View Full Version : Britons smarter than the French
InsaneApache
03-27-2006, 11:51
But dumber than the Germans. :oops:
BRITAIN and France have experienced long periods of conflict and rivalry but now victory in one area can be claimed: Britons are more intelligent than the French.
But it is not all good news. Top of the table were the Germans, with an IQ of 107. The British were also beaten by the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Italy, Austria and Switzerland.
clicky (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2105519,00.html)
I wonder what the deal would be if the US was included? Are some US states smarter than others?
:sweatdrop:
Banquo's Ghost
03-27-2006, 12:09
Hmm. If the article is anything to go by, Professor Lynn's methodology leaves a lot to be desired. He appears to be the latest in a long line of bump-feelers and cranium measurers. :dizzy2:
I'm glad to see our national stereotype in Ireland being confirmed. :2thumbsup:
I love this quote:
Professor Lynn ascribes the differences between British and French intelligence levels to the results of military conflict. He described it as “a hitherto unrecognised law of history” that “the side with the higher IQ normally wins, unless they are hugely outnumbered, as Germany was after 1942”.
:no: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4: :laugh4:
Kanamori
03-27-2006, 12:28
At any rate, we all know that the results are true, so crituiqing the study does no good at all.:laugh4:
Are some US states smarter than others?
Don't ask questions that are likely to hurt feelings. So rude.:no:
Louis VI the Fat
03-27-2006, 12:47
In France, IQ scores in Paris were much higher than those in rural areas.
:sweatdrop:
Rodion Romanovich
03-27-2006, 13:29
Just an obvious question: was the IQ test questions in English or German :laugh:
Dutch_guy
03-27-2006, 13:36
Beaten by the Germans ...reminds me of '74...
Just an obvious question: was the IQ test questions in English or German
And judging by Germanies results I'd say the test was in German :laugh4: .
:balloon2:
doc_bean
03-27-2006, 13:48
We've had a discussion on IQ tests before, they're pretty worthless really...
We've had a discussion on IQ tests before, they're pretty worthless really...
Beat me to it. :sweatdrop:
King Henry V
03-27-2006, 15:04
I see that the Celtic genes are dragging Britain down. ;-)
KukriKhan
03-27-2006, 15:11
But dumber than the Germans. :oops:
clicky (http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2105519,00.html)
I wonder what the deal would be if the US was included? Are some US states smarter than others?
:sweatdrop:
http://www.sq.4mg.com/IQ-States.htm
Kanamori
03-27-2006, 15:26
Well, Texas is pretty similar to France, but Wisconsin is nicely placed.~:)
Professor Lynn ascribes the differences between British and French intelligence levels to the results of military conflict. He described it as “a hitherto unrecognised law of history” that “the side with the higher IQ normally wins, unless they are hugely outnumbered, as Germany was after 1942”.
HA!!!:laugh4:
If that was true then USA should be significantly more intelligent than the rest of us. Especially agaisnt Japan it seems. Nice little flawed theory.
DemonArchangel
03-27-2006, 16:30
Thing is Kraxis, the Russians are hardly a dumb people.
HA!!!:laugh4:
If that was true then USA should be significantly more intelligent than the rest of us. Especially agaisnt Japan it seems. Nice little flawed theory.
America is huge. Therefore it outnumbers most of its enemies.
Britain is small, and is therefore outnumbered. Yet we still win. Geniuses.
;)
Major Robert Dump
03-27-2006, 16:41
I dont think SATs and ACTs accurately reflect IQ, because aside from the test its mostly little snot nosed kids who take them, and in many cases they take them 2,3,4,5 times between the ages of 16-18 so they can get a better and better score.
Oh, and an american company just admitted to miscoring a few thousand over the last couple years, and admits they havent been doing double checks on scores
the best way to guage IQ is average breast size of the female population
doc_bean
03-27-2006, 16:52
the best way to guage IQ is average breast size of the female population
The Netherlands and Belgium would rule such a survey !
