I had a tweet about IQ go viral. There's some serious cognitive dissonance in the world about excellence, exceptionalism, and merit. This is what some have started calling "tyranny of the mid."
David, Kudos for being brave about being smart! For 12 months now , I have been into AI, and your videos, along with Lex Fridman’s are the best for ”Speed Enlightenment”. Yours on Latent Space Activation is unique. Hope you’ll be active to guide us through the continubiquitous TsunamiTornado of 2025. Cheers!
Great piece. At 59, paying attention to society along the way, the political Left (~middle school emotional dynamics) has managed to impact norms profoundly. We did celebrate exceptionalism before, often quite bluntly. I received a few blue ribbons, but also some other ones neither I or anyone else remember. We were all leaning forward, eager to reach for more. But now, "egalitarian ideals" rule the day. The ship has capsized and we're sitting on the keel, waiting for rescue.
Thanks. I was actually first turned on to how society reacts to exceptionalism by missives from history, such as during the Victorian and Roosevelt eras. People were extremely blunt about how bright (or dim) people were. It was not a taboo to comment on how sharp someone's wit was. Now it's taboo for some reason (as explained). So yeah, I take your point that this is a new hangup.
Good read. However, I'm interested to know why you're glad that RFK is going to health czar. For example, what do you make of his claim that atrazine induces sexual change in children?
That IQ chart is a bit suspicious. I challenge you to find one electrical engineer with a degree from an accredited college with an IQ of 95. You simply cannot pass those classes on hard work alone.
As someone who lacks a PHd but has had many PHd’s work for them over the years, I’d personally prefer a world where we measured people more by intelligence and experience than educational accomplishments. Regardless of my personal opinion on the subject I feel like it’s important that you, and everyone else, should be free to have whatever opinion you want even if it doesn’t align with my opinion. Growth comes from the diversity of opinions you’re exposed to not the similarities. I’d personally rather not feel like I’m living in an echo chamber.
My wife says much the same thing. When we first met, I noticed there was "more going on under the hood" and she took a while to warm up and actually show her full intellect to me. She had gotten used to be being beaten down (verbally, emotionally) for daring to have opinions. On college campus, boys would short circuit when she had more well-informed views than them. So she just got used to hiding it. And yes, fuck all that noise. It's stupid and it wastes human potential.
David, Kudos for being brave about being smart! For 12 months now , I have been into AI, and your videos, along with Lex Fridman’s are the best for ”Speed Enlightenment”. Yours on Latent Space Activation is unique. Hope you’ll be active to guide us through the continubiquitous TsunamiTornado of 2025. Cheers!
Re : Meritocracy and eugenics. Look up Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew
Great piece. At 59, paying attention to society along the way, the political Left (~middle school emotional dynamics) has managed to impact norms profoundly. We did celebrate exceptionalism before, often quite bluntly. I received a few blue ribbons, but also some other ones neither I or anyone else remember. We were all leaning forward, eager to reach for more. But now, "egalitarian ideals" rule the day. The ship has capsized and we're sitting on the keel, waiting for rescue.
Another bangin' submission, Dave. Nice!
Thanks. I was actually first turned on to how society reacts to exceptionalism by missives from history, such as during the Victorian and Roosevelt eras. People were extremely blunt about how bright (or dim) people were. It was not a taboo to comment on how sharp someone's wit was. Now it's taboo for some reason (as explained). So yeah, I take your point that this is a new hangup.
My Chinese (mainlander) wife tells me I'm fat today. I always know where I stand. Reality clearly in focus. Professional-grade bluntness.
Lol, it's like "well if you don't like me calling you fat have you tried not being fat?"
I've been studying Chinese and Japanese history and philosophy so that really resonates.
Good read. However, I'm interested to know why you're glad that RFK is going to health czar. For example, what do you make of his claim that atrazine induces sexual change in children?
A broken clock can be right twice a day.
That IQ chart is a bit suspicious. I challenge you to find one electrical engineer with a degree from an accredited college with an IQ of 95. You simply cannot pass those classes on hard work alone.
Creating a positive tribal referent around IQ? ;)
Or at least just any merit? Equality for the sake of equality is violence.
I agree. Tribal dynamics are working and usefull even though we are somewhat conscious of them.
The bat signal for Elon Musk has been lit 😉
As someone who lacks a PHd but has had many PHd’s work for them over the years, I’d personally prefer a world where we measured people more by intelligence and experience than educational accomplishments. Regardless of my personal opinion on the subject I feel like it’s important that you, and everyone else, should be free to have whatever opinion you want even if it doesn’t align with my opinion. Growth comes from the diversity of opinions you’re exposed to not the similarities. I’d personally rather not feel like I’m living in an echo chamber.
Love it.
I do not have an abrasive personality, I have abrasive behavior because of the way society treats people like me.
I think everyone should over-emphasize their self worth. Aren't we the generation of self esteem?
This is more social schizophrenia. "Have self esteem! No not like that!"
It's fucking idiotic.
My wife says much the same thing. When we first met, I noticed there was "more going on under the hood" and she took a while to warm up and actually show her full intellect to me. She had gotten used to be being beaten down (verbally, emotionally) for daring to have opinions. On college campus, boys would short circuit when she had more well-informed views than them. So she just got used to hiding it. And yes, fuck all that noise. It's stupid and it wastes human potential.