Study: Environment trumps genes

Written by Mac Diva
Published March 27, 2004
page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Rick Heller of Smart Genes, also a strong supporter of this blog, suggests additional reading on the topic of heritability, H. Allen Orr's review of Matt Ridley's Nature via Nurture: Genes, Experience, and What Makes Us Human.

Part of the significance of Turkheimer's study is that it will lead to others which will hopefully bolster the realization that tangible intervention in the lives of poor children can improve their lives for the longrun. Contrary to the delusional thinking of white supremacists, a child who reads well at seven will not have forgotten how at 27 because of the melanin content of his skin. When I was a poor child in Lumbee land, my third grade teacher, Ms. Ross, took it upon herself to supply me with books for the rest of my elementary school career. Though I learned to read at four and had jaw-droppingly high IQ scores, our home held little that was stimulating for bright children, as all five of us were. I believe that kind of intervention, on a large scale, and not out of a schoolteacher's wallet, can make a difference. If real reform comes, the entire society will reap its rewards.

Note: A version of this entry also appeared at Silver Rights.

page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Keep reading for information and comments on this article, and add some feedback of your own!
Study: Environment trumps genes
Published: March 27, 2004
Type:
Section: Politics
Writer: Mac Diva
Mac Diva's BC Writer page
Mac Diva's personal site
Spread the Word
Like this article?
Email this
Submit to del.icio.us Save to del.icio.us
RSS Feeds
All RSS Feeds (240+)
Comments on this article
BC articles by Mac Diva
All Politics Articles
All BC articles
All BC Comments

Comments

#1 — March 27, 2004 @ 16:38PM — Hal Pawluk [URL]

Good piece, MD, and I agree with your conclusion: this is one area where government intervention in the form of some cash and a lot of common sense would benefit the entire society.

As to "The Bell Curve," I hadn't realized anyone was still taking it seriously. This country definitely needs education (pre- and post-school).

#2 — March 27, 2004 @ 19:49PM — Dan

Any vewpoint, divergent from the racial fundamentalist progressive one, is sure to draw an unpleasant wail of rightous indignation from certain zealous elements here at B.C.

#3 — March 27, 2004 @ 19:56PM — Dan

OK, Here is a tame question. Why would it be, that white supremacists would think asians their intellectual superiors? Are they just happy being second best? Is it a trick? to make their story more plausible?

#4 — March 27, 2004 @ 20:05PM — Sandra Smallson

Hmm. Environment trumps genes. I could not agree more and I believe I made this very point although on another totally different topic ( whether homosexuality is genetic) and some of you argued against it. If it's sauce for the goose, it's sauce for the gander. We can not agree with it only when it suits our opinions.

It is what it is. I could not agree more with this conclusion.

#5 — March 27, 2004 @ 20:21PM — Mac Diva [URL]

I was one of the people who said the nature v. nurture issue is far from resolved in regard to homosexuality, Sandra. My inclination is to think both genes and environment are involved. But, I don't know in what degrees.

White supremacists sometimes say gays are smarter than whites, but they don't mean Asians are superior to whites. They limit the 'smarter than,' remarks to certain areas of intelligence tests. Then, they go on to declare Asians inferior in other ways. A favorite is to say they are 'little brown brothers,' who can't govern themselves and need "Great White Fathers' to do so for them. That has been the underlying basis for colonialism and imperialism in Asia, as well as in Africa.

People like Dan Precht (who believes Rosa Parks might have deserved an assault she suffered), Al Barger, Blog Bloke, etc., are superior persons according to the white is right lobby. The rest of us are children of a lesser God who should accept their leadership. It is a conclusion that is both pitiful and laughable.

#6 — March 27, 2004 @ 20:30PM — Sandra Smallson

Hold on just a second, Macdiva. Al Barger? A superior person? What on earth are you on? What are you smoking? Or what are you popping?;) Will it help me sleep? I VANT ZE name now! and the dealer/doctor. LOL..goodness! mmmm..that's relaxed me a tad. I'll drink some tea and then I will probably sleep easy, quietly amused.

I mean the mere thought of Al Barger as a superior person..lol..if I wasn't so tired, I would be in hysterics. Might do another run through of the above tomorrow. Just for amusement value.

