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Groundbreaking study reveals the impact of genetics on IQ scores over time

10 points by pseudolus 2y ago

deleted 2y ago
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motohagiography 2y ago
Even if there were a genetic switch for IQ (by our narrow definition), a eugenic program that selected for that trait would still yield inferior results to the number of outliers produced by randomness at scale. Using r/K theory as an analogy, K-selection (few, high effort offspring) works for organisms without a lot of intra-species competition, and few of those species tribalize or murder each other at any scale. r-Selection (many, low effort offspring) lack sophistication, but dominate by sheer numbers. If you started breeding modified high-IQ humans, the rest would just end up organizing to hunt them to extinction. There are others who say this has already happened.
ziggyzecat 2y ago
Peak intelligence is a more interesting topic, in my opinion, and how lifestyle either reduces or raises the chance that a person can get closer. I have peers who have not evolved any further since the end of university, despite now having decades worth of life & work experience, professional and social connections, which is reflected in how they do their jobs, especially when they assume leadership in some department or company (evidence acquired from their current and former colleagues) and in how they raise their children as well. Other peers, who were less educated and were considered less intelligent and who did not go down the beaten path came out smarter, harder, faster, stronger and more disciplined & deliberate in their roles at work and as parents. The focus on IQ is as absurd. Learning, including learning to learn, which is the main intended outcome of school, is not an ability that can be tied to "healthy genetics" because amount of/exposure to unhealthy stress, and healthy stress without proper recovery, nutrition (person & parents), and how stimulating & inspiring the socio-cultural environment is, are not genetic. But that's only an outline of thoughts and observations & exceptions expand the rule, ofc.
jacknews 2y ago
No doubt all kinds of social and health factors can have an effect on IQ test performance, especially since IQ tests themselves are socially biased in various ways. But what if we ask whether the difference in intelligence between humans and chimps is environmental or genetic? It seems to me that genes are quite obviously the most influential factor in intelligence. Or at least for 'potential intelligence' - correcting for health or education deficits, etc.

10 points by pseudolus 2y ago

deleted 2y ago

[deleted]

Even if there were a genetic switch for IQ (by our narrow definition), a eugenic program that selected for that trait would still yield inferior results to the number of outliers produced by randomness at scale. Using r/K theory as an analogy, K-selection (few, high effort offspring) works for organisms without a lot of intra-species competition, and few of those species tribalize or murder each other at any scale. r-Selection (many, low effort offspring) lack sophistication, but dominate by sheer numbers. If you started breeding modified high-IQ humans, the rest would just end up organizing to hunt them to extinction. There are others who say this has already happened.

ziggyzecat 2y ago

Peak intelligence is a more interesting topic, in my opinion, and how lifestyle either reduces or raises the chance that a person can get closer. I have peers who have not evolved any further since the end of university, despite now having decades worth of life & work experience, professional and social connections, which is reflected in how they do their jobs, especially when they assume leadership in some department or company (evidence acquired from their current and former colleagues) and in how they raise their children as well. Other peers, who were less educated and were considered less intelligent and who did not go down the beaten path came out smarter, harder, faster, stronger and more disciplined & deliberate in their roles at work and as parents. The focus on IQ is as absurd. Learning, including learning to learn, which is the main intended outcome of school, is not an ability that can be tied to "healthy genetics" because amount of/exposure to unhealthy stress, and healthy stress without proper recovery, nutrition (person & parents), and how stimulating & inspiring the socio-cultural environment is, are not genetic. But that's only an outline of thoughts and observations & exceptions expand the rule, ofc.

jacknews 2y ago

No doubt all kinds of social and health factors can have an effect on IQ test performance, especially since IQ tests themselves are socially biased in various ways. But what if we ask whether the difference in intelligence between humans and chimps is environmental or genetic? It seems to me that genes are quite obviously the most influential factor in intelligence. Or at least for 'potential intelligence' - correcting for health or education deficits, etc.