[tw1010]

We can keep playing the "maybe there are other factors besides DNA that could explain small differences in IQ"-game until the cow comes home. The sad thing is that eventually we'll probably find some genuine correlation between genes and some measure of intelligence (controlling for every other conceivable factor). (Maybe we won't, but I wouldn't bet on it in a prediction market.) Not sure what'll happen once that day comes.

[hn_throwaway_99]

> The sad thing is that eventually we'll probably find some genuine correlation between genes and some measure of intelligence (controlling for every conceivable other factor).

Why is this sad, and isn't it obvious that we already have? I mean, it's been well proven that humans are smarter than many other species, even when those animals are raised in "human-like" conditions.

It seems completely obvious to me that, since we see genetic-based differences even within species in numerous traits (height, strength, speed, memorization ability, etc.), why would we think intelligence would be any different.

[fastball]

It's sad because it's great fodder for racists that want to divide human society based on race.

[foldr]

You shouldn't conflate genetic factors with racial factors. Race has nothing much to do with genes, so the existence of genetic factors influencing IQ does not entail anything about IQ and race.