ver 2.0 Ashkenazim and intelligence

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by CompanyXPaladin

I think its interesting. Its definitely fascinating that an entire race of people can adapt like that, and it solidifies Friedrich Nietzsche's "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." But it should hardly be surprising - genetic selection and adaptation is the basis for modern society.

That said - whats the point of your post? Are you just trying to spread general knowledge? You probably would (as said) have better luck and reception on a non-car forum. Are you trying to start a discussion based on the statement "Jews are smarter, but more susceptible to certain diseases through natural selection based on their conditions in Europe?" Are you advocating testing entire races of humans and cross-referencing ancestral professions and environments (an impossible task)?

Your link is broken.

....that people adapt to their circumstances. Sometimes in surprising ways, and that intelligence is in part genetic. If intelligence is genetic could it be raised medically? Perhaps people with mental handicaps could be helped.

I've learned one thing from the reactions to this post - there is a lot of "baggage" out there regarding genetics and human potential.

Gene

[CompanyXPaladin]

Originally Posted by GeneW

....that people adapt to their circumstances.

I thought that was reasonably well known? Many animals have different species that adapt to environmental variables. Why would humans be any different?

... and that intelligence is in part genetic.

I guess that depends on what you define as 'intelligence.' If you define it as the brain's speed or power, like a computer processor, I would say it's entirely genetic. If you define it as the person's knowledge and ability to learn, I would say that's largely environmental. For example, IMO, many of today's (Southern Californian, anyway. I haven't observed the rest of the world.) youth are quite intelligent, they just aren't willing to learn, and therefore appear stupid.

If intelligence is genetic could it be raised medically?

I thought that was one of the things being researched (by people smarter than me ) in genetic fields? Cracking the genetic code, deciphering DNA, and unlocking the ability to cure cancer and AIDS, and choose the perfect baby?

Or are you referring to breeding through parental selection, like livestock? Breeding the "Pure-bred" child. If you are, that's why there's baggage attached. Inherently, if you perform that kind of experiment, you're starting a class war. People don't like the idea that they wouldn't be selected to breed the perfect human, that there's someone better than they are. They don't like the idea of having pure-bred people who are smarter, more illness resistant, and naturally more gifted than they are.