From: E. Shaun Russell (e_shaun@uniserve.com)
Date: Tue Jan 07 1997 - 21:45:50 MST
On 07/01/97, The Low Willow wrote:
>
>I thought we were closer to 5.9gigs. At any rate, whatever happened to
>statistics and random sampling?
Personally (and it is merely IMO) I think that random sampling only
works to an extent. Random sampling leaves a very wide margin of bias
unless the sampler makes it clear about the circumstance in which he tested.
In de Garis' case, if I am to accept that his 'estimation' is random
sampling, I'd like to see who and what he tested. What kind of statement is
'5% of all geniuses are women'? It is impossible for him to prove this
statement unless he asks *all* geniuses. Either that, or I'd like to see
*how* he tested these people.
>Still need to define genius, of course, and then make a test. What
>_are_ people's definitions of geniuses? By my scale, males and females
>are even: I'm not sure I personally know any. Would be surprised if I
>did. I'm not sure offhand that I know *of* any. Or what my definition
>is. Whups.
The term 'genius' unto itself is fairly subjective: what one person
sees as as 'genius' may not be what another sees...which is probably your
point. I (again, IMO) don't think there is any limit (other than those with
debilitating mental disorders etc.) to the amount of potential geniuses on
this planet. I see many members on this list as geniuses. The question is
this: should there be some collective definition or test of genius? Does it
truly matter that my 'Intelligence Quotient' is 156? I've learned important
things from simpletons and geniuses alike; one could argue that *everyone*
is a genius in his or her own way. In the same effect, one could argue that
there is *no such thing* as 'genius'. I don't think that it is so much what
one knows, or the capacity one has to learn, but what that person does with
what they have. Do they maximize their ability? Do they enjoy life for
what it is worth? That, to me, is much more important in labelling genius
than judging one by his or her aquired knowledge or experience...regardless
of gender.
Ingredi Externus!
-E. Shaun Russell
_________________________________________________________________________
0
~~~:~~~> E. ternity E. Shaun Russell
:~~> E. xpansion e_shaun@uniserve.com
:~~~> E. xtropy Extropian poet\musician,
Transhumanities editor for
"Divided we stand, together we rise" Homo Excelsior Magazine
-Derek W. Dick http://www.excelsior.org
_________________________________________________________________________
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.5 : Fri Nov 01 2002 - 14:43:58 MST