From: RFaussette@aol.com
Date: Sat Aug 23 2003 - 08:08:59 EDT
In a message dated 8/23/03 7:34:40 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
iain.strachan.asa@ntlworld.com writes:
> > Genius is most certainly NOT a disadvantage. While other factors
> > can lead to instability in this population, having abnormally
> > high cognitive ability (there is more to genius that just a
> > "high IQ", but it is a minimum threshold), in and of itself, is
> > an great advantage, especially in the technological society we
> > now live.
>
> It depends on what you mean by "advantage" and "disadvantage". Sure, being
> smart may get you a good job, make you rich and content and so forth. But
> from an evolutionary perspective, "advantage" means you are more likely to
> produce offspring. But if the tendency to genius leads to instability, then
> this will inhibit your ability to have children, for instance if you are
> depressive. It's not difficult to think of people regarded as "geniuses"
> who committed suicide, e.g.
>
>
Ahkenazi-Jewish populations have the highest mean IQs in the world. Their
communities also have the highest birth rates in the world.
They also demonstrate a markedly higher degree of communal cohesion (achieved
though greater religiosity) and carry neurologically based genetic diseases
(Niemann Pick, familial dysautonomia, Tay Sachs) due to excessive inbreeding.
see The Bell Curve (Hernsteinn and Murray), A People That Shall Dwell Alone
(MacDonald)
rich
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