Intelligence is Partly Genetic

Intelligence (how high you score on IQ tests, or smartness measured in other ways) is partly based on genetics.

The problem is that we, as a society, value intelligence greatly and try and get everyone to be as smart as possible.

But, as it’s (partly) inborn, we fail miserably.

We should try and get everyone to level X. Don’t judge a fish on its ability to climb a tree.

Respect the diversity, whilst optimising for the reduction of suffering (not happiness, let’s leave that for another time).

Source

Book Review – The Cult of Smart – Scott Alexander

More Notes

There are of course differences to be found and created with regards to education and its outcomes. But as a society we focus too much on the maliability and the expectation of that, vs seeing that other opportunities (not dependent on ‘raw’ intelligence’) are also possible.