Poor Japan though...
its mostly little snot nosed kids who take them, and in many cases they take them 2,3,4,5 times between the ages of 16-18 so they can get a better and better score.
the best way to guage IQ is average breast size of the female population
i resent that comment, we deserve some respect :2thumbsup:
i agree with the last bit though :book:
King Henry V
03-27-2006, 16:58
So would that mean that women with large breasts had larger IQs?:inquisitive:
doc_bean
03-27-2006, 16:59
So would that mean that women with large breasts had larger IQs?:inquisitive:
Does it matter ? :laugh4:
Rank Bajin
03-27-2006, 17:12
:inquisitive:
Well if I am actually following this guy's work, it must mean that the Scots must have dropped points in the past few years. ~:confused:
In the book The Wealth of Nations, which he had co-authored with Tatu Vanhanen in 2003, he actually placed the average Scottish IQ as being 104 (Northern Ireland's was also put down as 102) thus it was much higher than the UK average. Now the Scottish figure has gone down to 97. :help:
What the hell has happened? Have us Scots actually got more dumber over the last few years or perhaps it might actually be something to do with the really big influx of English immigrants which have been settling here in the past few years or so... ~:joker: ~;)
For all I know he might have got his results from the average Old Firm supporter - which will actually make the Scottish figure look alot of sense actually, well even though I would think it is still very generous in their regards. :laugh4:
Or could it even be that this fellow is, well... talking a load of bollocks?
:edit: Some spelling mistakes
Thing is Kraxis, the Russians are hardly a dumb people.
I'm not sure what you mean... But as far as I know Russia/SU has won more wars than it has lost. Therefor the population should be pretty intelligent.
Btw, dumb = don't know much. That doesn't mean you can't be intelligent. Also you can be very intelligent and still quite dumb.
LeftEyeNine
03-27-2006, 18:30
Yippee-yay ! We are above Serbians but still at the bottom :laugh4:
Blodrast
03-28-2006, 01:37
Does it matter ? :laugh4:
Excellent point ! :laugh4:
I wonder how silicone would influence the results though... would it qualify as artificial intelligence ? ~;)
"Professor Lynn, who caused controversy last year by claiming that men were more intelligent than women by about five IQ points on average, said that populations in the colder, more challenging environments of Northern Europe had developed larger brains than those in warmer climates further south."
Both may be true, but what a bastard!
Avicenna
03-28-2006, 08:00
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/8/88/Sketch-4race-transparent.png/800px-Sketch-4race-transparent.png
Hmm
Ironside
03-28-2006, 08:34
"Professor Lynn, who caused controversy last year by claiming that men were more intelligent than women by about five IQ points on average, said that populations in the colder, more challenging environments of Northern Europe had developed larger brains than those in warmer climates further south."
Both may be true, but what a bastard!
I'm wondering what he's saying about the fact that the IQ has increased about 20 points since the first tests.
We have really improved genetically the last 100 years :laugh4:
And brain size and IQ has a quite low correlation when it comes to humans anyway.
Rodion Romanovich
03-28-2006, 08:48
I'm wondering what he's saying about the fact that the IQ has increased about 20 points since the first tests.
We have really improved genetically the last 100 years :laugh4:
Not to mention how easy it is to improve yourself genetically in a few hours of practicing IQ test :laugh4: It's possible to improve by some 20-50 points or so with a little practise :2thumbsup:
Banquo's Ghost
03-28-2006, 09:23
I'm wondering what he's saying about the fact that the IQ has increased about 20 points since the first tests.
We have really improved genetically the last 100 years :laugh4:
And brain size and IQ has a quite low correlation when it comes to humans anyway.
Aye, and since Italy came in high up, it rather knocks a hole in both his theory of North v South, and the war-winning thing. ~D
We dutch rule along with ze germans, 107 on average :2thumbsup:
Vladimir
03-28-2006, 14:09
Hmm
What? All I see are 4 differently colored Cyclones.
I've something similar a while ago. As I remember it had some different results:
US: 99
Japan: 110
Netherlands: 100
Belgium: 101
Germans: 104
Korea (Don't know if it was north or south, I guess it was south): 107
These were the numbers I rememered. I've looked this up a while ago because of a thread here called are Americans dumber or something similar.
A.Saturnus
03-29-2006, 20:11
Ahh, Professor Lynn. Unfortunately for most of his publications IQ-tests are not that easily comparable as he would like to have it. IQ-tests are usually localized, what makes them uncomparable. Unlocalized tests have the danger of being culturally unfair. Unless you use tests that only test fluid intelligence (which is culture independent). But that would compromise ecological validity. What he does is not voodoo science but IQ-tests simply can't do what he wants them to do.
