tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post8821403785722787250..comments2024-03-28T09:43:20.058-05:00Comments on Bayou Renaissance Man: Intelligence, international aid workers, and realityPeterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-83453924461806845222016-08-19T10:59:51.858-05:002016-08-19T10:59:51.858-05:00Interesting stuff, especially the stuff about Exec...Interesting stuff, especially the stuff about Executive Outcomes.<br /><br />Can anybody recommend any books to read (or films, etc) about those 20th century African wars? Border war, bush war, etc... I poked around a bit online, but between the Cold War politics and the tribal enmities and everything else, it's absurdly complicated. But fascinating. I'd love to know more.Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-39375293579926439492016-08-18T20:33:55.552-05:002016-08-18T20:33:55.552-05:00"Economists used to focus on the “hardware” o...<br />"Economists used to focus on the “hardware” of the economy, such as factories and equipment. More recently, we have come to realize that intangible factors, such as social norms and cumulative innovation, are the important determinants of economic outcomes."<br /><br />Arnold Kling. Specialization and Trade: A Re-Introduction to Economics (Kindle Locations 116-118). CATO Institute. <br /><br />The aid agencies and other seem to want to dump "hardware" on Africa and have it all work. It is not unlike how the same type of "aid" people look to a college education and home ownership magically making people middle class out of historically poor people. <br /><br />Just this side of using mercs in acceptability is a suggestion to work to change the intangible factors of social norms and as Peter indicated, lower-tech to start an indigenous innovation cycle as the locals build up skills. Dumping sophisticated engines and such is not only to high up the technology chain, they are also to specialized and require a complex trade infrastructure that just isn't in place. JK Brownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-83340022195700369212016-08-18T19:15:22.932-05:002016-08-18T19:15:22.932-05:00My own observation is kids adopted from Africa wil...My own observation is kids adopted from Africa will rise somewhat in IQ most likely because of diet. Genetics, however, will dictate the limit with nurture making up the rest. Nurture simply allows one to rise within their genetic limit. I've seen a number of African imports raised by US families, and they tend to track their parents when it comes IQ and as well as the traits we normally expect.Quartermasternoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-21759691178804770992016-08-18T18:25:18.784-05:002016-08-18T18:25:18.784-05:00IQ is also greatly affected by nutrition at an ear...IQ is also greatly affected by nutrition at an early age. As in a lack of food or a lack of nutritive food greatly depresses the IQ and often that is a permanent depression. Same thing with inner city and Appalachia here.Precision270noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-79620661777990019632016-08-18T17:49:15.589-05:002016-08-18T17:49:15.589-05:00Working in the Middle East the points raised here ...Working in the Middle East the points raised here in my experience equally apply there as well. I spent considerable effort forcing simplicity and "sustainability " as an aid project criteria as anything fancy did not last and was unused or abandoned.Txdinohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07688636720462584056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-5819241231495307822016-08-18T15:48:47.398-05:002016-08-18T15:48:47.398-05:00Another problem is how different cultures approach...Another problem is how different cultures approach things. Castalia House's "The Missionaries" does an excellent job of pointing that out. An example would be that when mosquito nets have been donated to a tribe, they have instead been used to fish with, devastating the fish in the area.<br /><br />https://e360.yale.edu/digest/misuse_of_malaria-fighting_mosquito_nets_stressing_lake_malawi_fish_populations/4654/<br /><br />Oops! Malaria is something the people don't think about much, and hunger is there always. Overfishing and poisoning the water with a permethrin-impregnated net are long-term problems, food now is what they're after.<br />tweellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164718561825615886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-32119769264036435342016-08-18T13:36:26.906-05:002016-08-18T13:36:26.906-05:00There is a huge environmental/cultural component.
...There is a huge environmental/cultural component.<br /><br />But anyone who ignores the genetic component in measured intelligence needs to explain why it's OK to note genetic differences in things like disease resistance or susceptibility, muscle type (slow/fast twitch), bone density, etc - but even considering possible intellectual differences is beyond the pale of consideration.<br /><br />Oddly, DNA analysis has already found at least some genetic markers that correlate with measured intelligence and educational attainment. And they have noted that high- vs average- IQ variants occur with differing frequencies in different populations. Yet pointing this out, and that differing IQ levels on a population-wide basis appears to correlate with the frequencies of these markers is regarded as racist pseudo-science.<br /><br />This is not an argument for despair, giving up trying to improve conditions, or anything but treating individuals AS individuals rather than members of a group. It IS an argument for looking at things as they exist rather than ideology.<br /><br />I, personally, think that schools *should* track students by demonstrated ability rather than the current lockstep model. And, specifically, ignore any racial differences in who ends up in what track except to ensure that the academic selection criteria are applied in a race-blind manner.