[ffusco]

Factors like intelligence, manners, and initiative are cultural, not genetic. Western culture values these things, so they are encouraged.

[Modernman]

Factors like intelligence, manners, and initiative are cultural, not genetic. Western culture values these things, so they are encouraged.

Exactly.

[Cronos]

Factors like intelligence, manners, and initiative are cultural, not genetic. Western culture values these things, so they are encouraged.

Ok, intelligence. Eastern cultures have dominated 'intellectual' stuff for millenia up until the industrial era and are doing so again. Manners, well, the Japanese have always been highly mannered. Arabs display impeccable manners and hospitality to their guests. Initiative, hmm.. how can you say Egyptians, Persians, Assyrians, Phoenicians, Indians, Chinese, etc. have or had no initiative?

[Dan Evans]

Factors like intelligence, manners, and initiative are cultural, not genetic. Western culture values these things, so they are encouraged.

Cultural factors encourage genetic effects -- and the process is recursive. Jewish mothers encourage their daughters to marry intelligent (and wealthy) men. As a result, Jews tend to be more intelligent.

[cyborg]

Don't exhaust yourself presenting the obvious.