Exactly. E.g. this:
"Although there are some downsides to people thinking that I'm stupid, e.g., failing interviews where the interviewer very clearly thought I was stupid"
This isn't just looking stupid, this is being stupid. Why in Heaven's name wouldn't you at least adjust your behavior when you're in an interview?
Acting stupid can be a convenient way to hold up your belief that you're smarter than the rest. Nobody will ever challenge your belief because hey, if they think you are stupid, it's because you made them believe that, which means that they are actually the stupid ones!
I don't change anything about myself when I interview for jobs. I can't even fathom why I would, in this industry (or really any not customer-facing industry, really).
They saw my weird resume - it always gets a comment. It was revised and edited under direction from a retired entrepreneur and CEO who explained how employee employer and employee/employer/HR/hiring managers interactions work "in real life".
They did a phone interview. They called me in. The only times I get the "thanks for interviewing, but" calls is when the recruiter or headhunter obfuscated the job description to prevent poaching and/or losing their commission/bonus and I had literally no idea about any of their stack/business/whatever.
I could just be lucky, I guess, not having to lie or embellish or present a facade.
This isn't just looking stupid, this is being stupid. Why in Heaven's name wouldn't you at least adjust your behavior when you're in an interview?
Acting stupid can be a convenient way to hold up your belief that you're smarter than the rest. Nobody will ever challenge your belief because hey, if they think you are stupid, it's because you made them believe that, which means that they are actually the stupid ones!