. Frequent socialising may compete with goals that highly intelligent participants value. They still expose the weakness in explaining a person’s social life with one flattering attribute. Substantive conversation helps, but small talk is not the enemyThe claim about conversational depth has support outside intelligence research.