Gallup Poll discovers that 1/5th of Americans have an IQ of less than 75

**Divinus Arma** · 02-15-2006, 00:59

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/...aps/index.html

The problem with Democracy is that a large portion of the population consists of sheep.

**Seamus Fermanagh** · 02-15-2006, 01:01

I'd be reasonably happy if they weren't describing the highest quintile.

**Goofball** · 02-15-2006, 01:08

Originally Posted by Divinus Arma

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/02/...aps/index.html

The problem with Democracy is that a large portion of the population consists of sheep.

I think it can probably be chalked up to you average joe's inflated sense of his own importance.

"Of course my calls have been tapped! What, you think I'm not important enough to rate a wiretap!?!"

**Papewaio** · 02-15-2006, 01:56

Maybe it is more a reflection of the cultural diversity and lack of intergration into the wider society of individuals.

**Strike For The South** · 02-15-2006, 01:58

Or they like to think they actually have a say in the goverment.

**Kongamato** · 02-15-2006, 02:33

EDIT: Never mind.

**Skomatth** · 02-15-2006, 03:19

1/5th of Americans are terrorists.

**Gawain of Orkeny** · 02-15-2006, 03:23

Just let me quote a few lines from one of my favorite songs.

Paranoia strikes deep
Into your life it will creep

**Major Robert Dump** · 02-15-2006, 07:23

I think a highly comfortable, fast-paced liefstyle (especially if you have kids) encourages people to be out of touch. I realize IQ isn't necessarily about booksmarts and current events, but after a while peoples minds wane as they focus on themselves, their family and their needs. In fact, I believe our leaders want the vast majority of us to be stupid

Then throw in drugs, alcohol, sloth and a youth culture that values "coolness" more than "brains" and you get a happy mix of stupid people, myself included. Eat the poor.

**Harald Den BlåToth** · 02-15-2006, 08:22

IQ tests ascertain the level of knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge in genuine situations.
In other words, they measure the extent by wich certain notions and algorithms have been assimilated.
The only explanation is the lack of education. In the end, intelligence is nothing but learned behaviour.
75 is not that bad afterall. I'd be curious to learn more about the structure and the proportion of the sample they've used.

**Divinus Arma** · 02-15-2006, 08:25

Originally Posted by Harald Den BlåToth

IQ tests ascertain the level of knowledge and the ability to use this knowledge in genuine situations.
In other words, they measure the extent by wich certain notions and algorithms have been assimilated.
The only explanation is the lack of education. In the end, intelligence is nothing but learned behaviour.
75 is not that bad afterall. I'd be curious to learn more about the structure and the proportion of the sample they've used.

Obviously you failed to read the linky linky. Take another look.

And by the way, the high end of Down Syndrom is an IQ of around 75, but I could be wrong.

**solypsist** · 02-16-2006, 03:12

okay sorry this thread title is very misinformative. the article is about phone spying, etc. and thus is geared towards sensationalism rather than discussion.

start the thread anew with an ACCURATE subject heading, please.