Academic (or other) backgrounds of AH denizens

[AwkwardlySet]

Intelligence is the ability to figure out stuff? That is very much in agreement with the mainstream theory.
Have you ever taken an IQ test? Because that's exactly what is being measured in general IQ tests - the ability to figure out the connection between certain symbols, the way the are linked, the way they progress. IQ tests BY DEFINITION, need to be culture and knowledge independent.

 

[djrip]

I think it does. Being “smart” doesn’t make you moral

See Luthor, Lex.

 

[Tayloroc]

Lol. True!

 

[oggbashan]

Intelligence is the ability to figure out stuff? That is very much in agreement with the mainstream theory.
Have you ever taken an IQ test? Because that's exactly what is being measured in general IQ tests - the ability to figure out the connection between certain symbols, the way the are linked, the way they progress. IQ tests BY DEFINITION, need to be culture and knowledge independent.

But until the last couple of decades - IQ test weren't. They measured cultural assilimation and underestatimated cultures that were not the norm.

I took my last IQ test when I was 11 and scored highly then, above my age becuase I read widely. I have taken IQ style tests since then and scored very well because the same questions - exactly the same - were asked each of five times. They proved nothing except memory.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Intelligence is the ability to figure out stuff? That is very much in agreement with the mainstream theory.
Have you ever taken an IQ test? Because that's exactly what is being measured in general IQ tests - the ability to figure out the connection between certain symbols, the way the are linked, the way they progress. IQ tests BY DEFINITION, need to be culture and knowledge independent.

It’s the ability to figure out a very narrow range of stuff on the test. It’s not generic. People who are good at figuring out X are not necessarily good at figuring out Y.

Anyway I’ve made my very basic points many times. No point continuing to make them.

Em

 

[Tayloroc]

An interesting instrument years ago: the defining issues test that attempted to measure moral reasoning ability. It didn’t measure whether you were in fact more or less moral. Rather, the purpose was to see if you used higher level questions/thoughts to resolve a given ethical dilemma. Very interesting stuff.

 

[MrPixel]

I've never had my IQ measured. Does this mean my IQ is literally off the charts?

Very funny. Mine was measured, and is in fact "off the charts", at least as determined by the basic test administered 50 years ago. Past a certain point it wasn't particularly accurate, you needed a second test to nail it down, and that was only +/–10.

And a damn bit of good it did me when calculus hit me like a ton of bricks. I think I failed four different attempts, destroying my GPA in the process.

 

[gunhilltrain]

(don't forget to tip your waitress, and do try the veal)

Please forgive my thread drift, but the thread is already drifting:

Captain McCluskey: "How is the Italian food in this restaurant?" (Well, it is an Italian restaurant.) Virgil Sollozzo: "Try the veal. It's the best in the city."

 

[Tayloroc]

Very funny. Mine was measured, and is in fact "off the charts", at least as determined by the basic test administered 50 years ago. Past a certain point it wasn't particularly accurate, you needed a second test to nail it down, and that was only +/–10.

And a damn bit of good it did me when calculus hit me like a ton of bricks. I think I failed four different attempts, destroying my GPA in the process.

Speaking of smart: when you consider how hard calculus be, how smart must Leibniz and newton be to invent it?

 

[AwkwardlySet]

But until the last couple of decades - IQ test weren't. They measured cultural assilimation and underestatimated cultures that were not the norm.

I took my last IQ test when I was 11 and scored highly then, above my age becuase I read widely. I have taken IQ style tests since then and scored very well because the same questions - exactly the same - were asked each of five times. They proved nothing except memory.

I don't doubt that IQ tests used to be much more flawed compared to today. I did my first test at the recruitment center where besides the general IQ tests, there were verbal intelligence tests, spatial orientation tests and so on. After that one, I took general IQ tests only, several times, and the results were more or less consistent all 3 or 4 times.

 

[Tayloroc]

I don't doubt that IQ tests used to be much more flawed compared to today. I did my first test at the recruitment center where besides the general IQ tests, there were verbal intelligence tests, spatial orientation tests and so on. After that one, I took general IQ tests only, several times, and the results were more or less consistent all 3 or 4 times.

Lots of faculty who would score high on an IQ test. Perhaps not so high on an EQ test

 

[j267]

What are the stereotypes for you Western Capitalist pigs. Are only STEM students considered nerds?

They’re the only ones considered educated.

 

[Seadog777]

My thanks for your service.

Was my absolute pleasure.
I had a wonderful experience....mostly. LOL.
I saw and experienced different cultures on 5 of the 7 continents.
Made some incredible friends.
My family has been serving in the Navy since The Civil War.

 

[XerXesXu]

I would say that 'speed of thought' is the nearest measure of the plausibly hypothesised Generalised Cognitive Ability. My father had no formal qualifications, he retired as a fire brigade Station Officer. Two of my brothers had no formal qualifications but followed in Daddy's footsteps and retired as Assistant Divisional Officers. The Fire Brigade is an emergency service, you must think fast and react fast. Lives depend on it, those of your team and the public. It's a little like being an NCO in the infantry. Many have no academic qualifications and couldn't perform on an IQ test, but they have to think fast and react fast. They're the backbone of an infantry formation. Talking with these people you can quickly determine that they're smart, but you couldn't tell that by setting them an IQ test.

