How to become smarter: Is it possible? | Richard Haier and Lex Fridman

Lex Fridman Podcast full episode: • Richard Haier: IQ Test...
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GUEST BIO:
Richard Haier is a psychologist specializing in the science of human intelligence.
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[@jacktinney]

“The only real test of intelligence is if you know how to get what you want out of life.” -Naval I reject that intelligence can’t make you happier. Learning makes me happier, makes me smarter.

[@Dooshanche]

well boy oh boy am I a stupid one then :(

[@jacktinney]

@@Dooshanche "quit your whining" -Naval

[@swarnavasamanta2628]

Intelligence makes you more sad and depressed rather. Intelligent people ponder the bigger picture and the meaning behind things. They can get pretty philosophical about life trying too hard to discern meaning from random things like life. This often leads to them developing existential depression.

[@zinzhao8231]

If you can't quantify it, it's billshit

[@pegadro]

If you are so smart, why aren't you happy? - also Naval

[@matthewchoules179]

My IQ is sub 100 and I PASSED my master’s in philosophy from a top university with a great philosophy department. IQ on average is a good predictor of life outcomes statistically speaking, but it does not necessarily put YOU as an individual in a straitjacket! Do what you enjoy and see where it takes you!

[@andy_ppp]

Amen to that, society uses averages and boxes us into believing things that may not be true individually. I have a 120 IQ but I look at some of the code ¨cleverer¨people write and I often think that extra brain power has been used to make the problem less clear. But at least the clever person felt clever!

[@mikematay7340]

100% true my IQ is 130 and I'm nothing special. Worthless job no money etc... lol

[@supervastgut1568]

I would say both of these comments say more about the sorry state of our education, than whether IQ matters or not....

[@sixupsprite5501]

@@mikematay7340 Exactly, I'm about 130 myself and without discipline and motivation it's pretty useless. A guy with determination and a much lower IQ is capable of a lot more.

[@Frodoswaggns]

I love philosophy, but the jobs seems to be dire when finishing the degree. What are you thoughts on this?

[@steveng8251]

When I was younger I was considered hyper active. When I turned 15 I started skateboarding daily and focused on it a lot.. I became good.. I lacked basic skills going into college and went from eng 101 to eng 097 and also took an accelerated reading and study skills class. This class focused on skimming and scanning and speed reading with quizzes. I found that after just that one class and retaking algebra 2 times my logic and intellect grew. The brain is just like muscle we must use it and nourish it..

[@virgiliustancu9293]

Your problem was not the IQ but the focus.

[@gingerroot8802]

I was actually left back in kindergarten, and was a high school drop out due to my ADHD/Aspergers. Set off for a lifetime of failure/drug use over the next 15 years. Finally when I was diagnosed and treated, I realized I wasn't such an idiot after all. I simply had lacked the skills to train my brain on my own and had a different brain than most. Once I learned how to deal with my slight disadvantage and became more organized I've now become quite knowledgeable and interested in learning. I had this feeling inside me that I had a ton of potential, just was completely lost on how to unlock it.. It really pains me to think how many other people out there aren't being dealt with properly and fall through the cracks their whole life.

[@steveng8251]

@@Joe-sg9ll my ability to learn greatly increased due to the accelerated reading program at my college..

[@steveng8251]

@@virgiliustancu9293 I feel like I increased my IQ after I took an intensive qigong seminar.. Oxygen is an amazing thing..

[@steveng8251]

@@gingerroot8802 I recently bought my daughter a creative visualization book that made a huge difference for me when I turned 16 as she is now.. I hope she reads it.. She claims to have dyslexia but she did not when she was younger. She gets lost in the words.. I feel you my friend and I would encourage Tai Chi and Qigong as well as Aikido as a means to increase your mental stamina.. I also like Lions mane but 5htp and L-tyrosine give me too much up and downs..

[@TheMugenVideos]

Kinda sucks to hear about this. I've done a IQ test in the past, and I scored a 75-80 which means I'm below average. It can make you're life harder sometimes, if you want to engage in society or for example if you want to pursue a higher education or career. That being said I accepted my limitations, and everyone should pursue their own goal even if it might take some more time than normal.

[@amineHighTube]

You are limiting yourself if you believe intelligence can be measured by IQ tests, people are gifted in many aspects not only the mathematical/logic aspect so find what youre good at, youll be surprised that you are naturally better at something than most people...

[@dominicverdin5724]

Clearly from reading your comment you’re above average or at the very least average intelligence. I’d say not to hold onto your IQ test as your life of limitations. There is so much more I’m sure you could accomplish in life. Good luck to you; remember you’re an intelligent human being and world is your oyster. ✌️

[@I_Lemaire]

Get tested again. No way you're 80.

[@fwabble]

@@Joe-sg9ll Low blow (this is where you fake the moral high ground and claim you're just trying to help)

[@chinor3999]

Never limit yourself, or let anyone limit you!

[@justinmiller7422]

Here are some ways to use the intelligence you have (stop self sabotage) - learn to write really well - stop eating food that cause inflammation. Specifically high fructose corn syrup - drink lots of water - get good quality of sleep, don’t smoke weed or drink alcohol - read and recall and then teach - write down all your stresses and begin to resolve them. Money Stress specifically makes lowers IQ - workout! Get your heart rate up - always do something. Never give up. In the face of a problem practice resolving the issue quickly and efficiently. Soon you will begin to seek out problems to solve

[@codsworth61]

At 17 I started doing all the things that promise would increase my intelligence, and im getting more and more convinced it did. I did and im still doing meditation 10 min, playing guitar 15 min, writing with my left hand 10 min, doing arithmetic in my head, e.g 7-Digit Plus 7-Digit Addition 10m , I started with 3 digits plus 3. stretches 10min, cardio 30m and 90m of lifting weights, 30 m of learning english , 30m of learning german. Now im 20 and i can not believe how dumb i was when i was 17

[@montana2198]

did u really do all that stuff ? And u see progress in your problem solving ?

[@thewalkingjoke3843]

There is nothing that can be done to increase intelligence during adolescence. That is not to say that intelligence can’t fluctuate during adolescence. In fact, many teenagers experience dramatic shifts in IQ scores that are correlated with structural brain changes. This most likely has to do with genes and is probably the reason why you got smarter - if you actually did. Might also be you just ‘feel’ smarter which could be attributed to a bunch of other things like self image or placebo. Anyways, none of the activities you listed made you any smarter (though it might have helped you not get any dumber).

[@44gg37]

hate to break it to you but most likely it was just you growing up (your brain developing more to be precise)

[@Shvetsario]

Me who’s left handed to begin with: 😂 my right hand is pretty good, better than most people’s dominant

[@darbyohara]

The fact the you think all that nonsense that’s been proven to do nothing is actually helping you shows you’re a dummy who’s easily fooled by gimmicks

[@wernerboden239]

The opportunity and the methods to learn things for children should help IQ on the lower spectrum. It's important to feed a childs curiosity, but also teach a child not to fear the unknown. With my guitar lessons, I have a 12 year old, who kept saying "I can't do that" or "it's too difficult" but I pushed him a little to try anyway. Make him understand it if it were easy, anyone could do it. So now, he never says this again. He learned that mastering something difficult is very rewarding. I can see he's improving faster now, and I am very proud of him.

