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dvandom May 11 2009, 16:58:50 UTC
Um, you can't boost average IQ. It's a norm-referenced variable, the average is always 100 for a population. Also, IQ isn't intended to measure acquired knowledge or skills, it's supposed to measure aptitude, an inherent quantity that you can't teach.

Now, you can raise scores on IQ tests, but that's not the same thing. I mean, you can raise scores on IQ tests by making sure everyone can read at grade level (semi-literate students do poorly on written tests, natch), but that doesn't increase actual intelligence.

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the_s_guy May 11 2009, 23:51:30 UTC
National population IQs can be affected compared to global population IQ (set at 100). There's a list of national IQs floating around somewhere. I see no reason why a fraction (even a large fraction) of the world's IQ could be boosted compared to the average of the planet.

It's also possible to boost the average planetary IQ when compared to previous years, simply by comparing the raw test data. For example, while the world IQ at the moment is 100 in 2009-year IQ points, it may well be 105 in 1980-year IQ points, 110 in 1920-year IQ points, etc.

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metal_kitsune May 11 2009, 17:40:52 UTC
I love how you put the huge, world-changing idea after laundry and dishes. XD

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the_s_guy May 11 2009, 23:54:55 UTC
Amusingly, the inadequacies of current educational systems were brought up by another attendee in a completely unrelated, unprompted way during the meeting.

I couldn't resist. I simply slid my printed writeup across the table and said "Well, I've already made some notes on how to fix that, if you're interested..."

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