there IS a correlation between income and intelligence. The masses just got out of serfdom, just give it a few generations or so.</p>
<p>it very much IS possible to get out of poverty in a single generation though it might take some motivation. I’ve got a friend who grew up in mexico, came to America when he was 16 and had to learn English. He’s at UCI right now and is going for a master’s degree after he’s done with his BA.</p>
<p>if intellect doesn’t matter so much, then outside of pro-sports and the lottery(which is in essence a tax on those who can’t do math) who is actually capable of getting ahead? Generally it’s those who either work the hardest or who have the best mind. There’s a reason why there’s a general belief that the “smart kid” will end up as the jock’s boss. It might take a generation or two.</p>
<p>@ mikei: I completely, 100% agree with everything you stated so far. Additionally, there seems to be a legitimate lack of empathy on this topic. I won’t dive into this very much because mikei literally said everything and more that I would have, but Affirmative Action most definitely levels out the “playing field”. Do your research guys. For the lower class that generally holds the Majority of the minorities, it’s clear that their opportunities are significantly reduced and sometimes even non-existent.</p>
<p>I agree with what mikei proposed which is that a variety of social, financial, psychological, and personal factors should be incorporated while applying Affirmative Action. </p>
<p>Btw I’ll probably end up joining BAMN and a variety of these human rights/social organizations/peace groups at UCB if/when I get in. Anybody wanna join in with me?</p>
<p>Me too, Emil! I’m a libertarian in the ACLU, just to make sure they are representing the other side of the aisle. Thebigshow and mikei NAILED it. Couldn’t have said it better myself.</p>
<p>@ xelink “there IS a correlation between income and intelligence. The masses just got out of serfdom, just give it a few generations or so.”</p>
<p>Yeah maybe in some very bad studies where they give an IQ test to wealthy people than an IQ test to the poor and when the IQ tests come back lower for the poor they say: “Oh see look THAT’s why they’re poor!” Do you really not understand the flaws inherent to that kind of data? Or the inherent flaws to IQ testing in the first place?</p>
<p>Two your second point, that’s very nice for your friend. I also come from a very impoverished background and now attend UCLA. It makes for a great story and people feel warm and fuzzy when they hear it but that doesn’t discount the thousands of capable impoverished children that will never make it out of their situation because of the immense barriers to mobility that exist for the poor. Stories like your friend and mine are the exception, not the norm.</p>
<p>Outliers is actually in accord with xelink’s claims. There is no difference IQ-wise, but I think he called it “relative intelligence” is higher in wealthier children. This is because their parents are more aggressive with their child’s intellect as they grow. A wealthier kid can manipulate someone in a conversation better than a poor child.</p>
<p>@ janethedoe and kernlsanders: Awesome. lol. Let’s do it! …Crap we have to get into Berkeley first :p. But seriously, I’m definitely going to join some/perhaps many of those organizations. I’m really glad I’m not alone on this one lol! </p>
<p>I’m an Independent (leaning liberal). I used to be a liberal, then a Marxist lol, and now I’m just Independent.</p>
lol, and now I’m just Independent.</p>