[@frentz7]

Wonderful comment about the value of (good) education -- and yes including attention to enthusiasm, to curiosity. St Exupery! (" .. if you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea .. ")

[@proudatheist2042]

Former special education teacher here. A person with a low IQ score will not learn or master skills as well, or even at all, compared to their average and above average IQ peers.

[@darbyohara]

Those efforts DONT HELP. that’s what the research shows.

[@frentz7]

@@proudatheist2042 Sure but a person born today will learn a lot more mathematics (or choose whatever you prefer) than one born 50,000 years ago, or even 50. And that's not genetics. Our ability to teach and our intellectual environment has changed dramatically. Putting more people into those better situations would make an enormous difference. If, maybe, a more limited difference at the low extreme. (Although I have to wonder how well a person with a "low IQ score" would do 50,000 years ago, or 50, for that matter.)

[@sylviaowega3839]

Based on my own observations, that listening to Mozart doesn’t make people smarter, but that people who enjoy his music are generally more intelligent

[@jakobgrene5905]

True

[@CodeMonkeyCharlie]

When I was a young man I thought I could improve my intelligence by doing silly things like filling up a notebook with handwriting from my non dominant hand, or play Tetris up to level 80+ while on a recumbent exercise bike. Did any of it work? I doubt it. Some people in my life perceive me to be an intelligent man because of my relative success, but I have never claimed to be. What I am, however, is a stubborn binger. There's something to be said about having the persistence to figure something out, and the willingness to even start. Things may come easier to those who are more intelligent, but even they will hit a brick wall of effort eventually.

[@lapatria100]

Yep. I think people tend to only look at the surface when ascribing the word intelligent to someone. They don't necessarily know what the person has done or his/her processes that arrive at the categorizing part so to speak. In other words, they measure by what's readily tangible, and not by the process or speed or process or time allocated. Said differently, it's not a complicated function in their head--that dictates them to ascribe or not.

[@reynaldobonilla9881]

Life does not become easier for your cognic ability it becomes easier when your morale matches your intentions from within and out there is no disagreement between what you are and what you do

[@singitout1017]

Beautiful

[@TalkToMeGoose550]

This is the best comment here. Well said.

[@jeromechen1916]

I watch Rick and Morty so I think I'm safe.

[@Xrey56Cheyz]

Lex and Richard?

[@Billsbillsbillsbills]

As long as you get both ends the meta of the spectrum on w r & m, then you’ll be just fine lol.

[@adamdevaraj2883]

Safe from what?

[@Magic7Dragon]

Wubba lubba dub dub!

[@davebarry7133]

Ngannou

[@sudarshanbadoni6643]

Your clips have sealed my lips yet salute to your amazing quest and range of videos. A challenging and delivering life is better than joyful everlasting procrastination. Thanks.

[@snehalsha6476]

That was an amazing quote, thank you

[@theshutyourmouthguy]

Shut your mouth.

[@williamkeys6782]

It is not the quantity of lemons that counts, its the quality of the lemonade you make. I will take quality over quantity any time.

[@Basta11]

G affects potential speed in which you learn. Not necessarily whether you’ll be able to learn something or how good you will be at it. Like Tortoise and the Hare. Getting to the finish line is not just about speed but also discipline, consistency, determination. Teaching methodologies also plays a role. A good teacher can facilitate learning by helping one bypass common mistakes and show proven optimal ways of doing things. Learning skills is hard. Sometimes geniuses don’t reach their potential because they give up after feeling the first sign of discomfort. People who are not as gifted can embrace the discomfort and surpass them.

[@animepussy8356]

And then there is ADHD, which takes your potential and beats it to death with a blunt instrument.

[@juanzavala9023]

You’re acting as if G is just processing speed. G contains processing speed, but processing speed isn’t all just G. G also contains fluid reasoning... which is exactly what you described following your description after the words “not necessarily” in your first paragraph...

[@Basta11]

@@juanzavala9023 I'm not clear on what your point is.

[@christos_phe]

@@Basta11 That you expressed your self quicker than the reasoning ;)

[@Basta11]

@@christos_phe still don’t get it. I must be slow.

[@imfromtambunan]

I've taken IQ tests over the years, the highest I've gotten was 131 and the my lowest was 122. None of this removes the fact that I stutter in front of people and struggle finishing assignments. Sometimes I genuinely feel stupid because of how socially inept I can be around people.

[@joshua.johnson]

182 here, as yes, I sometimes find myself thinking the same things. It’s as if my brain loves to occupy itself in other matters of study, rather than school and classes. Assignments and deadlines seem so trivial, when will I ever need them in life? Will they determine my success? No they won’t. Honing a skill and leveraging myself into the right opportunities will build my success, not listening to a teacher who doesn’t even understand why she’s fat.

[@shreehari2589]

Can you guys provide me the link where I can take the test

[@HectorSantana-o1h]

I feel so dumb sometimes. Socializing comes natural to me but I am not smart and I really want to be smarter. Like my logical reasoning and problem shooting is terrible. Word problems I mostly only solve if I can follow a step by step of an example. I try understanding things but I feel like it takes me longer than other people. I don’t have ADD or ADHD.

[@BigBlacKMan90210]

I can bet on my life you're not someone with 182 IQ lol​@@joshua.johnson

[@robertwalkden6950]

You can literally study for an IQ test though. Idk if that number score that pops out at the end really means anything.

[@SGB-hq4dk]

Lex is right. If it’s a parallel shift, you’d still have folks making dumb decisions relative to others, despite them being better in an absolute form. As such, we’d still have events like unequal resource allocation, political manipulation, or just general opium of the masses.

[@arthurrosa9403]

And many jobs are better performed by lower iq people. I'm a teacher, and the smarter kids have a clear difficulty in simple things, the smarter the worst.

[@aussiemadz3119]

Stop trying to rationalise your shortcomings intelligent are better in the true sense the outperform normies in almost every aspect they have a more rational approach to life they are also intellectually far sighted that increases their empathy levels their understanding of the human condition so many problems in the world would be solved if people actually had brains.

[@mikecostanza303]

A paradigm shift, is how I've heard it. But, yes! Not only are there still 'dumb' people relative to society and the higher echelons of intelligent humans, but the floor of intelligence would be raised so that the 'dumb' thoughts or actions of the people at the bottom would be objectively 'smarter' than what the thoughts of actions of the people that were at the bottom of the scale previously. Thus, it would seem as if nothing had been changed, because the relativistic scale had been maintained. This is funny, because this is essentially the story of human history. If someone can't explain the basic principles of how the internet works to connect devices and computers today, you'd generally perceive them as simple or uneducated. Where as 200 years ago, there was likely not a person on Earth who could accurately predict how ISPs and personal computers/devices would operate to connect the world's population together via technology.

[@PeteQuad]

I disagree. There are problems with relative intelligence differences, but these are much smaller than the benefit from simplifying life in general as intelligence grows. Also, I think Lex is referring more to issues that people on the upper end of the curve encounter. However, I would tend to disagree with this as well, as greater G will allow them to diagnose and resolve those issues for themselves to a greater degree.

[@jackb8598]

Completely agree it wouldn’t make life “better” - just different. Imagine future forms of communism where people push to make collective intelligence all the same.

