Drahflow comments on Cascio in The Atlantic, more on cognitive enhancement as existential risk mitigation - Less Wrong

20 [deleted] 18 June 2009 03:09PM

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Comment author: Yvain 18 June 2009 03:42:37PM *  3 points [-]

Really, really, really doubtful that correlations between national IQ and, well, anything prove anything besides that certain countries are generally better off than others. That correlation is probably just differentiating First World countries from Third World countries in general - the First World has better health and education, and also better government. Although I'm agnostic on the existence of racial IQ differences, those aren't what's going on here, considering the wide variation in success of countries with similar races.

Same with IQ versus religion within and between countries: it's probably just an artifact of religion vs. wealth correlations. I scanned those articles and I didn't see anything saying they'd adjusted for it; if there is, then I'll start getting excited.

Comment author: Drahflow 18 June 2009 04:38:40PM 1 point [-]

Or intelligent people are just better at getting wealthy.