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That theory isn't my own. High IQ among East Asians is fascinating. The fact that they can migrate to the US, and perform as well or better than others, even

That theory isn't my own. High IQ among East Asians is fascinating. The fact that they can migrate to the US, and perform as well or better than others, even if they are in the lower socioeconomic tier, tends to make me think that genetics does play a large part in IQ. I do not believe that it is the sole factor though. This is my take on it. If your child has a really low IQ, then it will be a hard life for your child. If your child has an average or higher IQ, then IQ stops being a factor and attitude, values, and work ethic play a bigger role.

cousin_it 17y ago
If your child has an average or higher IQ, then IQ stops being a factor and attitude, values, and work ethic play a bigger role. No. If you're willing to believe IQ is genetic, you must also believe IQ is is a stronger factor than work ethic - otherwise Jews would've been selected for work ethic instead. It certainly sounds like an easier variable for evolution to optimize. Not sure if you got my point about Koreans. If they have genetically above-average IQ, what selective pressures contributed to it? That's one possible way to test your explanation of Jewish intelligence.
- TheElder 17y ago
  I don't know. One thing that we all must keep in mind, not all Jews are smart and intelligent, as with any other group. It just happens that of the extremely smart people in the world today making breakthrough advancements, there's a good chance that they are Jewish. >If you're willing to believe IQ is genetic, you must also believe IQ is is a stronger factor than work ethic (How do you make italics/quotes on HN) A stronger factor contributing to what? Doing well, being able to provided for yourself and your family doesn't require a high IQ. One can do that merely with an average IQ, and do well in life, as long as on has a good work ethic. Having said that, it isn't very likely that a person with a slightly above average IQ will be able to produce the type of works of say a Newton or Einstein. That requires a genius IQ which almost nobody has, of any ethnic group. Although East Asians have one of the highest average IQ's, they have not dominated intellectually in the same way as Europeans. It's fascinating to me, asking why Europeans and not Asians, dominated the world, especially given the huge population of East Asians. It's a very complicated and touchy subject, but fascinating nonetheless.
- jongraehl 17y ago
  Good argument (IQ more important than work ethic), but also possible are: 1) sufficient work ethic may be culturally transmissible enough that genetic selection pressure is reduced 2) work ethic may be as strongly selected for genetically, but is more complicated to implement via random genetic variation than higher IQ

cousin_it 17y ago

If your child has an average or higher IQ, then IQ stops being a factor and attitude, values, and work ethic play a bigger role. No. If you're willing to believe IQ is genetic, you must also believe IQ is is a stronger factor than work ethic - otherwise Jews would've been selected for work ethic instead. It certainly sounds like an easier variable for evolution to optimize. Not sure if you got my point about Koreans. If they have genetically above-average IQ, what selective pressures contributed to it? That's one possible way to test your explanation of Jewish intelligence.

TheElder 17y ago
I don't know. One thing that we all must keep in mind, not all Jews are smart and intelligent, as with any other group. It just happens that of the extremely smart people in the world today making breakthrough advancements, there's a good chance that they are Jewish. >If you're willing to believe IQ is genetic, you must also believe IQ is is a stronger factor than work ethic (How do you make italics/quotes on HN) A stronger factor contributing to what? Doing well, being able to provided for yourself and your family doesn't require a high IQ. One can do that merely with an average IQ, and do well in life, as long as on has a good work ethic. Having said that, it isn't very likely that a person with a slightly above average IQ will be able to produce the type of works of say a Newton or Einstein. That requires a genius IQ which almost nobody has, of any ethnic group. Although East Asians have one of the highest average IQ's, they have not dominated intellectually in the same way as Europeans. It's fascinating to me, asking why Europeans and not Asians, dominated the world, especially given the huge population of East Asians. It's a very complicated and touchy subject, but fascinating nonetheless.
jongraehl 17y ago
Good argument (IQ more important than work ethic), but also possible are: 1) sufficient work ethic may be culturally transmissible enough that genetic selection pressure is reduced 2) work ethic may be as strongly selected for genetically, but is more complicated to implement via random genetic variation than higher IQ