Replies

I said,

Interesting. But don't those examples still appear to suggest more of a culturally-driven phenomenon?

It seems we'll always see ups and downs in the # and expression of great minds, depending on the circumstances in which men live.

You reply,

I think you are suggesting the cart pulling the horse. Culture is created by brain power--the more complex and mentally stimulating the culture, the more brain power evidenced by those who created it.

Well, even you say "there is an ongoing interaction. And the culture will certainly influence how the individual develops."

I don't disagree that we are going through a dumbing down of our gene pool, but I think it's a result of cultural factors - as even your example of the Welfare State dumbing down the American population shows.

I think, like the article suggests, whether it's war, famine, or political systems, it only takes a few intellectuals to set up that favorable or unfavorable conditions for many more intellectuals to thrive.

I think, like the article suggests, whether it's war, famine, or political systems, it only takes a few intellectuals to set up that favorable or unfavorable conditions for many more intellectuals to thrive.

But it does not breed those capable of thriving, overnight. Yes, by selective breeding patterns, you can begin to build up the gene pool again. Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher both improved the conditions for intellectuals to thrive, but they did not undo the damage done by two generations of Socialism that preceded them--and, of course in the British example, the most extreme damage was done by a combination of the battle fields in early World War I--they had an all volunteer army, staffed by those most steeped in traditional values, and with the higher levels of intelligence--and the brain drain to the Dominions and Rhodesia, etc..

And once a nation is depleted below a certain level, it is very, very difficult for leaders to secure conditions for those remaining with higher levels of native intelligence to thrive. When they try, they run the risk of being treated like Bill Clinton treated General Cedras in Haiti. The world is full of demagogues, just waiting to appeal to mobs of ignorant folk, always ready to demonize those intellectuals, whom you imagine.

William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site