Yes, indeed, and IQ is largely genetically determined (as has consistently been demonstrated empirically by controlling for environmental factors).
This means that Meiji Japan or Singapore under LKY, Taiwan and S Korea were able absorb and extend Western technology and institutions. For all its pathological aspects, the PRC has also managed to do this, perhaps most impressively of all in purely material terms.
There is the odd man out of N Korea, where the IQ is reportedly around the same as for S Korea - even under the most damaging variety of communism, a period of 75 years is not nearly enough to put a dent in the IQ figures. Notice that where it counts for the regime, this intelligence shows: N Korea is able to maintain and extend its nuclear-weapons technology by itself.
To go by fertility rates, S Korean culture has been more destructive of the family than its N Korean counterpart. According to the figures gathered in 2008, N Korea's birth rate was still able to reproduce the population. It has declined since then, but is still at about 250% of S Korea's rate (the lowest in the world). The regime has begun prosecuting doctors carrying out illicit abortions and merchants selling illicit contraceptives.
So even with an equal IQ and, in the 21st century, much stronger family life, N Korea is still held back economically by the particular brand of communism imposed by the regime (not merely by communist-party rule, as the PRC and Vietnam prove).
IQ is only part; family structure matters nearly as much. The Asians have extended family/clan structure, where responsibility for the clan supercedes individual responsibility. The Asian societies falter with technical innovation because there is little individuality and litte motivtion for an individual to put forth effort to succeed.
Simply outstanding article. I'm an older fella now, so I hate to sound like the geezer saying "When I was a kid...", but, I have never forgotten when I was a small boy visiting my grandparents- must be 50 years ago or so now- and we were going out. I was leaving the house in a clean t-shirt. "What are you wearing!" gasped my grandmother. "Absolutely not!" and in I went to find a shirt with a collar. T-shirts were for wearing under other clothes. To this day, if I'm not wearing something with a collar, I don't feel like I've finished dressing. Respect for ones self and others starts at home. I miss my grandma.
60 and can relate, lol. My mom used to say that when leaving the house in the forties, all her clothes had to be just so, everybody wore hats, and she would have felt naked going out without perfect make-up on. She can also recall her dad getting ready to go out and tend can animals on their small farm; he certainly wore shirts with collars and she remembers him milking cows while wearing a hat.
Even as a young child it was hard to fathom a society like that because it was already far gone in the rear-view mirror by the time I really started paying attention, in the late seventies/early eighties.
Visited Singapore as a sailor beginning 5 years after their independence (from Malaysia) in 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1975. The improvements were notable in that short period. My brother-in-Law, a retired Naval Officer after 31 years service, works there now. He attests to the improvements over his 40 years of observing Singapore. For Singapore, it was all the matter of a national will and LKY.
That’s very interesting to hear. I remember LKY mentioning the Vietnam War period as something of a turning point because of the resources poured into Singapore over the period
Pride (the good kind--not the bad) and self respect as well as respect for others are some traits that are necessary for us to build a positive culture and society. It is good to take pride in our personal appearance and in the appearance of our streets, sidewalks, parks, etc. It is respectful of others to keep our public spaces clean. God created the entire universe out of nothing, and He created mankind and gave us dominion over the earth and the animals. We are to be good stewards of what He has given us.
"Be the Broken Windows theory in your life. Dress well. Behave well. Live excellently. That is the First World mindset, and must be embraced just as disorder, entropy, and slovenly filth are rejected."
Extended family/clan societies fail to innovate at rates comparable to nuclear family societies. They dilute responsibility over the family/clan and inhibit individualism. Without individualism, individual responsibility, and individual motivation to innovate, technological advancement is stifled badly.
IQ is a HUGE factor. As is the nuclear family model; depart from either at your peril.
I prefer the extended family personally, but in general I agree.
Oh yes, there are a number of other things too.
I find the decay in the public space one of the more over symbols of what’s going on, however
James Q. Wilson, the Broken Window Theory. I think Uncle Jim got it right.
Yes, indeed, and IQ is largely genetically determined (as has consistently been demonstrated empirically by controlling for environmental factors).