[@thedirectors2377]

EDIT: I typed this out before watching the whole video and lex ended up mentioning the story at 6:30 lol There is a tremendous short story on intelligence and how it relates to happiness called “Flowers for Algernon.” The story is told through journal entries from a man with a low IQ that goes through a procedure to increase his IQ to 250+ over the course of a week or so. He starts out misspelling most words and progressively gets better and better at writing. I read it when I was 19 and it changed my outlook on intelligence. A major theme is that we often treat super-intelligent people and unintelligent people the same. Highly recommended short read. You can find the whole story for free online.

[@_Triangularity]

The sweet spot is - dumb enough to stay motivated, but smart enough to not devote your life

[@theshutyourmouthguy]

Shut your mouth.

[@williamkeys6782]

There is no such thing as a sweet spot in the IQ world. You inherit your IQ and it cannot be altered. My advice is to appreciate the lemons you inherit and make sweet lemonade. It is the quality over quantity argument.

[@Fawnshell]

Let me say this, the more you’re able to differentiate potential future action sequences, the less likely you’re going to be willing to do said action sequence. That is because you already know the outcome of the situation, both positive and negative. Negative thoughts tend to triumph when you haven’t even started the process of doing anything yet.

[@JG23160]

Very well said 👏

[@williamkeys6782]

Stop navel-gazing and make lemonade. IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@hectorcardenas2171]

As a Mechanical Engineer, I do acknowledge that MOST people cannot handle Mathematics, Calculus, Physics and logical thinking.

[@azathoth4473]

I have noticed something in my case and some other people around me is that I was weak at mathematics in my earlier highschool because I didn't had my concepts clear I simply didn't even remembered the fundamental basic math equations of some chapters which had a link to other chapters. Well I guess that's not what you were stating in your comment. Just wanted to share it anyways.

[@Red_AIert]

Any tips on better reading retention with ADHD in adults? Thank you 🙏🏼

[@maxican321]

Try audible, listening while walking, recommend

[@Red_AIert]

@@maxican321 thank you. 🙏🏼

[@genesises]

smoking weed (not any strain will help) :D

[@wvusmc]

I agree with the Audible recommendation. I'd buy books on subjects I'd want to learn about but could never finish them but through Audible I listen everyday without boredom.

[@tcphero9258]

Yep, drink coffee

[@fischX]

Online review for brain enhance pill: "You screwed me! I paid hundreds of dollars just to make you rich for nothing in return!" "Thank you for your review, it seems like you already got smarter trough our product"

[@zinzhao8231]

💀💀💀💀💀💀💀

[@mikicerise6250]

🤣

[@scoklyiicy]

jajajaaj

[@willbrink]

"Charlie" is free on YT and a MUST watch movie. Amazing performance.

[@glaucosaraiva363]

The problem with high intelligence used to be the social isolation experienced by these individuals. Nowadays, this is mitigated by living in the communication era. On the other side of the curve, as mentioned before, more intelligence is better because it helps solve problems. I believe that more intelligence is better at all levels of development and also for AIs, which will probably provide us with the best social simulations to develop ourselves in all aspects and to achieve well-being. We just have to make sure we don't blow everything up until then, during the small period we have to go through, and think about the best way to develop AIs and ourselves together, not just to increase our own intelligence for our own benefit. I think that era has already passed.

[@williamkeys6782]

You don't seem to get it the IQ dilemma. IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@raph151515]

maybe we don't understand where the lever is because there is no proof it's innate but it's doesn't mean that's it's a pure construction, there might be another way by tweaking indirect factors, like emotional response and patterns so the intelligence creating engine can perform optimally

[@madi112233]

Factors contributing to your reasoning ability are: 1) Brain wiring 2) Throughput defined by how much energy/oxygen can be burnt 3) your character and will to think

[@williamkeys6782]

BS, you inherit IQ and that is that. The bad news is that if you inherit plenty of lemons with a character that can't make lemonade you are stuffed. On the other hand fewer lemons but excellent lemonade making and you have contentment. It is always quality over quantity.

[@madi112233]

@@williamkeys6782 That's brain wiring

[@jonny0z046]

Is there different types of intelligence? I feel it like most things intelligence exists a spectrum . It has a far wider and deeper meaning , than just smarter .

[@ghosthunter0950]

I think it's reasonable to think we can improve people's reasoning, we don't actually have to improve intelligence. just like in chess. if you get better at chess it means you got better at reasoning the correct moves. How our processors are used are really dependent on what software you wrote for it. a more powerful CPU can run a program with worse performance if it's not optimized for it than a less powerful one with software that is optimized.

[@ryanparker3_2_1]

Also the more knowledge you come into contact with, the more doors it opens for your reasoning abilities to call upon when needed and more reliable chunk of information to use

[@markmraven]

I think, Lex's valuing average intelligence over low/high intelligence is actually about the benefit of being normal - society caters to average, people's understanding of others is based on what's common, 'average' is the basis for attractiveness. This aside, intelligence is something that benefits everyone

[@TheronJames]

Having intelligence is not the same as using it. More people choosing to apply critical thinking would result in better outcomes.

[@rogelioagrazsanchez6652]

Lex always talking about love in every podcast 🤌🏼

[@williamkeys6782]

Yes because Lex is a romantic. Lex should make lemonade out of the lemons he inherited, he is very bright. He should understand it is not about the quantity of lemons, it is about the quality of the lemonade. Quality over quantity. Lex, make romantic lemonade and be happy.

[@FairnessIsTheAnswer]

It is stated at: 4:15 "There might be a sweet spot of intelligence" This implies a balance, and also brings up the issue of how a creator of beings or intelligent would find the optimal combination of degrees of capability. This is something that creators of worlds, beings and life systems should study and be morally proficient in before being allowed to create worlds. Make sure you get your doctorate in "World and Being Design" and a certification from the Universal Mind before creating your world, or else you might become an evil demiurge.

[@frentz7]

(1:45) ".. many many social problems .. ability to reason stuff out, and navigate everyday life." We already have some tentative evidence that our diverse approaches to K-12 education produce *dramatic* differences in a person's ability to think, and specifically to enter into a small variety of cognitive situations, take in relevant information, *process* and sort it, and then both solo and collaboratively to try to reach good conclusions. Or in short, different kinds of "reasoning."

[@josephmiceli1672]

I tested 6 months ago and my fluid intelligence was 70 and my crystallised IQ was 105. It is a disappointment but I am learning to get used to it and deal with it. Am I right in saying that if they did create a way of raising IQ it would make any difference to reasoning ability?

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ cannot be improved upon. So what? It is not the number of lemons, it is the quality of lemonade you make from them. Make good lemonade and be satisfied. Quality of quantity.

[@wch7251]

Increase awareness

[@tommcalpine6062]

I'm more interested in a cure for focus/ drive than intelligence

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@alexlars]

Mozart is not making you more intelligent, but listening to Lex's podcasts definitely does :D

[@theshutyourmouthguy]

Shut your mouth.

