I’ve heard that density of neuronal connection correlated with test performance in the lab.
But, as XiXiDu said, we’re going to have a problem with definitions here.
I’ve always thought that if we could show that IQ had a genetic component and if we knew that IQ mattered for academic/career/personal success, then we ought to be thinking of medical ways to improve IQ for those who got the fuzzy end of the genetic lollipop. But we don’t know much about IQ, beyond family tree type of analyses meant to examine heritability—it’s a long way between “X looks like it runs in families” and “Here are the genes for X and the proteins they produce.”
I’ve always thought that if we could show that IQ had a genetic component and if we knew that IQ mattered for academic/career/personal success, then we ought to be thinking of medical ways to improve IQ for those who got the fuzzy end of the genetic lollipop.
It seems obvious that IQ has a genetic component. It seems obvious that IQ matters for success. I’m pretty sure the science is clear on those points. We’ve even identified hundreds of the genes, including really important ones like those highlighted by the Ashkenazim. What I’m asking is: what’s our plan of attack?
we ought to be thinking of medical ways to improve IQ for those who got the fuzzy end of the genetic lollipop
That is the realm of intelligence amplification: nootropics, neurofeedback, meditation, et cetera. Genetic engineering including gene therapy are unlikely to help much, especially when compared to more traditional IA. That is what I spend much of my time researching.
Well, then the next step would be trying to isolate the physiological correlates of those genes. I think it’s important to clear it up on the physical end because people will be arguing till the cows come home about causal relationships as long as we’re just playing with different kinds of test scores, “cognitive” versus classroom.
I think it’s important to clear it up on the physical end because people will be arguing till the cows come home about causal relationships as long as we’re just playing with different kinds of test scores, “cognitive” versus classroom.
In the U.S., I’m afraid this might be true, but what about places like India and China? I’m rather scared of a genetically enhanced Friendliness-ignorant existential risks-ignorant India. They seem not to have the same cultural biases as the U.S. does.
I’ve heard that density of neuronal connection correlated with test performance in the lab.
But, as XiXiDu said, we’re going to have a problem with definitions here.
I’ve always thought that if we could show that IQ had a genetic component and if we knew that IQ mattered for academic/career/personal success, then we ought to be thinking of medical ways to improve IQ for those who got the fuzzy end of the genetic lollipop. But we don’t know much about IQ, beyond family tree type of analyses meant to examine heritability—it’s a long way between “X looks like it runs in families” and “Here are the genes for X and the proteins they produce.”
It seems obvious that IQ has a genetic component. It seems obvious that IQ matters for success. I’m pretty sure the science is clear on those points. We’ve even identified hundreds of the genes, including really important ones like those highlighted by the Ashkenazim. What I’m asking is: what’s our plan of attack?
That is the realm of intelligence amplification: nootropics, neurofeedback, meditation, et cetera. Genetic engineering including gene therapy are unlikely to help much, especially when compared to more traditional IA. That is what I spend much of my time researching.
Well, then the next step would be trying to isolate the physiological correlates of those genes. I think it’s important to clear it up on the physical end because people will be arguing till the cows come home about causal relationships as long as we’re just playing with different kinds of test scores, “cognitive” versus classroom.
In the U.S., I’m afraid this might be true, but what about places like India and China? I’m rather scared of a genetically enhanced Friendliness-ignorant existential risks-ignorant India. They seem not to have the same cultural biases as the U.S. does.