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IQ is misunderstood by most people and the common misconceptions are extremely harmful. In reality IQ matters much less than people think. The top 5 rated ches

IQ is misunderstood by most people and the common misconceptions are extremely harmful. In reality IQ matters much less than people think. The top 5 rated chess player of all time (Hikaru Nakamura) has a ~105 IQ. People with an average IQ are capable of performing at the 0.1% level with the proper structured training and time. In my experience IQ mostly impacts the rate at which you learn things. So it took you 2 years instead of 1.5 to master a certain skill -- so what? As a society we should put more emphasis on hard work and results, and less on inherant traits.

strikelaserclaw 5y ago
more like iq is a crude measure of human intelligence
- yadaeno 5y ago
  And intelligence is no more than a crude guideline for determining human potential. The fixation on intelligence is a reflection of a culture that don't recognize hard work and is ultimately lazy. We don't want to put in the grueling effort it takes to master, and hone a craft over decades. We would rather cash in on "genetic lottery" points for the rest of our lives. You see people bragging about their university or SAT score from 30 years ago, but have accomplished nothing since then. I have no moral objection with studying IQ among individuals and groups. But I think compared to other factors that influence human potential, it is the least interesting and least actionable. It also perpetuates the myth that it really matters on an indivual level.
1980phipsi 5y ago
IQ matters less than people think at some things, like chess. However, it does matter for other things, like mathematical analysis. Moreover, there is a correlation between IQ or proxies of IQ (like test scores) and income. While it isn't a super-strong relationship, there are few other variables that have as strong an impact.
- yadaeno 5y ago
  Have you studied chess at an advanced level (1500+ elo)? Your assertion makes me seriously doubt that you have. And like I said, it's pretty hard to deny IQ is a proxy for learning rate (which is extremely beneficial practically). But it is not the deciding factor in human potential. There are much more impactful and practically easy improve environmental factors like culture, school system, diet, parenting that are a much more fruitful place to focus our effort.
  - Jensson 5y ago
    Have you studied mathematics at an advanced level (ie Principles of mathematical analysis by Rudin)? Your assertion makes me seriously doubt that you have. Learning chess and mathematics is nothing alike. People who do well on math also do well on IQ, that not being true for Chess would mean that Chess is different from most other topics. So for example, if you want to train someone to be a human calculator, really fast at crunching numbers, then you don't need intelligent people. That is what chess is like. But if you want people to build and understand huge complex systems all carefully interconnected like Math then you need intelligent people.

strikelaserclaw 5y ago

more like iq is a crude measure of human intelligence

yadaeno 5y ago
And intelligence is no more than a crude guideline for determining human potential. The fixation on intelligence is a reflection of a culture that don't recognize hard work and is ultimately lazy. We don't want to put in the grueling effort it takes to master, and hone a craft over decades. We would rather cash in on "genetic lottery" points for the rest of our lives. You see people bragging about their university or SAT score from 30 years ago, but have accomplished nothing since then. I have no moral objection with studying IQ among individuals and groups. But I think compared to other factors that influence human potential, it is the least interesting and least actionable. It also perpetuates the myth that it really matters on an indivual level.

1980phipsi 5y ago

IQ matters less than people think at some things, like chess. However, it does matter for other things, like mathematical analysis. Moreover, there is a correlation between IQ or proxies of IQ (like test scores) and income. While it isn't a super-strong relationship, there are few other variables that have as strong an impact.

yadaeno 5y ago
Have you studied chess at an advanced level (1500+ elo)? Your assertion makes me seriously doubt that you have. And like I said, it's pretty hard to deny IQ is a proxy for learning rate (which is extremely beneficial practically). But it is not the deciding factor in human potential. There are much more impactful and practically easy improve environmental factors like culture, school system, diet, parenting that are a much more fruitful place to focus our effort.
- Jensson 5y ago
  Have you studied mathematics at an advanced level (ie Principles of mathematical analysis by Rudin)? Your assertion makes me seriously doubt that you have. Learning chess and mathematics is nothing alike. People who do well on math also do well on IQ, that not being true for Chess would mean that Chess is different from most other topics. So for example, if you want to train someone to be a human calculator, really fast at crunching numbers, then you don't need intelligent people. That is what chess is like. But if you want people to build and understand huge complex systems all carefully interconnected like Math then you need intelligent people.