#7 — March 27, 2004 @ 20:56PM — Mac Diva [URL]

Yes, Sandra. According to the white supremacists, we should look up to the Al Bargers of the world. That in itself, is adequate to show they are out of their minds.

#8 — March 27, 2004 @ 21:00PM — Dan

I'm pretty sure Al Barger doesn't even care about such a thing as superiority. His graceful humbleness precludes him from concern. You would never hear him go on about having a "jaw droppingly high IQ score", for instance.

#9 — March 27, 2004 @ 21:10PM — Mac Diva [URL]

(Snickering.) I should think not. Al Barger is not a smart man by any reasonable measure.

#10 — March 27, 2004 @ 23:54PM — jason lives

MD it is so typical of you to bash people like the Bloke when he's not even here to defend himself. Nowhere have I read anything that could even remotely justify the sorry crap that oozes from your putrid mouth. Yes this is certainly a compelling post. Even more telling is the volumes that it speaks about your sorry ass. If ever there was an argument for low IQ and environment you certainly are the benchmark from which all others are measured (snicker :).

#11 — March 28, 2004 @ 03:20AM — Mac Diva [URL]

The sock puppet has spoken.

#12 — February 26, 2007 @ 18:24PM — Mystery

Good piece, MD, and I agree with your conclusion: this is one area where government intervention in the form of some cash and a lot of common sense would benefit the entire society.

As to "The Bell Curve," I hadn't realized anyone was still taking it seriously. This country definitely needs education (pre- and post-school).

Any vewpoint, divergent from the racial fundamentalist progressive one, is sure to draw an unpleasant wail of rightous indignation from certain zealous elements here at B.C.

OK, Here is a tame question. Why would it be, that white supremacists would think asians their intellectual superiors? Are they just happy being second best? Is it a trick? to make their story more plausible?

Hmm. Environment trumps genes. I could not agree more and I believe I made this very point although on another totally different topic ( whether homosexuality is genetic) and some of you argued against it. If it's sauce for the goose, it's sauce for the gander. We can not agree with it only when it suits our opinions.

It is what it is. I could not agree more with this conclusion.

I was one of the people who said the nature v. nurture issue is far from resolved in regard to homosexuality, Sandra. My inclination is to think both genes and environment are involved. But, I don't know in what degrees.

White supremacists sometimes say gays are smarter than whites, but they don't mean Asians are superior to whites. They limit the 'smarter than,' remarks to certain areas of intelligence tests. Then, they go on to declare Asians inferior in other ways. A favorite is to say they are 'little brown brothers,' who can't govern themselves and need "Great White Fathers' to do so for them. That has been the underlying basis for colonialism and imperialism in Asia, as well as in Africa.

People like Dan Precht (who believes Rosa Parks might have deserved an assault she suffered), Al Barger, Blog Bloke, etc., are superior persons according to the white is right lobby. The rest of us are children of a lesser God who should accept their leadership. It is a conclusion that is both pitiful and laughable.

Hold on just a second, Macdiva. Al Barger? A superior person? What on earth are you on? What are you smoking? Or what are you popping?;) Will it help me sleep? I VANT ZE name now! and the dealer/doctor. LOL..goodness! mmmm..that's relaxed me a tad. I'll drink some tea and then I will probably sleep easy, quietly amused.

I mean the mere thought of Al Barger as a superior person..lol..if I wasn't so tired, I would be in hysterics. Might do another run through of the above tomorrow. Just for amusement value.

Yes, Sandra. According to the white supremacists, we should look up to the Al Bargers of the world. That in itself, is adequate to show they are out of their minds.

I'm pretty sure Al Barger doesn't even care about such a thing as superiority. His graceful humbleness precludes him from concern. You would never hear him go on about having a "jaw droppingly high IQ score", for instance. (Snickering.) I should think not. Al Barger is not a smart man by any reasonable measure.

MD it is so typical of you to bash people like the Bloke when he's not even here to defend himself. [Personal attack deleted]

The sock puppet has spoken.

What is this story about???

#13 — February 26, 2007 @ 19:38PM — Dan

"What is this story about???"

Scientific denial, anger, and racial resentment.

Want comments emailed to you? No spam, promise! Address:

Add your comment, speak your mind

(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/14108)

Personal attacks are not allowed. Please read our comment policy.





Remember Name/URL?

Please preview your comment!

Fresh
Articles
Fresh
Comments