Discussion about this post

User's avatar
Ivan's avatar

What a great essay. As someone from a working-class background I've always wondered why I struggled in school and at university. After many failed attempts at trying to finish a degree, and after many years of trying to figure out why, the last few years it all made sense when I discovered the IQ and heritability literature. At first it was hard to accept that I wasn't bright enough to finish higher education - it's a uncomfortable realisation to accept that there are limits on one's own abilities - but I've now accepted the reality and found some peace with that fact. I just wish cognitive ability, which is mediated by genes, and it's correlation with life outcomes was more commonly accepted in society, we then would have less talk about "privilege", "systemic racism", etc.

Expand full comment
Tim Condon's avatar

The US also asks the impossible of its public schools. My hope is that we will follow the science--gwas studies--and eventually come up with more realistic goals for public education.

Expand full comment
20 more comments...

No posts