<br /><br />I apply the same criteria to the problems in Africa - deal with the situation and people as they are, not as your theory says they should be. I've heard of vegans trying to force their pets - including cats, which are obligate carnivores - to eat a vegan diet. I see the same mindset in how idealists have attempted to set social policy.Javaheadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14922782424313956036noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-84493220242812289082016-08-18T12:17:44.896-05:002016-08-18T12:17:44.896-05:00Well, as long as we're talking about education...Well, as long as we're talking about educational/cultural issues and are not afraid of shooting sacred horses, don't forget the culture that so many follow. Boko haram transliterates as "learning is forbidden". I know many will change that to "western learning", but if memorization of the Quran is the only learning that's permissible, it doesn't seem to matter much. <br />SiGraybeardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00280583031339062059noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-69819987471600592092016-08-18T10:48:26.081-05:002016-08-18T10:48:26.081-05:00As a professional in the field of Psychometrics I ...As a professional in the field of Psychometrics I would just say that IQ is largely, but not totally, genetic. The literature is clear that adopted children's IQ will be much more closely correlated with their biological parents than with their adoptive parents. However, environment does play a part. <br /><br />The basic concept is called "reaction range". In short this means that you are born with a genetic maximum IQ. If everything goes right in your life and all the circumstances align you can go that high, but no higher. But, if anything goes wrong you can only go down from the maximum. Also, the effects of several different bad circumstances are additive, meaning that the more insults a person experiences the lower the effective IQ. <br /><br />What this means is that if a child is adopted into a stable, loving, and economically viable situation, they are more likely to end up in the higher end of their personal reaction range.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-64861105384215927932016-08-18T10:38:22.897-05:002016-08-18T10:38:22.897-05:00Peter, the difference in the Swedish study of the ...Peter, the difference in the Swedish study of the adopted children verses their non-adopted siblings was of 5 points, not even a full standard deviation. So while adoption has a minimal effect in potentially boosting IQ scores a little higher, IQ is still mainly determined by the genetic mother's IQ. So adopting a 70 IQ kid from Africa will make them 75 at best...still mentally retarded in comparison to a White or Asian population. <br /><br />Education isn't enough and won't fix things in the short term. They need a long period of eugenic evolution to raise the average IQ to something similar to that of Euros and NE Asians.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-28703272774395900952016-08-18T10:16:54.962-05:002016-08-18T10:16:54.962-05:00Which fits Tuchman's observation that during t...Which fits Tuchman's observation that during the Middle Ages, the ruling class displayed a great lack of impulse control and ability to delay gratification, and that class supplied the violence in medieval society but not much of the innovation and invention.RustyGunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07607539523531544524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-54246513775637306172016-08-18T10:03:33.536-05:002016-08-18T10:03:33.536-05:00Intelligence, Canadian First Nations Indians and R...Intelligence, Canadian First Nations Indians and Reality a change of words but it sure works same thing going on. Very good article all need to read this is happening in our own countries!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-35394341111923186802016-08-18T10:00:14.206-05:002016-08-18T10:00:14.206-05:00I think you are describing two different phenomena...I think you are describing two different phenomena.<br /><br />Intelligence is different than being able to defer gratification.<br /><br />Inability to defer gratification is the default we are born with and has a long history of failed results. Gen 25:29-33 comes to mind.<br /><br />From what I have seen, people with ADHD have a very hard time delaying gratification.<br /><br />From what I have seen, people living in chaotic environments where private property is not protected also do not delay gratification. What is the point of deferring consumption? It only gives bullies and sneaks more time to steal it.<br />Eaton Rapids Joehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09102166969915526172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-66276763913848995912016-08-18T09:59:30.988-05:002016-08-18T09:59:30.988-05:00Because IQ statistics apply to the population and ...Because IQ statistics apply to the population and aren't probative for individuals, and because IQ reflects lots of factors. The average IQ for a country doesn't mean the highest and lowest IQs are similarly displaced from global averages, just that the distribution curve peaks lower or higher. There are African geniuses and Hong Kong Chinese morons, you just don't run into as many of either as the global curve would suggest, and when compiling anecdotal evidence of individual performance, I doubt you'd even notice the disparityRustyGunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07607539523531544524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-3235972485036421532016-08-18T09:10:37.051-05:002016-08-18T09:10:37.051-05:00@Sam: I'm aware that 'most scholars in ps...@Sam: I'm aware that 'most scholars in psychometric' differ from my opinion. However, if they're right, why do adopted kids from the Third World show similar IQ levels to their First World families when they grow up? That can't possibly be genetic - it's got to be educational and environmental.Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-15570851074668511192016-08-18T09:03:51.646-05:002016-08-18T09:03:51.646-05:00This is a great article and no need to comment exc...This is a great article and no need to comment except for your view that it is not genetic:<br /><br /> "Let me say at once that I don't blame this on African genetic ancestry. I blame it largely on lack of education. If you look at Europe as it came out of the Middle Ages and entered the Renaissance, I daresay the average IQ in that continent was probably very similar to what we see in Africa today."