James Watson's comments re: race and intelligence

[woot]

Originally Posted by TripletDaddy

He does seem to reference data and testing as the basis for his opinion. As a matter of fact, he uses the phrase "ALL the testing," implying that there is a myriad of data to support his opinion.

The article also refutes his claim by referencing other scientists who call these theories genetic nonsense.

basically, this entire article carries the underlying implication that both sides have conducted extensive research and experimentation on the topic...enough to lead to strong opinions. Let's have the data!

Or maybe I am reading too much into it?

Admittedly, his "employees" comment is bizarre.

I fear that such research wouldn't find funding, or that the results would be suppressed if the findings didn't support complete equality. It really does make sense to me that there is enough separation that we likely would see some differences, and indeed I think we do in athletic performance, so it's likely we'd see differences in other areas as well. I don't know how important these differences are, but anything that gives us a better understanding of human evolution is very important, and these types of studies could do just that.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by woot

I fear that such research wouldn't find funding, or that the results would be suppressed if the findings didn't support complete equality. It really does make sense to me that there is enough separation that we likely would see some differences, and indeed I think we do in athletic performance, so it's likely we'd see differences in other areas as well. I don't know how important these differences are, but anything that gives us a better understanding of human evolution is very important, and these types of studies could do just that.

It seems ironic that race-research would likely not find funding for fear that the results would indicate racial differences.

It is a charged issue, to be sure.

Part of me says that if you are bright enough to discover the double helix and the blueprint of all life, then maybe you have some other interesting findings in your little bag of tricks....

Then again, maybe you are an old man and say racist things, like my grandmother does sometimes. I love her, though. And she makes a MEAN red beans and rice. racism...Yum!

[SteelBlue]

Here's the latest:

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe...ogy/index.html

"I cannot understand how I could have said what I am quoted as having said," Watson said during an appearance at the Royal Society in London.

[UtahDan]

Imagine that it really is true that Africa descent correlates to lower IQ. I have no reason to believe that, but assume for a moment that this is the case. Does any one really want to know that? I have a feeling that many are so ideologically committed to the idea that every is basically the same that no evidence would convince them the contrary is true.

I also think it is appropriate to ask what possible value that information could have. I can't think of any off hand.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by UtahDan

I also think it is appropriate to ask what possible value that information could have. I can't think of any off hand.

Well, for starters, if it can be established that IQ is race-related, it would certainly add an interesting new wrinkle to affirmative action programs. In essence, what this research would be saying is, "You are descended from Africa, therefore you are genetically unable to compete consistently with your Caucasian counterparts."

It would also add some insight into Dennis Green's "The Bears Are who we thought they were" rant.

The bigger issue is, how much longer until this dude's face completely decomposes? Will it happen in time for Halloween or does he officially ruin the Holidays by showing up at Christmas as The Crypt Keeper? Those are some seriously fugly double helixes he is rocking right now.

[woot]

Originally Posted by UtahDan

Imagine that it really is true that Africa descent correlates to lower IQ. I have no reason to believe that, but assume for a moment that this is the case. Does any one really want to know that? I have a feeling that many are so ideologically committed to the idea that every is basically the same that no evidence would convince them the contrary is true.

I also think it is appropriate to ask what possible value that information could have. I can't think of any off hand.

My interest would be the implications it would have as far as the selective pressures operating on different groups of people over the last hundred thousand years or so. It should be noted that the term "race" is probably somewhat of a misnomer, due to the very close relationship between all Homo sapiens, and that any difference in intellect is unlikely to be large.

Also, even if they somehow figure out that the average black IQ is a couple points lower, there will still be a ton of black people that are smarter than the average white person, so it still wouldn't justify racism of any kind. I'm frankly more interested to know if there are significant differences in specific areas, such as spacial reasoning ability, sense of direction, communicative ability, etc., as it seems that absolute intellect would be more difficult to correlate with selective pressures.

I do agree that outside of academic interests, the average yokel learning this sort of information is probably not a good thing.

[SoonerCoug]

Comparing IQs among races is totally pointless. The potential harm far outweighs the potential benefit to humanity.

[non sequitur]

Originally Posted by SoonerCoug

Comparing IQs among races is totally pointless. The potential harm far outweighs the potential benefit to humanity.

I agree that we shouldn't formally compare IQs. Why give the Jews and the Asians a reason to gloat?

[creekster]

I can't believe you guys. This has been studied a lot over the years. There are many studies that show the differences in 'races' (and Woot is right, it is a pretty much menaingless term genetically speaking) is negligible if it exists at all. There was a book that talked about this (although somewhat indirectly) a few years ago (look up The Bell Curve) that was thoroughly debunked. In fact, Jared Diamond's excellent book Guns, Germs and Steel is, in part, a response to the Bell Curve.

I am quite frankly disappointed that Watson's crackpot musings would be givien any credence here at all. He is senile and this is not the first time in recent years that he has said outrageous things.

[Indy Coug]

He just apologized

http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe...ogy/index.html