15 years ago I thought the Germans were the smartest people in the world
What you are describing is racism - positive racism but racism none the less.
Hating to break it to you, but Attributing ANY group as a whole with positive/negative traits is racism. But keep mincing words - probably the only thing you are capable of?
Incorrect. Racism is the prejudice or discrimination of a person or people due to their racial or ethnic group. Not just any group. So no - attributing something to Germans isn’t racist.
There is only one human race (Racialization)
Racism is still a problem.