<br /><br />If you've read the literature you must know that most scholars in psychometric believe the divergences in IQ happened thousand of years before the Middle Ages. I don't doubt that as evolution speeded up(Cochran & Harpending) that the Middle Ages and after helped give some IQ points to Europeans. However I think it is misguided to compare the Middle Ages with Africa today and use that as a benchmark. The medieval period produced many inventions, discoveries, philosophical break throughs as well as scientific advancements. In contrast Africa was even more backward before Europeans came. If anything, colonization speeded up the social evolution of Africa. The many conservative minded people who pleaded that Africa was not ready for decolonization in the post-WWII were completely correct in retrospect and any casual acceptance of IQ research would have predicted the immediate civilizational collapse that happened afterwards.<br /><br />Nonetheless, I think many of your solutions will are very sensible and the first step in coming to grips with what the IQ difference means and how to handle it. I would only add that contraceptives and a campaign against too much procreation is paramount.Samnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-11539123117312109902016-08-18T08:30:46.722-05:002016-08-18T08:30:46.722-05:00I think that these concepts also apply to the Amer...I think that these concepts also apply to the American inner cities!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-24628720944511791332016-08-18T08:14:06.276-05:002016-08-18T08:14:06.276-05:00I want to commend your clear statement "To ba...I want to commend your clear statement "To bad, I'm not responsible for the facts." Facts are facts, and prevailing political correctness can't change them and denying them only makes the world more dangerous.<br /><br />Cogsysnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-64617502192305594782016-08-18T07:52:13.503-05:002016-08-18T07:52:13.503-05:00Well, I am sure I'll be called racist for this...Well, I am sure I'll be called racist for this, but don't some of America's inner cities mirror what you've said about Africa?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-3246127584568918022016-08-18T07:14:35.325-05:002016-08-18T07:14:35.325-05:00I can remember reading some of Kim's more tren...I can remember reading some of Kim's more trenchant comments on the state of Africa, as well as some of Lawdog's remarks as well.<br /><br />Like our esteemed host, I think the problem is baked into the culture, and only through a cultural shift are the issues going to be fixed. That applies to both Africa AND here.<br /><br />It amuses me that Vox Day linked to your post, as VD became somewhat ornery when I asked in a comment on his blog, 'Is it race or is it culture?'. Ol' Voxalicious just doesn't handle being questioned very well, judging from his response. The irony was that I admitted that it didn't matter in the short term -- any fixes were going to have to be drastic and probably brutal, regardless of what the causes were.Toastridernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-31192445435955704902016-08-18T03:10:51.120-05:002016-08-18T03:10:51.120-05:00@Rusty Gunner: Mike Hoare is still alive, but an ...@Rusty Gunner: Mike Hoare is still alive, but an old man and retired. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hoare for more information.<br /><br />I've read 'Let Africa Sink' (although, as you'll have read above, I have different ideas). You can read Kim's essay at http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/924795/posts .Peterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10595089829300831372noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-53160243554185231402016-08-17T23:14:59.403-05:002016-08-17T23:14:59.403-05:00I think Mike Hoare is still above ground, I wonder...I think Mike Hoare is still above ground, I wonder if he would get involved?<br /><br />Kim du Toit wrote a paper some years back called "Let Africa Sink", which is along the lines of what you've written but rather more pessimistic. It's out there on the Internet, have you read it, Peter?RustyGunnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07607539523531544524noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-46165497917330619502016-08-17T23:02:35.150-05:002016-08-17T23:02:35.150-05:00excellent food for thought, Peter. Reframing the p...excellent food for thought, Peter. Reframing the problem as can't vs won't in regard to ability opens up a whole new spectrum of strategies to deal with the misery and atrocities taking place in Africa and other third world countries.<br /><br />One of the biggest hurdles is getting people to even look at it this way. Too many people want simple, linear answers when humanity is anything but simple and linear. The other hurdle would be getting people to look at things as they are--and meeting people where they actually are--rather than expecting everyone's needs and abilities to be the same as our own. Western culture has been warped by people who demand that reality conform to people's preferred ideological Utopias or else (see: SJWs and the ruling elites) that they can't properly address the problems because their perceptions aren't even on the same planet. In a lot of ways, the emperor is not only naked, but stark raving mad.<br /><br />It's frustrating that the answers are there to at least mitigate a lot of human suffering that goes on, but those that have the power to actually do something to address the problem, as opposed to simply throwing money into a bottomless pit so they can pat themselves on the back for Doing Something, refuse to take of their rainbow colored blinders and actually look at what's there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-26218891858619928892016-08-17T22:41:47.996-05:002016-08-17T22:41:47.996-05:00probably the most rational analysis of the situati...probably the most rational analysis of the situation I've seen. My question is can anything but tribal rule last long enough to start the cultural change necessary? By that I mean tribal nations instead of the mish-mash of tribal groups in European imposed boundaries. mark leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05664390381774473222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6244999628674918029.post-33779533142546618192016-08-17T21:57:40.459-05:002016-08-17T21:57:40.459-05:00I hope you are ready for more comments than on any...I hope you are ready for more comments than on any other article, all howling for your blood. Yowza!<br /><br />Daviddoofushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01013708641448832087noreply@blogger.com