RE: IQ and age

Clay Olbon II <olbon@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
>Seriously, you ignore the correlation between performance in college and
standardized test scores.  There is a reason these are used in admissions - they
are actually pretty good predictors of the ability to perform college level
work. <
 
This is a commonly held fiction that is not supported by the evidence. As stated
in another message, the infomration given out by ETS, who administer the GMAT
and SAT, indicate that there is a low correlation between GMAT scores and
successful completion of even first year education programs. This also ignores
the issue of why other, better, widely available predictors are not used
instead.
 
>Oh, I forgot.  Only certain racial/ethnic groups are capable of understanding
basic mathematical concepts. <
 
There was a good Scientific American article on cultural influences on learning
within the last year or two. It examined Asian groups noted achievements in
tests and the parental and cultural support for scholastic achievement.
 
Another anecdotal example is in the opening chapters of "Surely You're Joking,
Mr. Feynman" by Richard Feynman, the late Caltech professor and general bon
vivant. He describes how his mother introduced a doctor, a general and a
professor with the same respectful tones indicating to him that a career in
academia was as highly valued as any other high position in society.
 
>I happen to feel better believing in the potential for any individual in this
country to succeed through hard work. <
 
I do to. But how good are your feelings as predictors of actual success?
 
James

jbugden@smtplink.alis.ca wrote:
> Clay Olbon II <olbon@ix.netcom.com> wrote:
> >Seriously, you ignore the correlation between performance in college and
> >standardized test scores.  There is a reason these are used in admissions - they
> >are actually pretty good predictors of the ability to perform college level
> >work.

> This is a commonly held fiction that is not supported by the evidence. As stated
> in another message, the infomration given out by ETS, who administer the GMAT
> and SAT, indicate that there is a low correlation between GMAT scores and
> successful completion of even first year education programs. This also ignores
> the issue of why other, better, widely available predictors are not used
> instead.

> >Oh, I forgot.  Only certain racial/ethnic groups are capable of understanding
> >basic mathematical concepts. <

> There was a good Scientific American article on cultural influences on learning
> within the last year or two. It examined Asian groups noted achievements in
> tests and the parental and cultural support for scholastic achievement.
> Another anecdotal example is in the opening chapters of "Surely You're Joking,
> Mr. Feynman" by Richard Feynman, the late Caltech professor and general bon
> vivant. He describes how his mother introduced a doctor, a general and a
> professor with the same respectful tones indicating to him that a career in
> academia was as highly valued as any other high position in society.

Speaking of Feynman (who was not only a scientific genius, but was rather
shrewd in his personal judgements as well), when approached by David Lifton
(I believe) on the subject of the sudden large-volume displacement of JFK's
upper torso in the fatal head shot, Feynman found a subtle inconsistency
in the frames of the film, and thereby excused himself from rendering an
opinion.

For comparison, when Allen Dulles was confronted directly with the same
evidence, he said "I don't see any backward movement".

Dale Thorn <dthorn@gte.net> writes:
> Speaking of Feynman (who was not only a scientific genius, but was rather
> shrewd in his personal judgements as well), when approached by David Lifton
> (I believe) on the subject of the sudden large-volume displacement of JFK's
> upper torso in the fatal head shot, Feynman found a subtle inconsistency
> in the frames of the film, and thereby excused himself from rendering an
> opinion.

Hi Dale,

The Kennedy motherfucker deserved to die. Whoever shot him did the right thing.

Joe Kennedy was a murderous bootlegger gangster who bought the presidency for
his kid. The French did a great job exterminating their aristos during the
Revolution. So did the Russians. That's what this country needs.

Who cares who shot Kennedy as long as he aimed well. :-)

---

Dr.Dimitri Vulis KOTM
Brighton Beach Boardwalk BBS, Forest Hills, N.Y.: +1-718-261-2013, 14.4Kbps