[@pierreollivier1]

it's hard to say whether or not having more intelligent people would really improve people's life, I'm part of the top 2% of the distribution and during college i had to work at MacDonald to pay my rent. It was absolutely dreadful, i felt miserable working there, there was no room for creativity, or anything interesting, but it gave me a lot of sensible insights, one of the thing that i noticed is that the less """""intelligent"""" , a coworker/manager, was the happier they were with their current situation. Which lead me to believe that increasing the average IQ would on the short-term make a lot of people miserable because they would have to wait for society to automate those """lower-end""", jobs before they could do a job that's more suited for their IQ.

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@АлексейПлакхин]

Lex please make video with Keith Stanowich or any other expert on rational thinking. It is different ability then IQ and it can be improved.

[@colin6768]

I have a personal stake in this issue. I had testing done several years back and my overall i.q. was established as 99 but I believe my verbal i.q. was 115. Flash forward to 2022. I had neuropsych testing done and my i.q. was 83. I was (and am) devastated. The thing is this. I'm very intellectually inclined, but when I read the stuff I'm interested in I get flummoxed. Its heartbreaking and it almost drives me to tears. If there was a way to safely raise my i.q. to, say, 160, I would do it in a heartbeat. If I had a higher i.q. there's so much more stuff I'd be able to comprehend. Yes, I realize there are downsides - such as the isolation many intelligent people feel - but I feel that already. I strongly agree with what Jordan Peterson says regarding i.q. A higher i.q. enables you to perform jobs with higher levels of complexity, which in turn makes you more valuable. Plus there's job security. If you have a unique talent (which is a concomitant of high iq) you have your pick of employment - in essence the sky's the limit. If I was a billionaire philanthropist I'd set up a "Manhattan project" for raising i.q. and hire Haier as the chief advisor. Unfortunately, there are a lot of forces that want to put the brakes on progress - there's the "Harrison Bergeron" type egalitarians (I'm not referring to the thoughtful people on the other side of the debate) and the racist pin heads and their twisted agenda. I firmly believe that a.g.i. research, psychedelic research, and research on improving the g-factor are three of the most important fields of research. Ignorance is NOT bliss. Trust me.

[@colin6768]

@grolm8335 Hi. I'm on Discord but I have a tough time using it. You have any other suggestions? Are you on Facebook?

[@armin3057]

i feel you. my life has been destroyed because of the way my brain is wired. im getting into dark places

[@user-ls4xq8ki3k]

Are you sure you’ve been tested with official tests?

[@bmejia220]

Fascinating exchange. Thank you for sharing.

[@carolirene49]

Intelligence is truly measured by a person's ability to entertain a new idea. Here's an example that helped me. When I heard and ruminated that we all since in the womb throughout early childhood... usually 7 or so y.o., are in Theta brainwave which is the downloading phase. As adults, if we can manage to capture that and ruminate on the idea can then begin to expand our understanding and in all likelihood change our minds. It's really a lifelong process... for me, anyways.

[@genesises]

no that is called open mindedness. as for the 2nd part you are onto something, but your specific example is biological rather than psychological.

[@genesises]

@@Joe-sg9ll funny how its always "they" that say these things xD

[@genesises]

@@Joe-sg9ll lol good one :D

[@soulfuzz368]

I think that is better described as the big 5 personality trait “openness” if you look it up there are lots of good resources online. If you took a survey I would bet you are very high in openness

[@zinzhao8231]

Intelligence must be quantifiable so that one can measure it. Unfortunately your opinion isn't supported by research.

[@jacobhuggins9510]

I know of one thing for sure that makes you more generally intelligent. FAILING something that is out of your current capability and overcoming that

[@Alezkar]

The last time I did an IQ test I got 110. It sucks being average. I wanted to be a 1% developer but anyways... I'll try Fintech.

[@matttate920]

Sleep more lex! We wuv uuuuu!!!

[@95greenbug]

Everything in moderation. If you're smarter you could choose to be involved with a problem. You could choose to be bothered by a problem. In that you are choosing to make your life worse. Because now instead of being relaxed and have less stress and have a good time, you choose misery. But some might say "Well now you know about it how can you ignore it?". If you know about it, it is impossible to ignore it. Not true. People ignore things all the time. You only have so much time, you can't solve all the worlds problems even if you knew how to. At some point you have to say, I choose to leave these issues for some one else. So if you balance out your life and practice moderation.. You come to terms with every thing you continue to learn. You can be smarter and just as equally happy.

[@zinzhao8231]

People who 'just wanna have good time.' come out as dumb as shi

[@guillegui6487]

Stoicism

[@95greenbug]

@@guillegui6487 Well kind of, Stoicism would say only know enough to do what you have to.. but knowing more doesn't bother it either.

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@95greenbug]

@@williamkeys6782 To some degree, I can agree that intelligence has inherent aspects. However, both biological and environmental factors contribute significantly to an individual's potential. There are varying degrees of genetic predisposition and environmental influence that shape a person's abilities and outcomes. Lemonade might be great, but addressing fundamental needs is essential for a meaningful life. Growth, adaptation, and resilience in moderation.. stress in moderation. Happy, yes but how can you contrast? Lemons if you've never had lemoade?

[@sylviaowega3839]

“Flowers For Algernon” is definitely a great book to read

[@quansun4634]

In kindergarten, I was found to have an IQ of 150. I may still have it, but not a very good student. Took years of college classes but never graduated. Worked in broadcasting, electronics, engineering, design, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, chemistry, programming and my go to, art. My family look up to me. It’s just me and what I do.

[@erykfit]

Respect. Mentor me

[@nemanjanika2984]

HEY EVERYONE, STOP DOING WHAT YOU'RE DOING! ATTENTION PLEASE! QUAN SUN HAS AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE - THEY HAVE HIGH IQ AND ARE SUCCESSFUL AND ADMIRED BY THEIR FAMILY - INCREDIBLE!!

[@Heopful]

What do you think the fact that you've posted this means?

[@yourlordandsaviouryeesusbe2998]

@@Heopful means he is probably not as smart as he thinks 😂

[@suivzmoi]

happiness is not a function of some internal metric alone like g but rather a resolving of difference between internal struggles versus those of others around you. this is why a larger gap between the individual and his community is negative to his happiness. it is not that there are unhappy people at the lower tail that could be helped, but simply the fact that there are tails on both ends that could get more happiness by being pulled closer in to the median and the opposite breeds isolation. this is the human aspect Lex was talking about, apart from the obvious fact that shifting the whole distribution to the right would help everyone that Richard was talking about but those are different solutions to different questions. human need for fairness and community is strong so the only way to bypass this is to reject this aspect entirely and cover this need by something else (many philosophies attempt this, including Buddhism and the rejection of attachment) but of course that's not for every one. the key is to squeeze the distribution and since we dont know how to do it with g we already do it with other aspects of community living..you know, basically all the left wing stuff. obviously that can lead to overcompensation too but generally this is a result of the competing optimization goals of individual agency and community living.

[@lostinbravado]

I prefer to view intelligence as a material or a tool or an extension of ability. Would I like to fly? Yes! Would I like more intelligence so I can do more things? Yes. But would flying or more intelligence make my life perfect on their own? No, these things are enhancers. What would the limit be? The limit would be my imagination. Perhaps the place I feel most comfortable requires half the intelligence as someone else. Maybe it even requires half the wealth. For now scarcity forces us to compete, and so preferring less seems somehow wrong. That won't be how it is forever as scarcity is falling away with ever more automation.

