IQ and Destiny--Mulling Over the Possibilities

Charles Murray's recent piece in Opinion Journal has stimulated some very interesting discussion. Michael Anissimov discusses Linda Gottfredson's research findings, which parallel Murray's comments. The comments after Michael's posting introduce some interesting concepts to the discussion. Gene Expression blog likewise drew some good comments after their treatment of Murray's piece.

My recent discussion on the same topic emphasized alternative pathways to success besides the professions and academia. While persons with high intelligence can succeed via either path, persons with IQ below 115 may have a much better chance of succeeding via small business and the skilled technologies.

Still, a person with an IQ of 100--110 can successfully complete college, and succeed in many fields of employment. But only if they are emotionally mature, with a full set of competency tools. Since modern schools--particularly government schools--fail dismally in teaching these tools of maturity, persons with IQ below 115 will have a difficult time completing conventional four year college curricula.

But that might not be a bad thing. Unfortunately, most four year colleges and universities have succumbed to a numbing political correctness that often disables an immature person's ability to think critically and independently. Bypassing these factories of brainwashing might allow a greater success in the long run, if the person learns to think independently on his own.

For persons with IQ below 90, the routes to success are far more limited in a high tech society. Imagining any successful society with a mean IQ below 90 is difficult. The only way that would be possible is if a significant market dominant minority ran the infrastructure, and at the same time gave the low-IQ majority major social benefits and opportunities. India may have the potential to create that type of society.