I know we've had discussions before about MacGyver's IQ level and his intelligence etc.

And I know there was some debate over what we thought his IQ actually was, but something has just occurred to me.

In the program "The Pretender" the opening credits talk about some people are born with such high levels of intelligence that they can very quickly learn enough about any profession to be able to pass themselves off as being trained in that profession.

Now, I've been thinking about how MacGyver seems to be able to talk specifics with any of the experts he encounters in his adventures, as if he where one of them. Doesn't seem to matter what it is, or where it is.. he knows enough to at least keep up with the experts on that topic.

Could MacGyver been a super genius along the lines of that portrayed in the Pretender? or is he just a high level Polymath?

If he was a super genius, I don't think he would've stayed in high school very long let alone that he would've went to college. I think he's just a high level Polymath. He graduated from high school and college and on other matters he said himself in Eye of Osiris, he was kind of self-taught. He knows some things about everything. But those experts... we never know how much more or less they know about it than MacGyver knows.

Self taught people usually study up on a subject before they encounter the experts. I can see MacGyver getting an assignment and doing extensive background research before he actually starts, so thathe is prepared and knows something about the subject. Background research is boring ot watch on TV, so the show"s writers skipped it. We don't see it, therefore Mac looks like a super genius when he starts talking.

I think most things he learned in college and self taught through books and experiences. It is kinda funny though how he always has some sorta idea what is going on and has some background knowledge of it. It would have been funny for just one time where mac had no idea about something as he was talking to someone else. I mean there is a few instances like legend of the holy rose where the women who is a arcieologists and obviously knows more than mac but he does catch on pretty quickly.

And we can always assume he did some research before starting on an assignment. Reading stuff on the plane, studying plans and escape routes.

I've been thinking about this, it could be he just has a "natural talent" for gimmicky things, and has done reading or experimenting with such. I know people like that, they just have an affinity for fixing mechanical things, something, I don't have. I think besides brain power, it's also an "apptitude" for such things

I agree that Mac probably did quite a bit of research before starting his assignments. Also, chances are he's so incredibly bright that he can pick up on just about anything in a hurry.