[@Afreshio]

I consider myself a lil bit above average. I'm not a genius, but I'm not average. And other people notice too. But I have ADHD. I would KILL for a cure for ADHD. Shit, even a treatment. Right now I cannot even afford a free healthcare treatment. And it only helps with emotional deregulation aspect of it, not the time blindness for example. Unmedicateed, untreated ADHD is so debilitating, its like a productive and ambitious part of me is battling against another messy chaotic side of my brain. Every second. Hyperactivity manifests in me in the inside, my thought are almost always racing. My default is getting distracted every waking moment and struggling to regain the thoughts that would actually help me achieve my goals. Worse part is that for the 99% of my life it went undiagnosed. Even if I wouldn't get a treatment I think getting the diagnosis early woudl've helped tons. It's also a neurodevelopmental disorder along with Autism Spectrum Disorder which I also have. Suicided is higher among individuals that have both mental disorders and I fully understand why, godammit. Theres also an aspect of arrested development because the emotional maturity gets delayed and you fall behind your peers and only barely catch up when you are almost in your thirty and in my case I'm 31 and I feel I'm still behind. I'm starting to catch up right now, but theres so many things that cannot be experienced once you are beyond your 20s. What I'm trying to say is that I would gladly be in the average tier if it would get rid of my bullshit disorders. IQ is not everything certainly. My two cents that compliment your point. P.D English is not my native language and I'm too lazy and poor to use a translator or grammarly, respectively.

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@nomancricket]

Environment plays a big role. from grade 9 to 12 100% 24/7 solely focused in to figuring out cricket batting swing, researching and all (same like golf,baseball what Americans do)but in hindsight developed very linear skill(just can't communicate literally) not holistic. Now after 1 year in uni understand coding, participating in other things gradually and surely are developing so much my intelligence.

[@happios]

Lex : does intelligence lead to happiness Richard : no

[@ashleywilkonson386]

Oh cool you saw the beginning of the video, I didn't make it that far. Thanks for this!

[@scroopynooperz9051]

The more you know, the more you know you dont know. It's a vicious paradox 😂

[@brandondetroitfanmichaels4325]

@@ashleywilkonson386 You say that to every guy?

[@ashleywilkonson386]

@@brandondetroitfanmichaels4325 How do you feel about Detroit?

[@JohnDobak]

@@ashleywilkonson386 You must be new to KZbin comments. This is standard thumbsup baiting.

[@kevinrice7635]

Simplicity is 😊Bliss.

[@Nozzleeeee]

I think if they taught philosophy in grade school starting in 9th grade I think it would dramatically affect one’s general intelligence and overall reasoning capability within a single generation

[@Sketchball]

Bro I've been preaching this to my circle for half a decade! They need to teach philosophy (logic, critical thinking, ethics) in grade school. And it needs to be taken as serious as english, math, science

[@ericcollins6231]

Yea we lost a lot when we lost the classical model of education

[@ghosthunter0950]

​@@Sketchball they did it for us... didn't help. there are quite a few bozos that couldn't pass anything in the end. It's not gonna improve intelligence but you can practice people's reasoning to be better just like in chess.

[@alittax]

@@ghosthunter0950 There are bound to be exceptions to everything. Just because it didn't help everyone, doesn't mean there aren't people who would be worse off now if it hadn't been for those philosophy classes. I know for sure that I was worse off before I studies philosophy.

[@frentz7]

Actually you start in kindergarden, and with a small variety of things (but great example, philosophy). My colleague in the math department was just commenting on this -- comparing what his young children are seeing in school with what our current college-age kids have been "prepared" with their K-12 ..

[@knowerzark]

Who says happiness is the goal In life? And what is it anyway? Euphoria or contentment? Ultimately a little bit of unhappiness keeps us striving to exceed or improve our current condition.

[@LL-wy1ib]

If we want to advance as a civilization, these super intelligent people must share their knowledge with us simpletons. To those that seek it that is. I can only imagine where we would be if tesla, hawking, musk shared how they go about their thinking, decision making.

[@lastraven7205]

nah easier to just get rid of all of the sub 90s

[@juanzavala9023]

@@lastraven7205 I’m commenting, but also responding to you so you can see this. Coming from someone who scored 145+ SD 15, do you guys want to know what response I get the most when I delve into higher levels of abstract? Phrases such as “he’s saying a lot without saying nothing” or “he’s just saying word salads,” the truth is that because I touch on higher levels of abstraction, to them, my logic is incomprehensible/inconceivable. Although I can make it concrete as an example, The logic containing abstract in and of itself can never be effectively fully employed to its full capacity if we keep concretizing to these “simpletons.” Whenever I heard Jordan Peterson talk for example, although most of the comments on a KZbin video enunciate remarks such as “he beats around the bush,” throughout my whole life experience, this means to me that there is a being with higher intelligence... and let me tell you, that’s correct! Because I actually understand most of the higher-abstracted doors. It’s been my personal experience that people usually think an intelligent person is spewing word salads until I come across and engage with them in a sophisticated way or even above, in which such audience becomes star stuck, “wait, you understand what he’s saying!?!?!?” Concretizing, or simplifying is bad. The whole abstraction is lost, because you delve to the simpler logic. Say for example, I Instantiate the proposition of “everyone positive number is greater than zero,” a “simpleton” would ask for such abstracted logic to be concretized, in which I would say “5 is greater than 0,” in which although that does follow the rules of my proposition, it doesn’t capture the wide range of the insinuation my proposition, which is higher in abstract, attempted to make. I mean, that’s why it’s abstract. And it’s futile to go through every single fucking number. All that conceivable logic is lost. And I’m sorry for going on a tirade, but though my life, simplifying for these low IQ individuals has only left me with people misinterpreting what I say, because they just can’t grasp it. If you don’t understand it, too fucking bad, I’m done trying to appease to low iq motherfuckers. Bitch ass ni**as, Time wasting ass ni**as. Sorry, I let myself go a little bit.

[@lastraven7205]

@@juanzavala9023 Yesh I don't know if my iq is that high but I'm tired of feeling as if I can understand what others are saying but feeling like they never quite understand what I'm saying. sometimes it feels like they're misunderstanding on purpose.

[@edwinjaner5978]

@@juanzavala9023 you being unable to express your thoughts consicely is your fault. You write like a midwit

[@apophisxo4480]

@@lastraven7205 The problem is that once you get rid of the "sub 90's" there is a NEW 90! Meaning the average shifts up and guess who's next on the chopping block? By extrapolation, even those considered above average today would someday be considered sub 90! You can't just arbitrarily draw the line at yourself. In any event we are not machines. There may be an upper limit to the intelligence we can achieve with biology and chemistry. So it may be that we bring the sub 90's up and we all meet at the upper limit (only to later be crushed by AI....but that's a whole other subject).

[@yazmut]

it's not that ignorance is bliss, but that you know things that could make you less happy but you let it go!

[@adamuadamu5081]

Wisdom and Intelligence are different things, Lex I would rather have the wisdom to know what to focus on, than to have the bulging cranial intelligence to blitz calculations on topics that, will get me somewhere, of course, but not where I'd truly want to be.

