Re: Flynn Effect explained?

From: Robin Hanson (rhanson@gmu.edu)
Date: Tue May 01 2001 - 07:40:33 MDT


On 4/22/2001, Mark Walker wrote:
>Miles Storfer has a more synthetic explanation, unifying the Flynn effect,
>with neocortex and myopia increase in a neo-Lamarckian explanatory framework
>(of all things): (http://www.gbhap.com/journals/148/storfer/top.htm)
>"International Journal of NEUROSCIENCE
>Autumn 1999:
>Special Monograph Issue on
>Myopia, Intelligence,
>and the Expanding Human Neocortex:
>Behavioral Influences and Evolutionary Implications
>
>FREE: DOWNLOAD THE ENTIRE ARTICLE
>
>
>In Volume 98, Numbers 3-4 of the the International Journal of Neuroscience,
>Dr. Miles Storfer, The Foundation for Brain Research, Delray Beach, FL. USA,
>proposes that the prenatal development of human intelligence can be
>influenced by our parents' postnatal environment - not by altering the DNA
>sequences of our protein-coding genes, but by changing the "developmental
>blueprint for gene expression" that unfolds in the womb (to wit, changes in
>the timing and extent of gene expression in environmentally-stressed
>portions of the developing neocortex). ...

Is this guy a flake or a genius? I just talked to William Dickens, who
wasn't impressed, but I was wondering: would our local experts in biology
and/or neurology might pass judgement? He seemed to me to have an impressive
command of a wide range of relevant evidence, but them I'm no expert the
topics he discusses.

Robin Hanson rhanson@gmu.edu http://hanson.gmu.edu
Asst. Prof. Economics, George Mason University
MSN 1D3, Carow Hall, Fairfax VA 22030-4444
703-993-2326 FAX: 703-993-2323



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