Gabriel writes, I am pleased to introduce our readers to Venus, she too is an unrepentant red and is also resident here in Ireland, Venus will be adding her own inimical take on the world from her own uniquely 'unrepentant' angle in future - Welcome on Board V.
A bogus academic report on the IQs of various US presidents has been in circulation since 2001. According to its assessment the highest IQ belongs to Bill Clinton at 182 closely followed by Jimmy Carter at 176 (this one is apparently true). At the other end of the scale is the current incumbent, the hapless Dubya with a score of 91. The content of this piece of satire has now passed into the realm of the urban myth as a generally believed truth, which begs a few questions. How did the US people re-elect a man so widely held to be below average intelligence? (The first election was a whole other story so let’s forgive them that). Could it be that intelligence is not an issue in US voting behaviour? On the other hand it could be that the US electorate simply treat IQ scores with the scepticism they deserve and have decided that these culturally biased tests simply show one thing – how well people score on IQ tests.
My brother in the US whose IQ has been measured at 148, also has the social skills of a 2-year-old and an almost total inability to maintain relationships with his wives, children or siblings. He did however vote for Dubya and remains a fervent supporter. I rest my case...
A bogus academic report on the IQs of various US presidents has been in circulation since 2001. According to its assessment the highest IQ belongs to Bill Clinton at 182 closely followed by Jimmy Carter at 176 (this one is apparently true). At the other end of the scale is the current incumbent, the hapless Dubya with a score of 91. The content of this piece of satire has now passed into the realm of the urban myth as a generally believed truth, which begs a few questions. How did the US people re-elect a man so widely held to be below average intelligence? (The first election was a whole other story so let’s forgive them that). Could it be that intelligence is not an issue in US voting behaviour? On the other hand it could be that the US electorate simply treat IQ scores with the scepticism they deserve and have decided that these culturally biased tests simply show one thing – how well people score on IQ tests.
My brother in the US whose IQ has been measured at 148, also has the social skills of a 2-year-old and an almost total inability to maintain relationships with his wives, children or siblings. He did however vote for Dubya and remains a fervent supporter. I rest my case...
9 comments:
Excellent point about what IQ tests measure, Gabriel. It's hard to measure the intelligence, if there is such a thing, of a politician, as they use whatever they may have in a completely different way to a human being. So when W presents the appearance of being an ignorant moron, it may be that polling has revealed that it scores him some kind of sympathy or credibility among a demographic of concern. In reality, he may be not only well informed and brilliant, but a very convincing actor, to boot.
As for Clinton and Carter, they may be able to fool the tests, but I can't imagine anyone familiar with their careers and what they say mistaking them for intelligent people. Or perhaps they have some devious schemes of their own.
Actually, depending on different sources.. those IQ scores vary greatly, including Jimmy Carter's, who, although he might have a high IQ, is a total idiot, who has no control over what comes out of his mouth.
There are no IG results for G.W. but people have figured out his IQ is between 115 and 125 (depending on the source) after computing his SAT scores.
Bush is simply dyslexic.
I linked to your blog.
Dubbya on 91? Must be a misprint. 19, surely...
These comments are most welcome and I hope you will all become regular contributors, as Venus said in her piece, the whole 'IQ' concept is fraught with difficulties for us progressives, perhaps it is better to simply say that Bush, regardless of his intelligence, has been a loyal and diligent servant for the interests of the rich and powerful throughout both the USA and the rest of the world.
"The content of this piece of satire has now passed into the realm of the urban myth as a generally believed truth, which begs a few questions. How did the US people re-elect a man so widely held to be below average intelligence?"
Er, because the lovenstein institute hoax did not come into existance untill AFTER the election was over? Plus the lovenstein institute hoax is not as widely disseminated as you might believe. The few liberals that come across it, fall for it.
Besides which, Bush's IQ is slightly higher than John Kerry's.
http://www.vdare.com/Sailer/kerry_iq_lower.htm
Well, Anon, as I said in my original musings, the "Lovenstein Institute" hoax was first circulated in 2001, Dubya was re-elected in 2004. That gives 3 years for W's alleged IQ to get around before the US voted. from my contacts in the States, I believe the fact that W has a low IQ is generally known, although the figure varies. But thanks for your comments - hope you enjoy the blog.
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