[@genesises]

wisdom is more related to experience, while intelligence to intuition.

[@Afreshio]

I would gladly live in a society where the new IQ average is something like 115. Looots of people gets easily fucked by politicians by just manipulating studies/statistics and the average and bellow cannot bother to leanr basic statistics to discern the bs from the truth. Then we got the world that the majority votes. Theres plenty of idiotic obvious manipulations that the masses just ignore, and then get dragged and manipulated in this rat race fighting over scraps. Yeah, I would give the pills to the lower tier IQ group. Any freaking day. Populist would at least need to work harder to dupe people.

[@adamuadamu5081]

@@genesises How have you made the determination that intelligence is related to intuition?

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@TiuBramburel]

But is this really that important when you have to the following issues into consideration ? : 1. Willingness to accept you`re wrong and start looking for other answers and information. 2. Willingness to make sustained effort for longer search time on questions. 3. Simply abundance of experience: read 2000 books and you`ll find more solutions to more problems, since you have more raw material in your brain for possible solutions. 4. Habit of asking: `` Am I wrong? What am I wrong about? Is there other areas where I`m wrong? How will I know I will be right when I find another solution? `` idk questions like these... So I`m not saying being smarter isn`t good... but it`s far from being the only thing holding your ``brain`` back.

[@stupidguy97]

IQ predicts many things at a group level, but it is NOT necessarily a good predictor at an individual level. So, don’t feel bad if you got a low IQ score, and don’t become arrogant if you got a high one. Just live your life and do the best with whatever abilities you have.

[@williamkeys6782]

You are wrong. IQ is inherited snd cannot be changed. It is an excellent predictor of specific individual talent, say by employers. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate, blame God. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@reiniervanramshorst1031]

I think statistically the optimum for success in science business medicine engineering etc is about 135, differing slightly by field. The rare 170 or so often doesn't really find his or her way

[@bmxt939]

Don't know about any IQ measurements but subjectively n-back training made my comprehension overall WAY better. It's worth trying it yourself for at least a month and only then make any conclusions. Usually a month is enoguh to feel some obvious benefits, and then 2-4 months is enough to feel major changes. I mean, before training I couldn't read Kant at all let alone understand anything from his dry and complex sentences. And now here I am reading and enjoying it, still feeling strain but it's bearable now.

[@Gjoparceus]

What's the name of the training you are referring to?

[@bmxt939]

​@@Gjoparceus n-back training. kzbin.info/www/bejne/q4DRlIuXpblgoJY

[@syedghaffarhassan]

N-back training.

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@bongassociatesanalytics124]

This talk reminds me of the Transformers original series episode where Grimlock becomes a genius and saves the universe.

[@SG-jm7np]

I haven’t seen the research of listening to Mozart (and other classical music) would increase IQ. I saw a research in my country that classical music showed people were able to take in more information than other styles of music. Didn’t declare that it increased intelligence but it showed that the people who listened to classical music while studying scored higher.

[@lapatria100]

Yep. I think people tend to only look at the surface when ascribing the word intelligent to someone. They don't necessarily know what the person has done or his/her processes that arrive at the categorizing part so to speak. In other words, they measure by what's readily tangible, and not by the process or speed or process or time allocated. Said differently, it's not a complicated function in their head--that dictates them to ascribe or not.

[@danmac6185]

Often times, high intelligence comes with deficits in other areas. Would artificially heightened intelligence induce the same deficits? I think starting at anyone with an IQ under 90, and then going up as we learn more, would be a good plan. As we transition into an automated workforce, we should take the opportunity to allocate more resources towards mental health.

[@soulfuzz368]

Just remember that the most selfish person you know has a therapist telling them it’s okay to be selfish sometimes.

[@kejtos5]

In what areas?

[@debrachambers1304]

​@@kejtos5+

[@LarryP248]

The wisdom in this content is remarkable. A book with akin insights profoundly influenced my development. "Unlocking the Brain's Full Potential" by Alexander Sterling

[@plaguedoct0r]

We might not have ways of increasing IQ, but we can prevent it being lowered. Reducing environmental lead does this, as does proper nutrition and many other things.

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@plaguedoct0r]

@@williamkeys6782 Not true. For a long time IQ in children has been rising, but over covid it lowered to rates unseen for 50 years. Therefore it has an environmental aspect too.

[@audiobookfull8]

One-half standard deviation increased IQ has been found to be the average when you relieve monetary constraints on the human mind. This is why we should enact Universal Basic Income. The societal value of giving people psychological stability would reduce crime, abuse, and corruption more than the cost of giving everyone basic income.

[@Mr.CreamCheese69]

Lsd and rigorous training allowed it to happen for me. I've never once was able to understand nor learn math or learn another language, until I did such. Now somehow it's second nature. I thought this was impossible, it still feels like that. But it is what it is I suppose lol

[@TheCartWizard]

Hopefully, now that LSD is becoming decriminalized in the U.S. there will be more studies shown on it, but that still doesn't mean it increased your G-factor rather it just allowed you to focus on other things. Someone who has a below-average IQ can very well earn a Ph.D. and someone with a "genius" IQ might not do anything with their life and/or learn anything. But what do I know, perhaps LSD might be a miracle drug, it already is in some aspects!

[@tex959]

Ya, strenuous exercise and ayahuasca helped me put the puzzle pieces together on many existential questions that I was previously confused by. Many people's brains 'wake up' as they advance toward middle age.

[@michadziedzic9564]

Probably difficult, but could you describe how was the change? What was the difference when approaching math - or more STEM oriented subjects - after or during lsd intake? I'm soon to try psilocybin and I look at it more as a brain enhancer than adventure drug. Curious how is it going to work out. Cheers!

[@ghosthunter0950]

Idk about language but Imo for maths many of the people who think they can't learn it just missed out on some crucial things to the things being taught at school. I've had a friend in the same situation, he was one of the people who would fail everything but he got some help from us to teach and practice him the earlier stuff and he ended up thinking it was really easy and was baffled how others couldn't pass it.

[@Mr.CreamCheese69]

@@ghosthunter0950 yep it really comes down to the teacher, there's a certain headspace in which to view math properly but it's never discussed. Had a few teachers over the decades who did this successfully amd I got it, other than that on my own I was lost

[@christos_phe]

I don't believe that with more inteligence equals more problems... I believe more inteligence equal more eficient answers to questions. The rest is emotional management. You have to first learn to ride your body before becoming eficient. And that you can learn...

[@facepalmjesus1608]

intelligence is nothing more nothing less than a problem solving ability

[@soulfuzz368]

I think your “nothing more” sort of underplays how important problem solving is in life.

[@theshutyourmouthguy]

Shut your mouth.

[@FredoCorleone]

Has anyone watched the entire conversation? Do they talk about Relational Frame Theory?

[@brandoncinpubadj]

The more intelligent you are, the less happy you will be. That has to be true, as you could see how much is wrong with this world and where it seems to be headed...

