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Intelligence wars: Claimed intelligence gene identified

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Further to “Tom Bethell on the ‘Troublesome Inheritance’ controversy: Evolution and race”:

Move over, obesity gene, violence gene, and big spender gene:

The six-point IQ gap is an extrapolation, since the cognitive tests did not measure general intelligence directly. But if it is correct, variation in the KL gene could account for as much as 3% of the variation of IQ in the general population (or, rather, in the population from which the researchers’ samples were drawn, namely white Americans). In comparison, the previous record-holders, HMGA2 and NPTN, each account for only half a percent of that variation.

None of which is statistically significant.

The neo-Darwinian concept of a “gene” that these people who want to “revive the conversation about race” adhere to is obsolete anyway. It would be like “reviving” the feud between the Hatfields and the McCoys. Maybe the real intelligence test should be: Do you realize that it makes no sense to be doing this?

Intelligence means the ability to process information, and an information theory explanation is far more likely to be useful, especially in medicine. Doctors must treat developmental delay, brain damage, or dementia, and increasing the person’s ability to process information is the logical treatment.

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Comments
Barb Again you seem to misunderstand me. I'm not saying myself about Aryan superiority . I'm saying that because THEY can avoid these old conclusions its NOW morally and intellectually legit to bring up race. Actually if race is brought up then everythings on the table. they are just watching carefully. Proverds says wisdom is first. Understanding and knowledge are secondary. tHey are different and not related.Robert Byers
May 12, 2014
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The only reason this stuff is allowed is because they don’t have to admit to a british or aryan or white superiority. Are you late for your Hitler Youth meeting? The bible says Wisdom, first... The Bible says that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. In reality, gathering data (knowledge) comes first, then understanding, then wisdom (putting the knowledge to practical use).Barb
May 12, 2014
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As said before intelligence can be measured. However its still just measuring a point in time of some people or person. If conclusions are made then it must be a controlled experiment. no bringing immigrant peoples from backward nations into our nations AND THEN SCORING IT. The only reason this stuff is allowed is because they don't have to admit to a british or aryan or white superiority. Otherwise these books and writers would be burned at the stake. Its proof its a liberal establishment and not common consent on these matters. in reality there is no such thing as intelligence. just divisions of knowing. The bible says Wisdom, first, and then understanding and then knowledge. its all outside us and its there for everybody HOWEVER generally the people you are born into and mingle with are the origin for what the kid picks up. Thats why there are identity differences. Including motivation to explain female behindness etc.Robert Byers
May 11, 2014
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I wonder if they'll ever find the atheism and theism gene as well and if a eugenics battle with ensue because of that.VunderGuy
May 11, 2014
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Saying we can classify one individual as more "intelligent" is , well, rather unintelligent. Intelligent at what? Some people are intelligent at playing a violin, but stupid at playing tic tac toe, some people are intelligent at linguistics, but very dumb about hitting a ball, and some people are extremely intelligent at coming up with a witty comment immediately whilst being unable to remember their times tables. And some people are barely able to even speak but can draw an entire cityscape down to the smallest detail after seeing it for just a few seconds. If you have a good memory is that intelligent? What if you have a terrible memory but can imagine solutions to problems no one ever dreamed of. Perhaps the most intelligent person who ever lived is also the dumbest. Who decides?phoodoo
May 10, 2014
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It is very clear that there are differences between individuals on intelligence. It is very clear that part of this is genetic. How much, is still to be determined. The Teaching Company has a course on Intelligence: http://www.thegreatcourses.com/tgc/courses/course_detail.aspx?cid=1642 The G concept has several components all of which correlate with each other. What is not clear is are there other types of intelligence that are useful and do not correlate with G. For example, verbal intelligence does not necessarily correlate with mathematical intelligence. We have all run into people who are gifted with words who can barely add. And there are social skills which some people seem to have in abundance while others are at best adequate. This is a concept that has been studied very thoroughly but they still have a long way to go. For example, they have identified various parts of the brain (using various types of scans) that seem to go with certain intellectual skills but there is nothing definitive yet.jerry
May 10, 2014
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Intelligence means the ability to process information, and an information theory explanation is far more likely to be useful, especially in medicine. Doctors must treat developmental delay, brain damage, or dementia, and increasing the person’s ability to process information is the logical treatment.
And you don't think that genes are ever a factor in developmental problems or dementia, etc?goodusername
May 10, 2014
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'intelligence gene identified' Is it next to the gene that makes me eat coconut ice cream after a fish dinner? John Cleese - The Scientists - 2008 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-M-vnmejwXobornagain77
May 10, 2014
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