[ClearCase_guy]

We would know a lot more about human potential if we could do actual testing for intelligence and other human qualities, without worrying that scientific proof might be found that some demographic groups are inferior in some areas (academics and self-control) while perhaps being superior in other areas (jumping and running).

The fear of knowing holds us back.

[CitizenUSA]

I get your point but what would one do with that knowledge? Just because a given ethnicity is generally more intelligent than another, doesn’t mean that individual members of that group aren’t also very intelligent. Get rid of quotas and extra efforts to recruit people into areas that they aren’t necessarily interested or talented in, and individuals will go as far as their own skills take them. But you don’t need to know general traits of a given group to make those changes. Not saying we shouldn’t test for those things, but the information shouldn’t change how we treat individuals.

[Cronos]

it's history and culture that defines -- the groups that for centuries saw knowledge as a way to succeed are the ones that are the brainiest:

• European Jews (not so much Yemeni Jews) that for centuries were not allowed to farm or other trades and just had to live off their wits
• Indian brahmins and vaishyas (trader) castes
• Chinese mandarin families
• Armenian traders

And then there are groups where you had to be physically strong and athletic to succeed:

• Maoris, Samoans are stronger and bigger than their cousins the Filipinos as one HAD to be strong to survive
• Sub-saharan Africans who were taken as slaves were chosen for their physical capabilities and only the hardiest survived the journey and the slave life, so native-African-origin peoples dominate physical sports in the USA except running long distance
• Ethiopians and SOmalis for long-distance running

Even if you narrow this to just European-origin peoples you would find that Germanics and Nordics are stronger than Italians or GReeks