Ask HN: Define Genius

#1

Post by jeremynolan » Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 5:40 PM UTC

Does IQ really defines a genius? Tell HN your opinion on that.

Re: Ask HN: Define Genius

#2

Post by jws » Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 6:00 PM UTC

From the wikipedia article, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iq, the "positive correlations" section you can expect IQ to be useful predicting the following:

• SAT score.

• Job performance of a new hire when the new hire does not have existing experience.

• Income, but being at the extreme high end doesn't help much more than just being high.

• Health. (Some diseases are negatively correlated.)

• Committing violent crimes. (negative correlation.)

Genius is not in the list. I would suggest that it is something else entirely.

Re: Ask HN: Define Genius

#3

Post by ErrantX » Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 6:40 PM UTC

I have a very high IQ and wouldnt consider myself a genius!

Genius, IMO is about seeing things differently and sheer devotion to a cause. Einstein and Darwin would be examples of that. IQ tests do check for that (well not the devotion, but the thinking outside the box) but I dont think they represent it well.

Re: Ask HN: Define Genius

#4

Post by tweaqslug » Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 7:40 PM UTC

Nope.

Re: Ask HN: Define Genius

#5

Post by ErrantX » Sat, Mar 07, 2009, 10:42 AM UTC

ErrantX wrote: post #3

I have a very high IQ and wouldnt consider myself a genius! Genius, IMO is about seeing things differently and sheer devotion to a cause. Einstein and Darwin would be examples of that. IQ tests do check for that (well not the devotion, but the thinking outside the box) but I dont think they represent it well.

way to stereotype... ;)