DNA Pioneer James Watson Quits Lab Post Amid Controversy(Accused of Racism)

Wall Street Journal ^ | 25 October 2007 | By GAUTAM NAIK

[IronJack]

Whether any of those realities is a function of innate intelligence, I can't say. But empirical data indicates that Africans score lower on IQ tests than Westerners, and IQ tests are creditable indicators of intelligence. So the (dispassionate) conclusion is that Africans are less intelligent than Westerners, who are in turn, less intelligent than Orientals and/or Jews.

Challenge the science if you will, but don't deny it simply because it makes you uncomfortable. (Addressing the editorial "you," not puroresu directly)

[allmendream]

But where is the cut off? If I.Q. score is a direct reflection on the ability to maintain a civil and productive society then why don’t we see Asian civilization topping the charts as far as corruption-free bastions of good governance? I don’t believe that the two things show a direct correlation, let alone causality.

[shrinkermd]

Yes, you are right. What Watson was condemned for is buttressed by the empirical literature. As long as this literature was in obscure academic journals no one said much. Now that it is out in the open and being discussed the academy is hunkering down and denying free discourse.

[junta]

Certainly a “magic” word.

[IronJack]

If I.Q. score is a direct reflection on the ability to maintain a civil and productive society then why don’t we see Asian civilization topping the charts as far as corruption-free bastions of good governance?

I don't know that you AREN'T! Japanese government is notably free from corruption, and its society as civil and productive as any on earth. The same is nearly true of South Korea. And the Chinese government is certainly no more corrupt than our own or the French or German or English governments.

I don’t believe that the two things show a direct correlation, let alone causality.

I think decent government is influenced by a number of factors -- economics, cultural solidarity, common tradition -- but one of those factors is the intelligence of the people ruling and the people being ruled. It is more likely that a nation of idiots will be run by wise men than a nation of wise men will be ruled by idiots.

However, it is dangerous to assume that the rulers of any society represent that society's best and brightest. Our own government is a perfect example. For the most part, the people in "public service" are mediocre.

[allmendream]

Well Japan is pretty good, but China is hopelessly corrupt and always has been. The only good civil servant the Last Emperor had was an Englishman. Then there is Thailand, Philippines, North Korea, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. None of these is a bastion of good governance. It seems that high I.Q. and good governance do not go hand in hand if one looks at Asian nations.

[SunkenCiv]

‘Black people are less intelligent than whites’, claims DNA pioneer
(James Watson)
Daily Mail | 10/17/07
Posted on 10/17/2007 4:36:52 AM EDT by TigerLikesRooster
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1912331/posts