[@deanarnold5241]

Better to focus on dialing up skills in certain domains rather than G factor, or define G Factor as ability to learn skills faster

[@JFairhart]

Soon, we will have AI to augment our individual intelligence, so hopefully everyone will have instant access to the most knowledgeable information. Does that necessarily mean an increase in happiness? I doubt there is a significant correlation between more intelligence and happiness. If you understand the difference in levels and frequency of “happiness” vs. “uninterrupted joy” which is a state of mind, both can be achieved. For most people, regardless of intelligence levels, happiness has an ebb and flow based on whether ego is satisfied or not. The issue with ego is if it gets what it wants, it is only temporarily happy. What often happens is ego keeps changing the goal line and wants something more or different and won’t be happy until it gets what it now wants, which is now different. Ego wants a new car and is very happy when it gets the new car. Having the new car is great for awhile, until it’s at a red light and a nicer new car rolls up next to it. Not only is the other car a nicer new car, but the guy driving it is a good looking, fit guy with a BABE next to him. OH NO, I was so happy until I saw that “guy” and realized I need to be that “guy” to be really happy. And the chase for “happiness” keeps us going. However, the constant state of “joy” is a state of mind that realizes everything is fine right now. Nothing can be added or changed to improve my constant state of joy. Your cup is already full. This kind of state of mind lacks nothing. It does not depend on the level of intelligence, or possessions, or physique. So, improving intelligence may have advantages, but is not a true correlation to happiness.

[@soulfuzz368]

We already do, it’s called an internet connection

[@dougjones1074]

This.

[@williamkeys6782]

IQ is inherited and cannot be changed. The secret is to make lemonade with the lemons inherited. Fewer lemons, skillfully squashed and blended can make great lemonade. Quality trumps quantity. Of course, a skillful lemonade-maker who has plenty of lemons has an advantate. But, who cares anyway? Just make lemonade and be happy.

[@JFairhart]

@@williamkeys6782 - or, better yet, make Apple cider vinegar and lemon in water. Very healthy!!! 👍

[@idriskapasi2698]

3:31 amazing

[@bencollins9663]

There was a time in my life that my thirst for knowledge was just unquenchable. I couldn’t consume enough nonfiction. I wasn’t ever the smartest guy in the room. I would more than likely be the most knowledgeable. To know about particles and neurons makes my life fuller. But can’t bring happiness. I think psychedelics helped bring it all together for me. I still pay attention to all things science. But mainly get lost in fiction in my imagination now.

[@leagueleaders]

Same

[@patricksperspective99]

Hippies 1 scientists 0 😂

[@plantface510]

Psychedelics do not bring happiness. Pursuing goals and achieving your successes bring happiness. Believing in a afterlife would definitely help.

[@bencollins9663]

@@plantface510 didn’t say they bring happiness. It helped put things in perspective. Belief in an afterlife is irrelevant to me.

[@plantface510]

@@bencollins9663 good luck sir

[@ufox77]

I think there’s not so much a sweet spot for intelligence, but more a sour spot, where you’re just intelligent enough to understand the true extent of your limitations. I know this because I’m exactly in it.

[@kwisatzhaderach2166]

Why does Lex interrupt his guests so much? In the entire clip Lex never let the guest finish his thoughts on the initial questions, just to blurt out a bunch of banal statements. This podcast is only good for discovering great people but the content itself xucks ass

[@shivagoel6576]

Did the video answer the question in the title?

[@BaadMotorFinger]

The problem is that there's always a proportion of geniuses that are also insane and when their insanity manifests itself, it often goes far beyond what a normal IQ is capable of

[@puffdaddy69]

Some say insanity is the only way we get some inventions in life

[@maximusthegreatest]

You got an example of one of these “geniuses”?

[@BaadMotorFinger]

@@maximusthegreatestTake your pick from a list of the most famous serial killers. David Berkowitz, Ted Kaczynski, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy etc, all had above average IQs. It would be logical to assume there's a greater proportion that exist that haven't been caught yet.

[@maximusthegreatest]

@@BaadMotorFinger I'd agree with you on Ted for sure.

[@donsolos]

@@maximusthegreatest there are a ton. Bobby Fisher is a great example

[@bonniewingard9771]

LOVE LEX, listen.. really opens people's minds(even for 20 minute's) cool cat

[@aherosdeath7227]

Just casually advocating eugenics 😎

[@MrStringybark]

The movie was called "Charlie" but the short story it was based on was titled "Flowers for Algernon,"

[@ZENMASTERME1]

“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former.” ~Albert Einstein

[@nealtheall7236]

That was a smart dude.

[@luc8263]

Read Nietzsche when you are 16 and 60.. Put layers at the first impression . Throughout your existence. My conclusion bananas and respect. Big teacher...

[@TheCodeGuy12]

Why didn't you introduce this man to the film Lawnmower Man?

[@scroopynooperz9051]

Everyone wants a pill that makes them smarter but that's a double edged sword. You're more likely to notice inconsistencies and contradictions in your day to day life, and this may very well impact your ability to be happy and content. There is a certain appeal (and happiness) to be found in ignorance and lack of understanding. I bet if there were a pill to make people dumber, it would sell just as good lol

[@pseudodao7040]

I wish I had more smarter

[@zeynand4039]

Being smarter makes life better if you are on the lower end. Because they know they are less smart and why should they get paid less for jobs they work just as hard at. Smarter people forget the won the lottery, they did nothing for higher iq. It's mostly biologically gifted to you by your parents.and they work and get better jobs, better lives, better health as a result. Why. If there was an iq pull I would give it to people with iq of 85 or less. Becaus ei know them and they have damn hard lives in every way. I also know people with high iq because it runs in my family and throughout life and work experience, met some more people with high iq. I think they have more sadness in their lives and they don't have a better lives. If you have a little better than normal iq, thats perfect. Because now you got an edge but you are still not far from most people which make syou good for competing. People with 145 and over and 85 and below, they live in another world. That in itself creates a problem. And lots of insecurities. Alot of them feel like life is not. Made for them. Always the outcasts.

[@DanielAnderssson]

There's already a pill to make you dumber. It's called alcohol and its great (in moderation)

[@scroopynooperz9051]

@@DanielAnderssson touche 😂

[@pirotrav]

I have found this to be the case and honestly the great challenge of my life. The more I learn and even apply my cognitive capabilities as it were, the less certain I become. I'm constantly trending towards a 'Socrates: I know nothing' sort of scenario. The only decent panacea to this affliction seems to be bias for action and exercise.

[@MaSoJaSO]

What about Dual n Back and image streaming??

[@blood_n_guts_murphy]

Modafinil/Armodafinil increases IQ. Temporarily.

[@Protonoto1]

Tried it, all it did was making me feel very awake, but no smarter.

[@blood_n_guts_murphy]

@@Protonoto1 it focuses you on one thing. It doesn't technically make you smarter. But it helps those of us who are easily distracted be better at tasks. Imho it makes me smarter for the task in hand.

[@danieltaylor2873]

At the end of the day yes intelligence could improve things but no different than people of "lower" intelligence, its your intentions and how you choose to use what you got. Happiness only comes with figuring out who you are as a person which i believe is a life long pursuit.

[@jdeprimo5030]

Definitely not an expert but I feel like if one were to rigorous study mathematics and study philosophy (thinking really deeply about ideas) you would increase IQ.

[@soulfuzz368]

Plenty of studies on this. Stuart Ritchie wrote a book recently on this as well. Most data suggests you are correct but not to a really significant degree.

