Why isn't Doctor Strange considered one of the smartest characters in the MU?

[Tony Stark]

I've always wondered this. He is a amazing strategist, a Doctor, the worlds greatest magician and the worlds greatest paranormal investigator. How come he's not top 10 in the smartest characters in the MU? Do you think he deserves to be? All opinions welcomed.

[SpiderClops]

I thought he was...

[Ravin' Ray]

He may have been an Illuminati and all, but that little club isn't necessarily synonymous with "top minds of the world." No offense to Namor, but it's obvious he's not one of the latter.

[Tony Stark]

He may have been an Illuminati and all, but that little club isn't necessarily synonymous with "top minds of the world." No offense to Namor, but it's obvious he's not one of the latter.

I know Namor isn't, but I'm asking about Stephen. That group was a combination of power, brains and characters that are willing to make the toughest choices.

[t hedge coke]

How are we judging intelligence here, anyway? Math skills? Mechanical aptitude? Knowledge committed to memory and knowing where to look up the stuff you don't know?

Strange is smart in some ways, but he can be pretty dumb or just about standard in others.

"They tell me you're the messiah, the buddha, the chosen one. You're here to save us all. And, you can't even fly a jet aircraft."

Not all knowledge is equal in all situations, nor all aptitudes when faced with distinct problems.

[Tony Stark]

Can a monitor please change was to why please?

(Mod: Done. Ravin' Ray)

[Ravin' Ray]

Strange is smart in some ways, but he can be pretty dumb or just about standard in others.

I was going to say, Strange may have cosmic awareness, but that doesn't automatically translate into all-around smartness.

[Xalfrea]

We know Strange isn't one of the smartest people out there because he can't heal Aunt May's bullet wound.

[Batarang]

Wan't he a brain surgeon before he had the accident in comics ? he was in the movie (i haven't read any dr.strange comics yet) and Brain Surgeons are geniuses nevertheless.

[Gray Lensman]

I've always wondered this. He is a amazing strategist, a Doctor, the worlds greatest magician and the worlds greatest paranormal investigator. How come he's not top 10 in the smartest characters in the MU? Do you think he deserves to be? All opinions welcomed.

Because when everybody starts becoming 'One of the Smartest' it loses all meaning.

[Wiccan]

Only inventors and scientists are considered Marvel's smartest characters these days.

[MindofShadow]

For Marvel, being one of the "smartest in the universe" usually means

"can you build a deux ex machina out of scrap parts when the plot dictates"

reed, doom, tchalla, stark, banner, beast, pym and company fit that definition

Strange is very very very very very very very smart obviously. But nto really in that "plot device smart" level unless we are talking specifically magic

[KOSLOX]

Strange is certainly a brilliant surgeon, but he was primarily a specialist in his field whereas the other Top Minds tend to be much more varied in their fields and excel in many arenas. That said he is the premiere sorcerer so in those matters he's almost peerless.

[SpiderClops]

For Marvel, being one of the "smartest in the universe" usually means

"can you build a deux ex machina out of scrap parts when the plot dictates"

reed, doom, tchalla, stark, banner, beast, pym and company fit that definition

Strange is very very very very very very very smart obviously. But nto really in that "plot device smart" level unless we are talking specifically magic

Don't forget Moon Girl.

[t hedge coke]

There was a bit not too long ago with Tony telling Strange "Doctor" in his title was a little pretentious. Reed Richards is a doctor and it's not in his name. Etc. Tony has doctorates, but it's not in his.

Strange pointed out Mr Fantastic and Iron Man aren't exactly humble titles to pick for yourself, either.

They all take this stuff too seriously. Strange has bigger things to worry about. Umar. The Nightcrawler. Satannish. His hemorrhoids flaring back up.