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Agreed.
America provides a lot of opportunity. People that work hard of average intelligence (such as myself) can build wealth.
Average also doesn't mean everyone. A lot of smart people came over to the US because of the opportunity, so we have quite a few intelligent people.
IQ doesn't mean nothing. It is flawed because it depends on the person's experience in taking tests to some extent, but it measures the abilities to solve new problems. It doesn't test previous knowledge.
But that said, these statistics are very questionable, but based off other reports I've seen, they are believable ...except perhaps North Korea, I'd think environment would have a bigger influence than that.
canadageek
Senior member
not only that, but a single IQ test cannot be used for the entire world. this is simply because people use different methods to arrive at the same conclusion
NikPreviousAcct
No Lifer
I highly doubt some guy's taken an IQ test to the nomads in the congo and other nowhere-countries, but even if this test is true, I can see why we're only at 98 ^^^
lobadobadingdong
Lifer
No way are Americans that smart on average. If we were, mcdonalds wouldn't still exist.
America is not what I would call a "Free nation," although the concept is freedom is and has been in our culture.
America ranks something like 20th in terms of economic freedom. Hong Kong was ranked as being the freest country.
Americans just have an attitude which helps them aquire wealth. That is why we thrive.
I disagree with that last line.
I remember reading "The millionaire Next Door" and it said that 1st generation immigrants were much more likely to become millionaires than their children because their culutural frugality was still intact.
Most born Americans these days have a strong sense of entitlement. They just have to have a new car every few years, and a larger house than they can afford, and exotic vacations.
Other culutures will share houses and kids won't move out until they're married, for example.
That's because those people from other countries move to America because they have our sort of attitude. They come here to maximize the opportunity.
But I would disagree with that statistic which says first generation immigrants are more likely to become millionaires. European immigrants yes, but the vast majority of immigrants that come to the United States are uneducated and remain poor their entire lives, mostly Latin American immigrants.
mercanucaribe
Banned
There are a couple problems with this. It's impossible to design an unbiased IQ test that will have varying results just due to different cultures and such. Not that the tests ask questions about golf at the country club with your KKK buddies.
I'm not saying there aren't intelligence differences though. But I would blame it on nutrition and education rather than genetics. Studies have shown that vitamin supplements increase kids' IQs a few points, and music and art education also increase IQ. Think about what it's like being a child living in Africa. You probably live on a limited diet of corn and maybe beans, and your education is severely limited.
I'm not saying there aren't intelligence differences though. But I would blame it on nutrition and education rather than genetics. Studies have shown that vitamin supplements increase kids' IQs a few points, and music and art education also increase IQ. Think about what it's like being a child living in Africa. You probably live on a limited diet of corn and maybe beans, and your education is severely limited.
mercanucaribe
Banned
Here's what it comes down to: Billionaire in US = tax breaks. Billionaire in Europe or Asia = tax.
Most of the billionaires in Europe and Asia have it TEN TIMES better than the billionaires in America do.
Why?
America is only one of two countries in the entire world which taxes based on citizenship and not residence. Meaning, if you're an American citizen, and you live in say, Monaco, where there are no taxes, you still have to pay US taxes. In EVERY OTHER COUNTRY IN THE ENTIRE WORLD, except terrorist Libia, you wouldn't have to pay any taxes if you can prove you have severed ties with your original country.
In the UK, you can hold foreign bank accounts and not pay a dime on them. Meaning, a UK billionaire, can take his billions, stash it in a Caribbean bank account in a tax free island nation, and not pay a dime in taxes, even if they continue to live in the UK. No one can do this in the US. If you try, the most all tax free nations will give up your personal information to the US and charge you with tax evasion.
Fact: About 35% of all the stock of US corporations are held in Caribbean bank accounts by foreigners.
American billionaires and anyone with a dime in their pocket have it rough. Laugh all you want at that statement, but it's true. The US government is out to punish anyone who's not on food stamps.
alkemyst
No Lifer
Well considering that many of the other 'billionaires' don't report their incomes, or their incomes are dubbed 'non-comparable' I wouldn't assume the US.
You do realize the top of Forbes 100 richest individuals are worth much less than the worlds richest people that some of have actually threatened sueing and beyond to Forbes if published.
Also what IQ scale is this measured on? numbers seem low.
You're very wrong. I think you have Forbes confused with Fortune.
I say that because Fortune highballs their 40 under 40 net worth estimates.
While Forbes in general, lowballs worth estimates. Ask Donald Trump. Every single year he's been on the list, he's complained he's worth more than Forbes estimates.
Also, most of the people on the list, like Bill Gates, hold their wealth in publically traded stock, so their networth can be calculated very accurately.
Since Forbes only has access to a portion of the information to determine net worth, I would say most billionares are worth MORE than what is listed in Forbes.
The billionaries suing Forbes, are only doing so to have their names removed because of privacy concerns. A bunch of them sued in the late 1980s in a big public case and lost. The judge found the public has a right to know this information.
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