Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

aptiquant.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

41–50 of 64 posts

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#41

Post by niels_olson »

redthrowaway wrote: post #40
waterlesscloud wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bet adblock usage peaks between 120-130 iq and drops off on either side. This is a wild, completely speculative hunch for which I have no evidence.

So I get putting a lower bound on it, as it would take exposure to technical communities (even if it's just 4chan) that usually comes from inquisition and information-seeking, but what do you propose as the means by which there would exist an upper bound?

Experts in other domains who simply don't give a hoot about web browsers.

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#42

Post by Steko »

CognitiveLens wrote: post #23
jleader wrote: post #2

This is the first time I've ever heard of ads for a "free IQ test" actually leading to the real thing! The paper uses the word "significant" quite a few times, but never mentions the significance level, or confidence intervals, or any other indication of the statistical quality (or lack thereof) of this data. The large number of subjects (100K) suggests that the results may be valid, but it would be nice to see this…

There's a major validity problem with the sampling method, and exterm points out a pretty glaring bias, so high numbers don't necessarily improve validity, only reliability. Random sampling would be much better than opt-in sampling, but it's obviously pretty difficult to do that in practice.

Would be nice if they could control for household income as well, you'd see much of the differences disappear.

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#43

Post by dbdoug »

A couple of points. First: In the paper, Aptiquant claims that over 100,000 took a Weschler (IV) test in 4 weeks. According to wikipedia, a Weschler test takes about 15 minutes. That's an awful lot of people looking for free IQ tests, and spending 15 minutes each on the site. Second: Check out Aptiquant's site. Maybe I'm stupid, but I was unable to find a single active 'Free IQ Test' link.

And another - Aptiquant's results (if they are real) are from a self-selected group. Does the need to take a free online IQ test relate to your IQ?

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#44

Post by dorkwagon »

redthrowaway wrote: post #40
waterlesscloud wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bet adblock usage peaks between 120-130 iq and drops off on either side. This is a wild, completely speculative hunch for which I have no evidence.

So I get putting a lower bound on it, as it would take exposure to technical communities (even if it's just 4chan) that usually comes from inquisition and information-seeking, but what do you propose as the means by which there would exist an upper bound?

I imagine that people of high intelligence would be more likely to understand the greater implications of using ad blockers (driving the creations of paywalls, etc.) and so would be less likely to block ads, even when they know how to do so. It's hard to draw conclusions, though--who knows if this chain of speculation actually leads back to a significant confounding factor?

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#45

Post by code_duck »

Steko wrote: post #42
CognitiveLens wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's a major validity problem with the sampling method, and exterm points out a pretty glaring bias, so high numbers don't necessarily improve validity, only reliability. Random sampling would be much better than opt-in sampling, but it's obviously pretty difficult to do that in practice.

Would be nice if they could control for household income as well, you'd see much of the differences disappear.

All browsers are provided free of charge and will run equally well on an average piece of hardware. Why do you think browser use is related to income?

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#46

Post by CognitiveLens »

w1ntermute wrote: post #31
CognitiveLens wrote: post #30

> it is a clear indication that individuals on the lower side of the IQ scale tend to resist a change/upgrade of their browsers. AptiQuant needs to review their correlation/causation definitions. Resisting change is one plausible explanation, but the only thing the data clearly show is that the people who scored low on this IQ test tended to be using out of date browsers at the time they took the test. "Resistance" i…

> I choose to go with the reverse explanation: older browsers actively reduce user intelligence. Do you have any reason for that? Because frankly it just sounds ridiculous. It would make sense that someone with a higher IQ would be able to consider the possibility that their browser was replaceable and take the necessary steps to replace it. But I don't see how which browser you use could have an appreciable effect o…

you and inconditus are both correct - the 'reverse' explanation is ridiculous.

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#47

Post by redthrowaway »

dorkwagon wrote: post #44
redthrowaway wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So I get putting a lower bound on it, as it would take exposure to technical communities (even if it's just 4chan) that usually comes from inquisition and information-seeking, but what do you propose as the means by which there would exist an upper bound?

I imagine that people of high intelligence would be more likely to understand the greater implications of using ad blockers (driving the creations of paywalls, etc.) and so would be less likely to block ads, even when they know how to do so. It's hard to draw conclusions, though--who knows if this chain of speculation actually leads back to a significant confounding factor?

They would also be aware of game theory, and may choose to use adblock but not tell anyone, or even actively campaign against it while using it themselves.

I'm not suggesting smart people are unethical, but rather that ethicality and intelligence are fairly orthogonal, and that your proposed means seems to have more to do with the former than the latter.

As to the speculation, you are of course right. I'm just putting off studying. Speaking of which...

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#48

Post by alexgartrell »

redthrowaway wrote: post #47
dorkwagon wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I imagine that people of high intelligence would be more likely to understand the greater implications of using ad blockers (driving the creations of paywalls, etc.) and so would be less likely to block ads, even when they know how to do so. It's hard to draw conclusions, though--who knows if this chain of speculation actually leads back to a significant confounding factor?

They would also be aware of game theory, and may choose to use adblock but not tell anyone, or even actively campaign against it while using it themselves. I'm not suggesting smart people are unethical, but rather that ethicality and intelligence are fairly orthogonal, and that your proposed means seems to have more to do with the former than the latter. As to the speculation, you are of course right. I'm just puttin…

It's also potentially the case that intelligent people recognize that it's silly to be completely upset over ads and that few sides with really obnoxious ads have good content in the first place. Perhaps, to them, it's just not worth the trouble.

But neither is trying to convince anyone on the internet that you're smart in the first place.

Re: IQ scores in relation to web browser choice

#50

Post by sidmitra »

balakk wrote: post #24
katieben wrote: post #11

Who uses Opera and why?

I've been using Opera for about 11 years now. When I started, there was nothing that was better. Even with that huge advertisement widget. It still is extremely competitive, if not leading in most things. For casual browsing it is unmatched. It's not about one feature; it's the completeness of the whole browser. Things that you'd expect in Firefox/Chrome in extensions are built in here. It's still as fast as Chrome t…

I agree with balakk on all of his points, since that's when i started using Opera too, around version 2. It still is the most complete browser experience without requiring any extensions.

Another thing that makes me stick to it is the integrated mail client. It's extremely minimal, out of the way if you don't need it. My browser is always open, so having a built in client, that indexes my email, and is searchable even if i'm offline is definitely awesome. I don't need to use Thunderbird, etc, since the minimal features are all i need. Give it a spin!

Post reply on HN