Interesting thread Evangelos. Curious as to what genotyping approach you used for your self-investigation (commercial?), and then against what pool/background are SNPs called out? Has deCODE with their very broad access to the Icelandic population base approached these questions? Good that you recognize this to be a very sensitive study area to navigate socially and emotionally.

IQ philosophy? I understand the fandom but have to admit I’m rather scathing of the concept of measuring the ineffable and so too what is commonly considered intelligence. I’ll even go so far as to say I’m no buyer of Intelligence Quotient. After all in order to define one must first refine which is ultimately the art of reduction. Something we do to see what is complex within more reasonable focus. To this end we limit criteria. To this end we simplify. But I wonder what we lose in the wider scale in looking too specifically at what perhaps should not be specified?

Surely there is nothing constant about who we are or how we function let alone how we think and see the world, which alters to fit circumstance that in turn alter to fit the precarious nature of existence.

There is no one shape fits all definition for intelligence it comes along in several ways. For example, to state two obvious types, we have logic but also intuitive intelligence. This latter genius is the intellectual sense that allows comprehension without reason. It is also the realm of the unexpected conclusion, which comes from that unique point within intellectual faculty where something can be realised that might not have occurred before.

In a sense this is the font of true intelligence for it is where innovation in perception takes place, which are the leaps in insight that often transcend linear logic.

Unfortunately my brain is about as constant as my bowels (I wonder if there is some kind of cosmic joke at play) and just like my bowels eating well and drinking more water helps slick the action. If I miss my morning coffee or a meal or drink too alcohol I can stumble over opening the door to my car.

On the other hand I’ve lived within famine and drought, and downright self-abusing practices in pleasure to find my intelligence crystallise sharper than brilliantly cut diamond to pierce the heart of any issue. In this regard I am more of an intuitive smart-ass because most of the time I simply know things and do not have to fathom them out.

I doubt intelligence is as straightforward as implied by IQ. I doubt measuring intelligence according to how well a mind reaches its conclusions in a clinical test proves anything other than how it did in those conditions at that time. The human mind is a cosmos of intellectual complexity employing many conscious and subconscious parts to provide its problem solving talent.

Besides, the premise to quantify is flawed. Is not this idea of measurement ultimately an artificial concept and construct, something we use to establish a particular type of rationality? The data produced would have no significance beyond what it means within itself, and thus no significance beyond this?

I believe to think outside the ‘box’ is the point of intelligence. I also believe measurement meaningless where there is no limit.

I wonder what would we know and what would become of our understanding based upon prescribed prescription should we ever encourage true intellectual autonomy within the sentient mind?

I am for the vaster significance and broader outlook. I leave you good folk to your introspection and happy time..

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222161843.htm

ScienceDaily (Feb. 23, 2010) — A collaborative team of neuroscientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California (USC), and the Autonomous University of Madrid have mapped the brain structures that affect general intelligence.

Thanks Quick. I’ll continue with a speed analogy I think. [My comment will be quicker though 🙂 ]

What if everyone already has innate 200 IQ raw score equivalent capability (arbitrary 2010 base year)? What if we all already stand in the middle of our “fields of diamonds”? What if we all already own “Ferraris”, but only <0.1% of population is anywhere near close to figuring out how to drive it? So only 0.1% of us actually drive said Ferrari beyond 20mph.

Shouldn't we be focussed on learning to drive better, before we place false hope in a newer, shinier and more powerful "sports car" to magically whizz us along "faster"?

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222161843.htm

ScienceDaily (Feb. 23, 2010) — A collaborative team of neuroscientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California (USC), and the Autonomous University of Madrid have mapped the brain structures that affect general intelligence.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/02/100222161843.htm

ScienceDaily (Feb. 23, 2010) — A collaborative team of neuroscientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the University of Iowa, the University of Southern California (USC), and the Autonomous University of Madrid have mapped the brain structures that affect general intelligence.

With the genes to intellectual performance identified, one wonders if this would lead to Science trying to tap the said genes to further enhance man’s intelligence. What else could man discover next?