surfsteve wrote:Is it really the tech sector that has the diversity problem? Why are people like Maxine Waters focusing on the industry to make hiring exceptions instead of blaming their own cultural flaws like rap music which promotes ignorance and stupidity? If she had a lick of common sense and decency she'd be out there criticizing those groups for dumbing down their own culture instead of trying to force the industry to hire those that are unqualified.
Truth be told the differences in races pales in comparison to the difference among geographical cultures. When is the last time you heard of a Pygmy playing professional basketball, or winning the Boston Marathon or heard of the Mongoloids being responsible for the advancement of mathematical concepts? To suggest the hiring of people based upon their race instead of their qualifications is the very definition of racism. Figure out and eliminate the cause of cultural differences instead of blaming everyone else for your shortcomings. Stop acting like there is a math gene responsible or blaming it on others and maybe those in need would have a chance of pulling themselves up by their own bootstraps.
No one knows the precise details, but there is no doubt that both culture and genetics contribute to intelligence. There may not be a math gene, but there is little doubt that there are cognitive structures which enable mathematical and logical thinking. (Most likely these structures are linked to a couple dozen different genes.) Like all structures of the body they form in accordance to genetic blueprints, so to speak. The question is what percent of intelligence is due to culture and what percent is due to genetics. More importantly, do people with better genetics for intelligence gravitate towards cultural situations which support their need to develop their intelligence? Do people with poor genetics for intelligence shun cultural and social patterns which support intelligence? I think the answer is clear and for that reason I estimate that ninety percent of intelligence is due to genetic factors and that only a ten percent shift, up or down, can be blamed on culture or educational experiences. However, there is plenty that can be done to sabotage intelligence in terms of nutrition, exposure to toxins, head injuries, oxygen deprivation, etc. Notice that most of these are physical assaults which damage physical structures. Also lack of access to education and training can slow the development of skills, but they don't have a lot of effect on raw intelligence.
Pulling up by bootstraps isn't necessary at this point in history in the USA. There are more than enough opportunities for anybody and everybody. Many choose not to take advantage of the opportunities, but most just don't have what it takes to take advantage of the opportunities. Since the 1960s our society has gone to great lengths to provide educational opportunities to everyone. If education could overcome genetics, then all differences in achievement would have been erased long ago!