At the bar, a basic requirement to perform is an ability to 'think on your feet', that is, to deal with unexpected turns of event in examining witnesses or addressing the Court. Even with high academic qualifications and remarkable results on IQ tests, some people have leaden cognitive abilities, and can't rapidly assess a situation and make an appropriate response. I think we instinctively sort others into those who can and those who can't.

 

[EmilyMiller]

I, Emily Miller, being of no less sound mind than normal, do solemnly swear never to mention how asinine the concept of IQ is on any sex-related forum*.

Truce?

—

* I reserve the right to say it on other forums

 

[TxRad]

Especially on a sex related forum where the IQ's run so high.

 

[SimonDoom]

I, Emily Miller, being of no less sound mind than normal, do solemnly swear never to mention how asinine the concept of IQ is on any sex-related forum*.

Truce?

—

* I reserve the right to say it on other forums

There's no need for a truce. Nobody has to apologize here for bringing up a subject people disagree about. There's nothing wrong with disagreement. It's been a civil discussion.

 

[Tayloroc]

That’s true. A refreshing change to see a long discussion not devolve into bickering

 

[oggbashan]

Neither my father nor my uncles left school with any acadaemic qualifications beyond education to age 12. They took courses and examinations at evening classes. Yet my paternal uncle, and my father, having started as boy messengers, ended up as very senior servants. Of my maternal uncles, one joined a building society and ended up as its General Manager; the other joined a local travel agancy, grew it into a national brand, and started his own spin-off which is still doing well.

Onme of my wife's cousins, having joined at start-up pizza chain, became a major shareholder and director, sold up and founded his own hotel and restaurant chain. He is now worth many millions. His father, also a senior civile servant, complained that his son 'didn't have a proper job'. As did my father of my elder brother who became production manager for seven food factories.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I would say that 'speed of thought' is the nearest measure of the plausibly hypothesised Generalised Cognitive Ability. My father had no formal qualifications, he retired as a fire brigade Station Officer. Two of my brothers had no formal qualifications but followed in Daddy's footsteps and retired as Assistant Divisional Officers. The Fire Brigade is an emergency service, you must think fast and react fast. Lives depend on it, those of your team and the public. It's a little like being an NCO in the infantry. Many have no academic qualifications and couldn't perform on an IQ test, but they have to think fast and react fast. They're the backbone of an infantry formation. Talking with these people you can quickly determine that they're smart, but you couldn't tell that by setting them an IQ test.

At the bar, a basic requirement to perform is an ability to 'think on your feet', that is, to deal with unexpected turns of event in examining witnesses or addressing the Court. Even with high academic qualifications and remarkable results on IQ tests, some people have leaden cognitive abilities, and can't rapidly assess a situation and make an appropriate response. I think we instinctively sort others into those who can and those who can't.

Speed of thought and analysis is vital for many jobs, yes. I've got it. I'm not actually that clever - inventing new tech or solutions is beyond me, not to mention ever understanding the internal combustion engine, but assessing info and responding rapidly, combined with an outstanding memory for odd details, makes people think I'm way more clever than I am.

But equally some people are very clever but just can't do anything fast. My son was the despair of all teachers because he'd take 40 min or so to think about answering any question, by which time it was the end of the lesson. But in a totally unpressured situation, with no time limit, eventually they'd get some outstanding essays or solved problems. It's not a lack of cognition, but it sure is an impediment for many things.

 

[Comshaw]

I've never had my IQ measured. Does this mean my IQ is literally off the charts?

(don't forget to tip your waitress, and do try the veal)

​

I'd say it's a Schrodinger's cat kinda' of thing. Since you've never been measured and until you are, you can be thought of as both average AND off the charts. The lesson? don't ever, ever take an IQ test.

Comshaw

 

[SimonDoom]

Hello. Hope I'm allowed here - just started submitting my stories.

My background is in radio - production and presentation plus I have an English degree plus post-grad certificate in Radio Production.

Somewhat nerdy, semi retired now/freelance and busier being a grandmother. Writing is a hobby and I submit to a lot of places but obviously not in the manner I do here

Nin.

Of course you are allowed. Welcome!

It can be a cantankerous bunch, but it's not in any way exclusive.

Suggestion: Post a link to your submission page in your signature line. You can see how some others have done it. That way people can easily see what you've written.

 

[EmilyMiller]

Hello. Hope I'm allowed here - just started submitting my stories.

My background is in radio - production and presentation plus I have an English degree plus post-grad certificate in Radio Production and also worked for the BBC so constantly trained until redundancy.

Somewhat nerdy, semi retired now/freelance and busier being a grandmother. Writing is a hobby and I submit to a lot of places but obviously not in the manner I do here

Nin.

Of course you’re welcome here.

Em

 

[Tayloroc]

Hello. Hope I'm allowed here - just started submitting my stories.

My background is in radio - production and presentation plus I have an English degree plus post-grad certificate in Radio Production and also worked for the BBC so constantly trained until redundancy.

Somewhat nerdy, semi retired now/freelance and busier being a grandmother. Writing is a hobby and I submit to a lot of places but obviously not in the manner I do here

Nin.

Welcome !

 

[KeithD]

I, Emily Miller, being of no less sound mind than normal, do solemnly swear never to mention how asinine the concept of IQ is on any sex-related forum*.

Truce?

—

* I reserve the right to say it on other forums

As far as I know, my IQ has never been tested. I'm pretty sure I don't want to know what it is.