YanShen wrote:Boy, I can tell that some people on this forum would rather bite off their own arms than concede that certain individuals contribute disproportionately to human civilization.

NineBerry wrote:It's like saying a football team doesn't need defenders and midfielders because the strikers shoot all the goals...

Not to mention the coaches, masseurs, water boys, football manufacturers, ....

YanShen wrote:Chairman Bill, you've been reported for a personal insult. Try to keep the discussion civil and impersonal.

Made of Stars wrote:Anybody else smell socks?

As another person with an IQ >4SD above the mean, I consider myself evidence of the falsity of the OP. I've contributed virtually nothing of value to society. Except my genes.

Mazille wrote:
Well, I wouldn't call selling your soul and subsequently sucking the soul of others dry until nothing but black, shrivelled husks remain "nothing".

Made of Stars wrote:I not moderator, so it's just bullying instead.

As for the soul-sucking remarks:

Doubtdispelled wrote:So you aren't, MOS. Just goes to show how far behind the times I am!

chairman bill wrote:Er, I thought I was the Prince of Darkness & therefore the soul-sucker. Then again, I might have mis-heard the last bit ...

Made of Stars wrote:

chairman bill wrote:Er, I thought I was the Prince of Darkness & therefore the soul-sucker. Then again, I might have mis-heard the last bit ...

We could establish a committee. That's another thing intellectual elites love. Or so my 'Simple fool's guide to being an arrogant prick' says.

Made of Stars wrote:The soul-sucking remark from Mazille is a reference to my occupation. He's just jealous because I didn't use my expense account to buy him more of his excellent Austrian beer.

Mazille wrote:BUT, everyone has to assume that they are right in the first place and that the committee is only a formality anyway. That's how you elitists do that, right?

Mazille wrote:Well, I honestly wouldn't have said no to some more beers with you, mate, but - alas - you were busy sucking souls.

Mazille wrote:You're welcome to come back any time, though. The next beer's on me.

YanShen wrote:It's sometimes been stated that the top 10% of society, from an intellectual perspective, contribute virtually everything of value. If we want to be even more precise, we might argue that only the top few percent of the IQ distribution make any real scientific contributions to humanity. For instance, Geoffrey Miller has argued that an IQ of roughly 130 is generally the cut-off point required for being able to make original scientific contributions. If one assumes a normal distribution for IQ with a mean of 100 and a SD of 15, this corresponds roughly to the top 2.275% of society at large. The bottom line is quite clear. A few people are carrying the vast majority of society on their backs, allowing them to enjoy the accouterments of modern civilization.

And yet the left frequently despises what it labels as elitism. I struggle mightily to understand this sentiment. When a few people work hard and utilize their intellects, making vastly disproportionate contributions to humanity, shouldn't they be revered rather than scorned? Can someone explain where this source of anti-elitism comes from? Does anyone think that its vastly hypocritical for those on the left to criticize elitism on the one hand, but partake of the fruits of modern civilization on the other?

Made of Stars wrote:Don't underestimate the importance of formalising a formality though. Shall we take a vote? Can I get a second?