This means that Meiji Japan or Singapore under LKY, Taiwan and S Korea were able absorb and extend Western technology and institutions. For all its pathological aspects, the PRC has also managed to do this, perhaps most impressively of all in purely material terms.
There is the odd man out of N Korea, where the IQ is reportedly around the same as for S Korea - even under the most damaging variety of communism, a period of 75 years is not nearly enough to put a dent in the IQ figures. Notice that where it counts for the regime, this intelligence shows: N Korea is able to maintain and extend its nuclear-weapons technology by itself.
To go by fertility rates, S Korean culture has been more destructive of the family than its N Korean counterpart. According to the figures gathered in 2008, N Korea's birth rate was still able to reproduce the population. It has declined since then, but is still at about 250% of S Korea's rate (the lowest in the world). The regime has begun prosecuting doctors carrying out illicit abortions and merchants selling illicit contraceptives.
So even with an equal IQ and, in the 21st century, much stronger family life, N Korea is still held back economically by the particular brand of communism imposed by the regime (not merely by communist-party rule, as the PRC and Vietnam prove).
IQ is only part; family structure matters nearly as much. The Asians have extended family/clan structure, where responsibility for the clan supercedes individual responsibility. The Asian societies falter with technical innovation because there is little individuality and litte motivtion for an individual to put forth effort to succeed.
Simply outstanding article. I'm an older fella now, so I hate to sound like the geezer saying "When I was a kid...", but, I have never forgotten when I was a small boy visiting my grandparents- must be 50 years ago or so now- and we were going out. I was leaving the house in a clean t-shirt. "What are you wearing!" gasped my grandmother. "Absolutely not!" and in I went to find a shirt with a collar. T-shirts were for wearing under other clothes. To this day, if I'm not wearing something with a collar, I don't feel like I've finished dressing. Respect for ones self and others starts at home. I miss my grandma.
My father always wore a collared shirt. He, too, considered t-shirts to be undershirts. :)
Thank you!
I’m somewhat younger, but my parents and grandparents taught me the same thing and now I never leave the house without a collar
60 and can relate, lol. My mom used to say that when leaving the house in the forties, all her clothes had to be just so, everybody wore hats, and she would have felt naked going out without perfect make-up on. She can also recall her dad getting ready to go out and tend can animals on their small farm; he certainly wore shirts with collars and she remembers him milking cows while wearing a hat.
Even as a young child it was hard to fathom a society like that because it was already far gone in the rear-view mirror by the time I really started paying attention, in the late seventies/early eighties.
Visited Singapore as a sailor beginning 5 years after their independence (from Malaysia) in 1970, 1971, 1973 and 1975. The improvements were notable in that short period. My brother-in-Law, a retired Naval Officer after 31 years service, works there now. He attests to the improvements over his 40 years of observing Singapore. For Singapore, it was all the matter of a national will and LKY.
That’s very interesting to hear. I remember LKY mentioning the Vietnam War period as something of a turning point because of the resources poured into Singapore over the period
1970 and 1971 were R&R port calls during the war. Got to see the gutters up close and personal. 1973 and 1975 was when I saw improvements.
Impressive speed to that
I visited Singapore about 25 years ago, and it is the cleanest place I have ever been.
Pride (the good kind--not the bad) and self respect as well as respect for others are some traits that are necessary for us to build a positive culture and society. It is good to take pride in our personal appearance and in the appearance of our streets, sidewalks, parks, etc. It is respectful of others to keep our public spaces clean. God created the entire universe out of nothing, and He created mankind and gave us dominion over the earth and the animals. We are to be good stewards of what He has given us.
Absolutely. Well put
This just happened in Vzla.
<1 generation
"Be the Broken Windows theory in your life. Dress well. Behave well. Live excellently. That is the First World mindset, and must be embraced just as disorder, entropy, and slovenly filth are rejected."
Inspiring, thanks for writing
Extended family/clan societies fail to innovate at rates comparable to nuclear family societies. They dilute responsibility over the family/clan and inhibit individualism. Without individualism, individual responsibility, and individual motivation to innovate, technological advancement is stifled badly.