[AStellersSeaCow]

Haha, no way. I've worked with or met a half dozen MacArthur fellows, and none of them were shy about bringing up that fact. You could argue that MacArthur selects for self-promoting geniuses, but such creatures clearly do exist.

[seizethecheese]

Exception that proves the rule.

How do you know if someone you met went to Harvard? They already told you.

[balabaster]

This I've found over the years is more a product of insecurity than of ego or genius. People quick to tout their alumnus or IQ... or indeed any other measure of intelligence in such a manner are looking for validation and acceptance of their superiority because it satisfies their insecurity.

Though, I would have given my right arm to go to MIT earlier in my life, just for access to MITs professors, forget the degree.