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> because it makes people uncomfortable. They dont want to believe that their own intelligence is deterministic. It's not about my own intelligence. If geneti
by imron 9y ago
> because it makes people uncomfortable. They dont want to believe that their own intelligence is deterministic.
It's not about my own intelligence.
If genetics can be conclusively shown to determine intelligence how long before someone tries again to build a 'master race'?
That's what makes me uncomfortable.
- gragas 9y ago>If genetics can be conclusively shown to determine intelligence how long before someone tries to build a 'master race'? >That's what makes me uncomfortable. "It's undeniably true, but it makes me feel uncomfortable, so let's ban it and lock it away so it can never make me uncomfortable again"
- imron 9y agoIt's more 'lets not research it too much further so no-one tries to exterminate an entire race again, only this time with scientific justification'.
- AstralStorm 9y agoDon't worry, madmen rarely require real justification.
- SAI_Peregrinus 9y agoWhat scientific justification? "Well, because Chimpanzees are less intelligent than humans, they don't deserve to live, so we can exterminate them."?? That's so obviously bullshit it barely even warrants discussion. Inferiority of a species or even individual does not provide any justification for destroying that species/race/individual.
- Magnusmaster 9y agoPeople will value more a life of a human than one of a chimp, and chimps only survive on natural reserves or zoos. That's the fate people who aren't genetically engineered to be smart will face, if they survive.
- newtem0 9y agoIn the us and many places, you have to take tests to have a good life. Only smart or priviledged people pass them. Whats the difference between a master class and a master race
- imron 9y ago> Whats the difference between a master class and a master race In the US and many places, with hard work and determination you can change your class. You can't however change your race. That's the difference.
- gragas 9y agoI think newtem0's point is exactly the opposite: regardless of how hard you work or how determined you are, your maximum intelligence comes down to genetics, which is something that you can't change currently.
- imron 9y agoMaximum intelligence yes. But you don't need maximum intelligence to improve your station in life.
- aedron 9y agoWhich intelligence test do you have to pass to have a good life? I am not aware of such a test, unless you believe that, to have a good life, you must make a lot of money, which requires passing some exams. Which would be a simple-minded and sad world view.
- cmiles74 9y agoOr, in my opinion much more likely, uses it as an excuse for denying resources to classes of people.
- truthaway12345 9y agoIs it your opinion that it is better to spend resources in ignorance, possibly harming, helping, or doing nothing, than to allocate them meaningfully with full knowledge?
- cmiles74 9y agoNo, of course not. Your implication that this knowledge of genetics could somehow help allocate resources provides a very clear example of my concern. While you may be thoughtful and evenhanded, many people in power are thoughtless and greedy. Others still are racist and sexist.
- truthaway54321 9y agoYou haven't demonstrated at all why ignorance will stop people from being racist or sexist or thoughtless, so you haven't made the case you seem to think you have.
- nanistheonlyist 9y agoI have exactly the opposite view. It is the duty of all humans to create the best possible version of humanity so that we are better able to deal with threats to our survival as a species. We should send our best into the future, or what chance do we have when we meet the aliens?