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"what are you going to do with that information?" Restricting chemicals proved to lower IQ springs immediately to mind.
by emiliobumachar 7y ago
"what are you going to do with that information?"
Restricting chemicals proved to lower IQ springs immediately to mind.
- nordsieck 7y ago> "what are you going to do with that information?" > Restricting chemicals proved to lower IQ springs immediately to mind. Iodized salt is an example of a successful global health program that effectively did just this, but in reverse (promoted a IQ protective chemical).
- asveikau 7y agoThat's an interesting one, because you can say that IQ is a flawed metric or misguided concept, but also agree that (random example) childhood lead exposure lowers IQ therefore let's reduce it. If the metric has any validity at all you can get good outcomes with this even if some details are wrong or imprecise.
- brlewis 7y agoYes, just as you could draw conclusions about chemical exposure that increases or decreases jump-rope ability. If you use the metric in the right context it's fine.
- terryschiavo22 7y agoI think the takeaway is that IQ is not comparable between individuals, but is comparable between points in time of one individual.
- asveikau 7y agoIt seems to me this is actually of an example of it used in aggregate, removing pollutants across whole populations, rather than on the individual. I might also sooner say the lesson is if you can unambiguously use the metric to lift people up, that's good. You still have to be very careful about what that means.
- dang 7y agoWe've gotten complaints about this username, and I think I agree with them. Trollish usernames aren't allowed on HN, because they effectively troll every thread they post to. If you email us with a better name, we'll be happy to switch it over for you and unban the account, but I've banned it at least for now.