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Why do you think people are poor?

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Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#21

Post by [deleted] »

MartinCron wrote: post #16
planetguy wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This shouldn't be in the least bit controversial; it's well known that a great many human characteristics are extremely heritable, and it would be absolutely shocking if none of these characteristics turned out to be helpful or harmful in becoming rich or poor. But since you want sources, here we go: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21826061 "Genome-wide association studies establish that human intelligence is high…

Next up I will provide citations for the fact that the sky is blue, since we seem to be on a prove-the-bloody-obvious kick today... You can, and should, make your point without being so insulting and demeaning. We can do better than this.

[deleted]

Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#22

Post by ramses »

planetguy wrote: post #9
calinet6 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does it now? Cite your sources, please.

This shouldn't be in the least bit controversial; it's well known that a great many human characteristics are extremely heritable, and it would be absolutely shocking if none of these characteristics turned out to be helpful or harmful in becoming rich or poor. But since you want sources, here we go: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21826061 "Genome-wide association studies establish that human intelligence is high…

In academic circles it is not controversial at all. Outside of academia, people will always resist these facts.

However, keep in mind that this is one part of the puzzle, and always explicitly note that when talking about this subject in public to minimize negative reactions.

Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#23

Post by tokenadult »

codex wrote: post #13

Evolution encourages diversity. At any given point in time and place, some people are better adapted than others. The least adapted make up at least some of the poor. By this relative definition, some poor will always be with us, even though their standard of living is rising continually.

Evolution encourages diversity.

That's quite a general statement for the discussion here, which you then use to make a specific conclusion about the human behavioral issue under discussion in this thread. Could you kindly fill out the reasoning steps you are implicitly following with more citations to research on each factual assertion you are relying on?

even though their standard of living is rising continually

This is generally correct. A popular book on the issue (I don't endorse ALL its conclusions, but I like its citation of many different reliable references) is The Rational Optimist.

http://www.rationaloptimist.com/

Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#24

Post by godisdad »

planetguy wrote: post #9
calinet6 wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does it now? Cite your sources, please.

This shouldn't be in the least bit controversial; it's well known that a great many human characteristics are extremely heritable, and it would be absolutely shocking if none of these characteristics turned out to be helpful or harmful in becoming rich or poor. But since you want sources, here we go: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21826061 "Genome-wide association studies establish that human intelligence is high…

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Correlation_does_not_imply_caus...

Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#25

Post by zzeroparticle »

gms7777 wrote: post #11

I remember reading an article at one point about a study done on high school students. I can't remember exact details, but there was a program where students in areas with bad high schools could apply to be sent to better high schools. If I remember correctly, admission to the program wasn't merit based, but first-come, first-serve. The study compared the students who got into the program, and the students who applie…

I did find the lowering of barriers that would impede access to education like providing free meals, free transportation, and access to free babysitting to have been really helpful. In a way, it's like lowering the activation energy required to get motivated students into an environment where they can flourish.

Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#28

Post by maratd »

philwelch wrote: post #19
kaonashi wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Social Darwinism, really? I thought that went out of style with eugenics.

Stylishness is not equivalent to truth.

Mental masturbation isn't equivalent to it either. The idea that because you have more money in your bank account that makes you more fit ... is absurd. For every other species, we evaluate fitness based on the number of descendants. Not for humans? Why? A welfare mamma can pop out half a dozen kids. How many kids do you have?

Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#29

Post by emil0r »

Tichy wrote: post #12

Could somebody do a TL;DR, please? I am interested, but I am not sure where the article gets to the point?

One TL;DR would be that the liberal arts are very important. As such it follows that reading, words & meaning, as well as the pursuit of thought are very important. The conclusion is that you should read the article.

Re: Why do you think people are poor?

#30

Post by aero142 »

Tichy wrote: post #12

Could somebody do a TL;DR, please? I am interested, but I am not sure where the article gets to the point?

Umm. Poor people who learn philosophy understand the world better and might be better equipped to influence it. I guess that was the point. The author rambled a lot and implied a lot without saying much concrete. Pretty poor writing if the author's goal was rhetoric.
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