I do think intelligence is less clearly defined than it could be, and I’ve complained in the past that the definition people often use is optimized more for prediction than independent validity.
However, I think the different definitions are sufficiently correlated that it’s reasonable to us to sometimes speak of it as one thing. Consider an analogy to “humor.” Humor means different things to different people, and there’s not a widely agreed upon culture-free definition, but still it seems “I’m not funny enough to be a professional standup comedian” is a reasonable thing to say.
And my guess is that the different definitions of intelligence are more tightly correlated than different definitions (or different perspectives on) humor.
I also disagree with the implication (which rereading, you did not say outright. So perhaps I misread you) that intelligence (and merit-based systems in general) is racist. If anything, I find the idea that merit-based measurements is racist or white supremacist to be itself kind of a racist idea, not to mention condescending to nonwhites.
I agree that intelligence has environmental components. I’m not sure why this is relevant here however.
When I brought up the subject of intelligence and its definitions, it came as a result of what Olivia comments about not feeling or looking intelligent for EA and how (in your comment) your fact fourth can be understood. What I mean is, that if she (speaking in ultra-simplified and quite relative terms) is less smart than the average EA, it does not mean that she will always be less smart.
Leaving the door open to the learning and growth of possible intelligence that may be underdeveloped could be a valid option for Olivia, but I do not see that option in your comment. I do not see that you are trying to pull that idea of personal and intellectual growth.
That is, she may not know about something and has the right to learn about it, at her own pace. Perhaps in the future, she will discover in herself an expert in some of all this, but how can we know if we do not give her that option?
I also disagree with the implication (which rereading, you did not say outright. So perhaps I misread you) that intelligence (and merit-based systems in general) is racist.
Here you have really misunderstood what I said, as I mentioned before:
Actually, my intention was not focused at any time to bring up the issue of racism or eugenics, but more in terms of how within the EA community intelligence is conceptualized and defined as a means to measure oneself between the group and the others. I believe this, thinking about it, is a good idea to write about it in this forum.
Lastly, on the merit-based system, I think we can have a more distant opinion, and if you ever want to talk about it in more depth, I think this forum has private messages for it.
I do think intelligence is less clearly defined than it could be, and I’ve complained in the past that the definition people often use is optimized more for prediction than independent validity.
However, I think the different definitions are sufficiently correlated that it’s reasonable to us to sometimes speak of it as one thing. Consider an analogy to “humor.” Humor means different things to different people, and there’s not a widely agreed upon culture-free definition, but still it seems “I’m not funny enough to be a professional standup comedian” is a reasonable thing to say.
And my guess is that the different definitions of intelligence are more tightly correlated than different definitions (or different perspectives on) humor.
I also disagree with the implication (which rereading, you did not say outright. So perhaps I misread you) that intelligence (and merit-based systems in general) is racist. If anything, I find the idea that merit-based measurements is racist or white supremacist to be itself kind of a racist idea, not to mention condescending to nonwhites.
I agree that intelligence has environmental components. I’m not sure why this is relevant here however.
Hi Linch! Thanks for your comment
When I brought up the subject of intelligence and its definitions, it came as a result of what Olivia comments about not feeling or looking intelligent for EA and how (in your comment) your fact fourth can be understood. What I mean is, that if she (speaking in ultra-simplified and quite relative terms) is less smart than the average EA, it does not mean that she will always be less smart.
Leaving the door open to the learning and growth of possible intelligence that may be underdeveloped could be a valid option for Olivia, but I do not see that option in your comment. I do not see that you are trying to pull that idea of personal and intellectual growth.
That is, she may not know about something and has the right to learn about it, at her own pace. Perhaps in the future, she will discover in herself an expert in some of all this, but how can we know if we do not give her that option?
Here you have really misunderstood what I said, as I mentioned before:
Lastly, on the merit-based system, I think we can have a more distant opinion, and if you ever want to talk about it in more depth, I think this forum has private messages for it.