4 ms·

This article has some valid observations, but it also says that "There is no evidence to support the idea that the top 1 percent consists mostly of people of "e

This article has some valid observations, but it also says that "There is no evidence to support the idea that the top 1 percent consists mostly of people of "exceptional talent."" Actually, there is some evidence for this. A while ago, I read the book IQ and the Wealth of Nations by Richard Lynn and Tatu Vanhanen. It mentions a few studies looking at the correlation between IQ and income. If I remember correctly, the correlation was 0.3 to 0.4 in all of the studies.

id 11y ago
Not all of the elite are self-made or have a high direct income. I also don't see why the talent of all of them would be "exceptional". Higher than average, sure, if they are self-made they probably had to be smarter than others to some extent and if they are not they were in the best schools and had the best support imaginable.