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And every instance of "child genius" that has been studied has boiled down to no innate ability, but rigorous practice from an early age. Completely laughable,

And every instance of "child genius" that has been studied has boiled down to no innate ability, but rigorous practice from an early age. Completely laughable, and completely unverifiable. The only passable tests of such things that I am aware of are studies of separated twins, which have indicated quite clearly, time and time again, that variance in intelligence is attributable in great part to inheritance. There's no arguing around such tests--bring up as many chimpanzee breeds that you want. Meaning that "intelligence" is largely learned, mind is an empty plate of neurons waiting to be connected. The oldest error in the discussion. Start your elementary education in the subject here: http://www.amazon.com/Blank-Slate-Modern-Denial-Nature/dp/0670031518 http://www.amazon.com/Blank-Slate-Modern-Denial-Nature/dp/06... Pinker spends an enormous amount of time bowing down to the antique emotionalisms of the age, and so the book shouldn't be too offensive to the weak-hearted. EDIT: user: politrix created: 1 day ago

rms 19y ago
It seems pretty blindingly obvious that intelligence is both genetic and environmental. They're not exclusive.
- mynameishere 19y ago
  I've been saying that over and over. Maybe you should say that to someone else.
  - politrix 19y ago
    Obviously intelligence has a genetic factor, there is no question about that. Why is cat's intellect different from humans? Due to its DNA. But that is not the point, when it comes to humans, there is no significant enough variation that could lead into large scale intellectual differences. Likewise due to the genetic mixing you couldn't label one traditionally understood "race" as one or the other. Furthermore it makes little sense from evolutionary perspective. The child genius comment is not laughable. A genius is always tied to a particular skill given in a cultural context. For example playing a piano, or juggling. It is possible that a child is born with certain innate physical qualities that help him in whatever he practices. Like being fair, or strong, tall, etc... But to assume that any 5 year old learned to play piano as some kind of a genetic gift is far more ludicrous. It takes hard practice to perfect your body and mind to work in unison for any particular task, approximately the same for everyone bar perhaps the effects of personal motivation and rigor of the exercise. With the exception of people with disorders that in some way may make them amazingly good at certain tasks, like having eidetic memory.

rms 19y ago

It seems pretty blindingly obvious that intelligence is both genetic and environmental. They're not exclusive.

mynameishere 19y ago
I've been saying that over and over. Maybe you should say that to someone else.
- politrix 19y ago
  Obviously intelligence has a genetic factor, there is no question about that. Why is cat's intellect different from humans? Due to its DNA. But that is not the point, when it comes to humans, there is no significant enough variation that could lead into large scale intellectual differences. Likewise due to the genetic mixing you couldn't label one traditionally understood "race" as one or the other. Furthermore it makes little sense from evolutionary perspective. The child genius comment is not laughable. A genius is always tied to a particular skill given in a cultural context. For example playing a piano, or juggling. It is possible that a child is born with certain innate physical qualities that help him in whatever he practices. Like being fair, or strong, tall, etc... But to assume that any 5 year old learned to play piano as some kind of a genetic gift is far more ludicrous. It takes hard practice to perfect your body and mind to work in unison for any particular task, approximately the same for everyone bar perhaps the effects of personal motivation and rigor of the exercise. With the exception of people with disorders that in some way may make them amazingly good at certain tasks, like having eidetic memory.