Great post! It's refreshing to see IQ discussed in a Popperian context.
A few thoughts:
→ I would phrase it like this: Nature and nurture are in a continuous interplay, spiraling into each other. I like Ruxandra Teslo’s metaphor: 'Biology, akin to a mighty river, is channeled through the banks of Culture.'
→ Nature is only fixed at present time. Future technology will enable us to overcome many of our current genetic limitations.
→ Using Newton as the benchmark for success feels a bit extreme. For most people, success looks more like earning six figures, being generally healthy, and having a lovely family and social life—these are more attainable and realistic measures.
→ I think IQ plays a larger role than 10% in achieving success. I have no idea how much precisely, but the strong correlation between IQ, higher income, and overall well-being makes me skeptical that its impact is as minimal as you suggested.
→ In the section on desire, it might be worth noting this well-established sex difference — men generally show a stronger preference for working with "things" (e.g., mechanical or technical fields), while women often prefer working with "people" (e.g., caregiving or social roles). Aaand since this difference impacts desire, could it be argued that nature and desire are, at times, intertwined?
- While I have categorized nature as merely genes here, it does extend beyond that, something I've only recently started learning about. For example, our cells and organelles within the cells. Overcoming nature may not be as simple as overcoming genetic limitations. We would have to think about cell interactions too, and perhaps limitations there too could be overcome by technology.
- Agreed Newton is an extreme example. However, I think my point on creativity being the driving factor in Newton's success applies to other people too. It's just that the reward scales are different.
- I know IQ studies do show a strong correlation but I wonder if it gets confounded with other factors like hard work or conscientiousness. Noted though, point for me to look into further.
- Ha, that's an interesting points. Yes, I can see how nature and desire being intertwined is possible.
Thanks for all these points, super helpful and fun to think about!
Interesting — I need to brush up on my understanding of epigenetics, cells, and organelles :)
Re IQ and conscientiousness — both may be needed for excellence. Conscientiousness may be able to compensate for average IQ in most cases, but at the tails, my guess is that one needs both high IQ and high conscientiousness, e.g. for winning a Novel prize.
Great post! It's refreshing to see IQ discussed in a Popperian context.
A few thoughts:
→ I would phrase it like this: Nature and nurture are in a continuous interplay, spiraling into each other. I like Ruxandra Teslo’s metaphor: 'Biology, akin to a mighty river, is channeled through the banks of Culture.'
→ Nature is only fixed at present time. Future technology will enable us to overcome many of our current genetic limitations.
→ Using Newton as the benchmark for success feels a bit extreme. For most people, success looks more like earning six figures, being generally healthy, and having a lovely family and social life—these are more attainable and realistic measures.
→ I think IQ plays a larger role than 10% in achieving success. I have no idea how much precisely, but the strong correlation between IQ, higher income, and overall well-being makes me skeptical that its impact is as minimal as you suggested.
→ In the section on desire, it might be worth noting this well-established sex difference — men generally show a stronger preference for working with "things" (e.g., mechanical or technical fields), while women often prefer working with "people" (e.g., caregiving or social roles). Aaand since this difference impacts desire, could it be argued that nature and desire are, at times, intertwined?
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19883140/
Thanks Paul!
- Yes, I agree it's definitely an interplay
- While I have categorized nature as merely genes here, it does extend beyond that, something I've only recently started learning about. For example, our cells and organelles within the cells. Overcoming nature may not be as simple as overcoming genetic limitations. We would have to think about cell interactions too, and perhaps limitations there too could be overcome by technology.
- Agreed Newton is an extreme example. However, I think my point on creativity being the driving factor in Newton's success applies to other people too. It's just that the reward scales are different.
- I know IQ studies do show a strong correlation but I wonder if it gets confounded with other factors like hard work or conscientiousness. Noted though, point for me to look into further.
- Ha, that's an interesting points. Yes, I can see how nature and desire being intertwined is possible.
Thanks for all these points, super helpful and fun to think about!
Interesting — I need to brush up on my understanding of epigenetics, cells, and organelles :)
Re IQ and conscientiousness — both may be needed for excellence. Conscientiousness may be able to compensate for average IQ in most cases, but at the tails, my guess is that one needs both high IQ and high conscientiousness, e.g. for winning a Novel prize.
This is a good, succinct post on IQ:
https://x.com/ArtemisConsort/status/1821054410467704832