What is the best theory for what intelligence is?

[drfuzzy]

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DFM,

There's so much to unpack here that I struggle with where to begin.

I will immediately agree that attempts at quantifying intelligence (IQ tests) are mostly bullshit; a fact that has been long understood. I encourage you to read Stephen Jay Gould's The Mismeasure of Man. Even if we were to take IQ at face value, there is little practicality. I would not have asked Einstein to fix my car, nor would I ask my mechanic to help me solve a physics problem. The issue with IQ is what if Einstein was actually an excellent mechanic or that my regular mechanic had a passion for physics? Each would outclass each other in their discipline, but it does not necessarily inhibit either from being valuable otherwise.

Some of what follows in your post reminds me of when my son tried to extole the superiority of blue collar vs. white collar over a decade ago when I lit into his ass because he was blowing off homework for the sake of some immediate gratification. Don't get me wrong, I would still rather spend time in a batting cage or play my bass than work everyday, but only a few are capable of making a living that way. 

I don't get why you call former peers in advanced classes stupid and immature. Leveraging my experience with my son you come across as someone that simply doesn't want to put in the work and are using the idea of IQ to deflect accountability. How are you defining 'high echelons of society'? Unless things have drastically changed in 30 years, being in advanced classes punched your ticket into a class that didn't participate in high school high echelons of society. 

However you define high echelons of society and seemingly have always known what is required to get there, the only person you should be consulting regarding your frustration is in the mirror. Let's be honest though, most people that pursue intellectual occupations don't often make a shitload of money (again having to assume what you mean by high echelons of society). 

You started off with a meaningful quandary regarding IQ, only to taint it with what comes across as a lazy person's sense of entitlement. Everyone is born with natural limitations regarding the upper boundary on his/her physical or cognitive capability; that's a simple fact of life, but there's a lot of room to play before ever coming close to the boundary. Another fact is that much can be overcome and achieved through a passionate force of will manifesting itself in effort to achieve what you want. 

The lack of personal accountability that comes with your charge that others are where they are simply because of advantage betrays you. Others may have what you call advantages, but that's life. It's your responsibility to play the hand you're dealt by doing your proverbial homework.

Let me stop you where I bolded you. What you wrote here is a misinterpretation. I wasn't saying that the kids in advanced classes were stupid and immature. I was saying that I wished I could be in the advanced classes, where all the kids seemed cooler and more interesting, not the obnoxious swaggernauts who seem like boring unintelligent people in the regular classes. I always felt really out of place in those classes, I wished that I was around the kids in the advanced classes, because I felt like that would be a much better environment for me. 

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