He also is much to quick to jump to conclusions (which may have to do with media attention). He may have had some data that says that men are more intelligent than women, but I've seen numerous, large studies that found no difference. It's commonly accepted in psychmetrics that men and women are equal in IQ. But there are structural differences in their IQ, which makes fairness of the tests very important.
He may have had some data that says that men are more intelligent than women, but I've seen numerous, large studies that found no difference. It's commonly accepted in psychmetrics that men and women are equal in IQ. But there are structural differences in their IQ, which makes fairness of the tests very important.
The average man has more braincells than the average women, according to what I`ve read. But that doesn`t necessarily have anything to do with intelligence.
Ironside
03-29-2006, 20:57
The average man has more braincells than the average women, according to what I`ve read. But that doesn`t necessarily have anything to do with intelligence.
The average man is also slightly bigger that the average woman.
The average man is also slightly bigger that the average woman.
But you can`t make a conclusion out of that, can you? It could be the same number in proportion, ok.
scotchedpommes
03-29-2006, 21:13
Good to see Serbia down there with the cretinous.
yesdachi
03-29-2006, 22:37
The average man is also slightly bigger that the average woman.
As long as it’s the brain that’s being measured (and not the belly, hips or rump) it would make sense. It does in the comics. (http://www.marveloverpower.com/OverPower/Marvel_OverPower/MarvelOverpowerPics/moppower/7Intellect_Leader.jpg)~D
Byzantine Prince
03-30-2006, 01:23
More/bigger brain smart does not make.
Average intelligence of a population is also very meaningless.
IQ tests are very meaningless.
Bank acount means everything.
Any arguments?
PS: Do Britons not live in France? I don't think UK people count as Briton anymore.
Evil_Maniac From Mars
03-30-2006, 01:25
But dumber than the Germans. :oops:
:2thumbsup:
Kaiser of Arabia
03-30-2006, 04:07
We beat France!
Not that surprising. Shaving and soap really boosts IQ ~:)
Or does it? Muwhahahaha! We shall never know that it is really a manaical plot to world dominatioN!
Well since my IQ is significantly higher then the average Frenchman - that must make me smarter then all the French combined. :laugh4:
PanzerJaeger
03-30-2006, 07:35
Germans prove to be superior yet again. (Even if the test is BS)
Tribesman
03-30-2006, 08:06
Germans prove to be superior yet again.
For something to be proven "yet again" then it is usually expected to have had it proven in the first place .
Good nationalist identification thread anyway.
Papewaio
03-30-2006, 08:31
The average man has more braincells than the average women, according to what I`ve read. But that doesn`t necessarily have anything to do with intelligence.
Just like a chip it is the number of concurrent connections and speed of processing that determines the ability to crunch numbers.
A large brain that works slowly and/or has few connections can be less intellignet then a smaller brain with more connections per cell.
If anything you need to compare the number and complexity of connections to get an indication of intelligence... and even then that does not give you any idea if they connections are flexible (the ability to learn something new for instance).
Byzantine Prince
03-30-2006, 09:03
Here's an interesting article. Maybe the French suffer from getting too smart too fast. :inquisitive: :wall:
CNN-link (http://edition.cnn.com/2006/TECH/science/03/29/smart.brains.ap/index.html)
Netherlands: 100
Belgium: 101
.
Obviously this cannot be. I have seen your roads.
Obviously this cannot be. I have seen your roads.
lol, yeah our roads. But Why is it then Dutch always get lost when they're here while we can always find our ways here and in the Netherlands.
;)
lol, yeah our roads. But Why is it then Dutch always get lost when they're here while we can always find our ways here and in the Netherlands.
;)
Finding your way in the Netherlands is easy, there are roadsigns and that sort of stuff. But in Belgium....madness. I was in Brugge this week, dear god. Stopped at a red light and found myselve on a friggin freeway, who on earth put that thing there???? The fact that there are still a few belgians left is the best argument for intelligent design I have ever heard.
InsaneApache
03-30-2006, 17:56
I have to agree. Belgium is a nightmare to drive through. The signage is, at best, confusing, wrong or even non-existant.
I have to agree. Belgium is a nightmare to drive through. The signage is, at best, confusing, wrong or even non-existant.
