Maggie's Farm

Murray is toxic because he demonstrates with hard evidence that intelligence has some genetic component and that races do not score equally even when environmental factors are accounted for. His cultural commentary is fascinating to those who read him, but that is not the source of the anger against him.

Murray is indeed centrist in that he believes there is a large environmental and cultural component. Even though there haven't been any clear environmental causes identified, other than lead paint or getting dropped on your head, it is required to believe it anyway. In most circles, it is required to believe that intelligence is entirely the result of environmental, especially social factors. But even the most liberal of academics who actually read the research quietly acknowledge the genetic side. They don't broadcast it, though. They want their careers to continue. Murray is just more courageous.

It's not just liberals. Conservatives keep insisting that lack of dads and holding kids and schools accountable is the key, because they can't get past the idea that co-occurring does not mean cause. Not when it upsets their narrative.

We Are Doomed, as John Derbyshire said.

The Flynn Effect tops out once children have consistent nutrition throughout childhood. That hasn't been an issue in America since the 1930's.

IQ is indeed overvalued. There is floor necessary for completing jobs or tasks. In only a few cases is that floor very high. There are some. There is additionally some benefit in most jobs for another dozen points. But mostly, above the floor other factors assert their importance. Determination. Charm. Honesty. Beauty. Luck. Physical skill. Judgement. Self-control. Kindness. Empathy. A hundred other qualities can be important. We get stuck on IQ because it is measurable, while the others usually aren't.