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Prismattic comments on I've had it with those dark rumours about our culture rigorously suppressing opinions - Less Wrong Discussion

26 Post author: Multiheaded 25 January 2012 05:43PM

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Comment author: Prismattic 28 January 2012 12:43:33AM 7 points [-]

If the main problem with international aid is low IQ and conscientiousness (NB -- not conceding this), then that is just evidence that foreign aid should focus first on things that affect this. IQ appears to negatively correlate with rates of parasitic infection, and also with exposure to mercury. Lead exposure increases impulsiveness, so I expect it correlates with low conscientiousness. So, wiping out parasitic diseases and metals abatement, among other things, should probably be high-priority forms of aid.

Comment author: RomeoStevens 28 January 2012 11:48:59AM *  6 points [-]

prenatal nutrition is huge too but AFAIK has been actively fought against precisely because it implies that the problem is low-IQ which is a no-no.

Comment author: Emile 28 January 2012 12:34:43PM 5 points [-]

I haven't heard that before, any reference?

Comment author: RomeoStevens 28 January 2012 02:51:27PM *  1 point [-]

Unable to find one, it could well be untrue.

Edit: this information was communicated to me by a person working in a prenatal nutrition charity, which caused me to assume it was legit. Their own model of "fought against" might have been biased.

Comment author: wallowinmaya 28 January 2012 12:05:53PM 2 points [-]

I agree. It would be great if international aid organizations adopted the methods of Givewell or GWWC. (BTW, I think one of the greater problems with international aid is that it distorts incentives and increases corruption.)

Comment author: Viliam_Bur 28 January 2012 12:36:23PM 1 point [-]

If the main problem with international aid is low IQ and conscientiousness (NB -- not conceding this), then that is just evidence that foreign aid should focus first on things that affect this. IQ appears to negatively correlate with rates of parasitic infection, and also with exposure to mercury.

Lobbying for thermometer export ban = most efficient charity ever?

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