That is in case the GERMANS invade again :hide:
A.Saturnus
03-30-2006, 21:06
I have to agree. Belgium is a nightmare to drive through. The signage is, at best, confusing, wrong or even non-existant.
But you can see the roads at night. From space!
Evil_Maniac From Mars
03-30-2006, 22:14
That is in case the GERMANS invade again :hide:
We're smart enough to have MAPS. :juggle2:
Unlike the French.*
*See 1870
Watchman
03-30-2006, 22:29
HUMANS INSIST THEY ARE NOT DUMBER THAN RICE - Many believed to be correct (http://www.satirewire.com/news/april02/rice.shtml)
For some reason that seemed pretty appropriate here. :balloon2:
Finding your way in the Netherlands is easy, there are roadsigns and that sort of stuff. But in Belgium....madness. I was in Brugge this week, dear god. Stopped at a red light and found myselve on a friggin freeway, who on earth put that thing there???? The fact that there are still a few belgians left is the best argument for intelligent design I have ever heard.
Sorry if we made it not easy enough ~;p
I have never experienced problems in Brugge about finding my way.
Strike For The South
04-01-2006, 19:16
Germans prove to be superior yet again. (Even if the test is BS)
You know what Panzer youre right. The Germans in some ways are just superior to other races. Of course I doubt theyll do anything with this information.
You know what Panzer youre right. The Germans in some ways are just superior to other races. Of course I doubt theyll do anything with this information.
:no: :help: :no:
Watchman
04-01-2006, 22:10
These days I suspect they'd mostly get very anxious and try to change the topic. I'm under the strong impression, also from personal contact with a few Germans, that they've developed a cultural knee-jerk rejection of certain types of ideas.
Can't blame them, really.
Philippus Flavius Homovallumus
04-01-2006, 22:37
I read a book once called "Guns, Germs and Steel."
The author said that people in the Philipines teneded to be the most intelligant because they had a healthy lifestyle and a low population density, so if they got killed it was because they did something stupid, rather than because of disease or all out war.
By contrast Europeans weren't as intelligant but they were more robust and tenacious. My father would maintain that the graph posted above is accurate and he's been all over the world.
In any case IQ is dodgy and intelligance is usually as much culture as genetics, at least.
Watchman
04-01-2006, 22:42
Genetics, or at least heredity, is pretty irrelevant. "Intelligence is an aquired trait." It's one of those "use it or lose it" issues.
A.Saturnus
04-02-2006, 16:00
Genetics, or at least heredity, is pretty irrelevant. "Intelligence is an aquired trait." It's one of those "use it or lose it" issues.
No, not exactly. Genetics do play a role. Fluid intelligence seems to be rather stable and independent of education. Those with a genetical advantage have a headstart on those without it (pun intended, but only for the insiders). The phrase "use it or lose it" refers more to the development of intelligence in old age.
Watchman
04-02-2006, 16:45
Not really. Intellectual stimulation is pretty useful and conductive to the developement and maintenance of what might be termed "cleverness" at every point, I understand. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," you know.
'Course, some people don't seem to get better anyway. It's still difficult to believe they're worse off as a result compared to what they'd be without such stimuli, though.
A.Saturnus
04-02-2006, 17:19
Not really. Intellectual stimulation is pretty useful and conductive to the developement and maintenance of what might be termed "cleverness" at every point, I understand. "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy," you know.
'Course, some people don't seem to get better anyway. It's still difficult to believe they're worse off as a result compared to what they'd be without such stimuli, though.
Of course intellectual stimulation is useful. It can even prolong your life. But that doesn't warrant the conclusion that hereditary influences have no effect. In fact, evidence says that the heritability of intelligence currently increases in the Western world!
Watchman
04-02-2006, 17:38
"Pretty irrelevant" and "has no effect" aren't synonyms, you know. Anyway, I'd bet my money on the supposed "heritability of intelligence currently increasing in the Western world" more on the effects home environment has on personal developement and aquired values, remembering the little detail that aquired traits aren't very biologically hereditary. Case in point: my mother's academic career and my constant exposure to it at home must've had quite a beneficial effect to my degree of "intelligence", however now exactly defined.
A.Saturnus
04-06-2006, 18:16
The evidence doesn't allow to conclude that intelligence is an acquired trait. Sure it's not by far only genetics, but both genetics and environment have important influences.
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