[@АлексейПлакхин]

Is all math equally good for increasing IQ. I heard that geometry and logic helps a lot with reasoning. Arithmetic, statistics and probability theory helps a lot with quick estimates

[@supralogical]

I heard from Jordan Peterson that a high IQ is strongly correlated with success in life, even more than being born into a rich family. So it seems to me that there would be no "sweet spot" for happiness, just that a higher IQ makes happiness more likely, if success is a component of happiness more often than not. The higher you go the better. Of course individual circumstances differ from person to person. You may be living in a war-torn country or have a violent, alcoholic father or something, The love of your life may have chosen someone else; and so on. So all of the above argument applies only statistically to the general case, not the specific, and would be based on statistical probabilities, not certainties.

[@theliquidtheory]

This is real. I was a daily drinker for at least a couple decades, I could feel my cognitive abilities decline. I always liked taking from time to time IQ tests for fun. While I was a drinker, my average score was somewhere between 115-120. It will be 2 years coming up with only having 1 beer in that time. I get near daily exercise because I have so much energy have also dropped over 40 lbs, and my memory is much much better. When I take tests now, I am usually between 125-132 on average. I have always been very creative and a deep thinker, but I do believe what we put into our bodies and good exercise does "something".

[@godspeed133]

I think sleep exercise and diet are some of the few things have been scientifically shown to affect cognition in a way that can be directly traced to neurophysiology i.e. the functioning of the brain at the low level, so I can believe this. I haven't seen the whole podcast but the prof could have done with mentioning them here. I have certainly heard neuroprofs point it out in the past.

[@wezsal]

Shifting the average level of intelligence up in the world would likely have a significant impact on society. A society with a higher average IQ may be more innovative, productive, and efficient in problem-solving. This could lead to advancements in various fields such as science, technology, and medicine. Additionally, a higher average IQ may also result in a more educated and informed population, leading to better decision-making and potentially reducing conflicts and misunderstandings. A society with higher intelligence may also be more open-minded and tolerant, leading to a more harmonious and accepting community. However, it is important to note that intelligence is just one aspect of a person's abilities and character. It does not necessarily guarantee empathy, kindness, or ethical behavior. Therefore, a society of people with higher IQs may still face challenges related to social inequalities, discrimination, and ethical dilemmas. Overall, while a society with higher intelligence may have some benefits, it is not a guarantee of a better society. It is important to consider other factors such as emotional intelligence, empathy, and ethical values in creating a truly thriving and harmonious community.

[@peppiping]

Probably one of the more uncomfortable episodes of the podcast but also one of the most interesting. The subject always runs dangerously close to eugenics.

[@calebamore]

How?

[@LockeLeon]

Eugenics is inevitable in the mid long term.

[@peppiping]

@@calebamore because some people believe that only people with higher IQ should have children.

[@calebamore]

@@peppiping But they didn't voice any support for that sort of thing or even allude to it. Even if they did you can talk about things with supporting them.

[@peppiping]

@@LockeLeon how

[@nobusinessofyours1772]

"It may give you a better memory in the short run, but it doesnt impact your g factor" probably because we dont have tests or exercises that truly isolate modes of brain activity for example working memory. In other words,,to even populate the working memory with digits, requires more out of your brain than merely working memory. If G factor is in fact a harmonious use of x number of brain functions, you now have a new constraint. Picture a crazy compound exercise in weightlifting using 20 muscles. 20 is an arbitrary number. It would stand to reason that improving one of those muscles would improve performance IF the posture one had been conditioned to adopt didnt depend on the previous performance spec of that muscle or if targeting that muscle was actually a meaningful constraint in the first place. The G factor or intelligence in this analogy would be something vague like the "athleticism" of the person performing this exercise. Athleticism as a term isnt really useful in exercise physiology, its useful in "pizza with the boys" conversations, which is fine because we shouldnt be demanding a lot out of every type of conversation. Even the term "strength", useful in everyday conversations, isnt nearly precise enough for that field when talking about different tasks performed by muscle fibers. When we're talking about intelligence we're talking about the most complex object in the known universe and all of the constraints therein, just at the physical level. To say nothing of the constraints that effect people at the level of ideas, implicitly or explicitly. " im not a math person, i get anxious" etc

[@danielstephenson]

Personally, I think it may be a simple case of the more intelligent you get the more objectively or subjectively may see your world. For example, the more intelligent a person becomes the more objectively he or she views the world from what is good for a society standpoint...but the lower intelligence subjective view is where things like love, connection and even fear come from...the things from which we derive happiness or accomplishment? That which gives us a feeling of a more fulfilled life..

[@95greenbug]

Disagree. Love is a hash tag of the brain. Your experience can not be thought of in a moment so the mind makes quick references to things you already know, without recalling every aspect about it. Hunters couldn't think about how or what to kill, it take too long and it would get aways and they'd starve to death. Similarly love, or what you enjoy only becomes a feeling because you have a lot of experience behind it. The more you think on something the more feelings you will have for it. The more emotional you will become over it. Now a smart person thinks about a lot of different things so, in some ways their love is shallow. However their love could be cross linked with a bunch of other feelings, thoughts and experiences. So Love for a smart person is just more complicated and categorically different then a quick hash tag feeling. Still love, just approached and rationalized so the emotions don't take up to much of their time.

[@apiranha1]

@@95greenbug Disagree. Thought /= Love. Though… many branches come to mind that support T = L. In which case, more thought would equal more love. There is no limit, therefor love is not diluted by quantity.

[@apiranha1]

@@95greenbug T /= L supports the original post, and = still contradicts yours.

[@95greenbug]

@@apiranha1 I do not completely disagree with thought association to love. However thoughts are often random but the associations made perhaps from archetypes of the brain more than likely provide pattern. If you like something which reflects a pattern of expectations. More thoughts only solidify the feeling. The feeling is separate from the actual information, the memory. Although it is associated via thought. A person forgets thoughts but retains the feelings. The feeling is a direct association made for the brain to think faster. So it doesn't have to go over every detail of thought.

[@apiranha1]

@@95greenbug I agree with all of that

[@janekmundt579]

It’s called learning. And an IQ test isn’t really a good indicator anyway. It reflects your knowledge compared to age. It’s very easy to see how for example a better learning environment or teacher could result in a big difference in IQ even though two persons are just as capable of learning as the other. So don’t let them affect your self esteem.

[@azathoth4473]

I think our current measurement of Intelligence has bunch of flaws in it

[@jasonmiller1076]

Social problems aren't just because of a low iq. You can have a high iq and be emotionally unstable AF

[@soulfuzz368]

True but we do find most social problems in low IQ individuals. There is for sure a correlation but it is not deterministic.

[@FortWhenTeaThyme]

Interesting on the point about happiness is a gene called the "warrior or worrier" gene colloquially. Two copies of worrier generally lead to a ~30% increase in your ability to solve analytical problems due to an increase of dopaminergic activity in the prefrontal cortex. It is also associated with a massive increase in anxiety. Two copies of warrior, and you're significantly less anxious, less analytical, and make for a much better warrior who doesn't fear death so much. I have a double copy of worrier, and have to take two medications to keep my anxiety in check. The problem with being able to explore dozens of option paths in your brain...is that you have the ability to follow dozens of option paths in your brain.