A new study reveals that 89% of Americans believe that they posses just as much intelligence, if not more intelligence than their peers. In other words, 89% of society believes they are smarter then everyone else in society. This is of course amusing because statistically 49% of everyone must have below average intelligence.
The reasoning behind the phenomenon in this study is apparent, hubris . In 2000 there was a paper published called "Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognizing One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments" . This won a Nobel prize. I recommend reading this. To sum it up: "People tend to hold overly favorable views of their abilities in many social and intellectual domains". The authors suggest that this overestimation occurs, in part, "because people who are unskilled in these domains suffer a dual burden: Not only do these people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices, but their incompetence robs them of the cognitive ability to realize it."
Primus inter pares : first among equals. The comfort of our modern times has given people the hubris of self entitlement. The idea we alone as an individual knows what is best. That if everyone 'just thought like me, the world would be a perfect place'. The vote of the most liberal democrat in society counts equally with the most conservative republican in society. The vote of the homeless man on the street counts equally to the the man in the convertible BMW driving past him.This knowledge should humble us all. We live in perhaps the most comfortable period of time in the history of the world. We have the ability to do great things. The only thing which stands in societies way is our own hubris'. Never be too arrogant to believe you are beyond learning something new or assume that you alone know whats best. Work together, it is not too late to help change the world. This starts when people stop believing they are better than and or above everyone else.
Stupidest State Showdown 2012 - Part 1 (Arizona Vs. South Carolina) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5UIXtmiJcc
The 10 Smartest and Dumbest States in America
The 10 Dumbest States in America Tony Owusu Follow
07/25/14 - 01:04 PM EDT
Updated from 5/29/2014 to include the average IQ of each state based on IQ and the Wealth of Nations 2013 list.
NEW YORK ( TheStreet ) -- When writing an article ranking the "smartest" and "dumbest" states in the Union it is important to explain your methodology. This list is based on the level of education a certain percentage of the residents of each state achieves.
According to information compiled by the website infoplease.com , as of 2010 men with a BA make 60% more than their counterparts with a high school diploma -- $40,000 to $64,000 -- while women with BA's make 56.6% more than their counterparts with a lower level of education -- $30,000 to $47,000.
And the gulf is widening. Twenty years ago male college graduates only made 47.5% more than high school grads while female BA holders made 53% more. Over the lifetime of their careers, non-degree holders can expect to make 75% less than degree holders who can expect to make at least $2.7 million, according to a Census Bureau report.
For this reason there is some correlation between states with higher percentages of people with Bachelor's and advanced degrees also having fewer people living below the poverty line.
One would think that states with more colleges and universities per capita might do better on this list but that is not necessarily the case. Vermont -- number 8 on the smartest list -- has the most schools per capita with one university per 36,545.3 residents, while New Jersey -- number 6 on the smartest list -- has the second lowest number of schools per capita with one university per 526,764.8 residents.
Average SAT scores also do not accurately reflect the level of education as certain states with higher average SAT scores have a smaller percentage of students taking the test. North Dakotan students for example had an average SAT score of 1799 in 2013, good for second in the country. However, the state only had a 2% participation rate.
Intuitively states offering better jobs will attract better educated residents. The correlation between states offering better opportunities and the number of college graduates residing there is strong. Maryland -- number 3 on the smartest list -- leads the nation in median household income at $70,004 while Mississippi and West Virginia -- numbers three and one respectively on the dumbest list -- are at the bottom of the median household income list.
Here is a list of the 10 "smartest" and "dumbest" states based on percentage of the population with Bachelor's degrees...
10th Smartest: Minnesota
% of Population With Bachelor's Degrees or Higher: 33.5%
Median Household Income (2013): $60,702 (9th)
Average SAT Score (2013): 1780
Average IQ and Ranking: 103.7 (5th)
The land of 10,000 lakes is home to 31 of the top 1000 publicly traded companies in the country including Target ( TGT ) , SuperValu ( SVU ) and Best Buy ( BBY ) . The world famous Mayo Clinic is also located in the Minnesota and employs 30,000 people in the state. As of 2006, more than 90% of seniors in the Minnesota public school system graduated, while the state led the country with the highest average ACT score in 2007.
THE WEIRDEST LAW IN EVERY STATE IN AMERICA Although it's fun to think that some congressman pushed a law banning donkeys from bathtubs, most "weird laws" you find online are complete fantasy. But there is certainly an odd collection of US legislation still on the books, so we decided to wade through the fake ones in order to break down each state's weirdest law. While some of them showcase what 'Murica is all about (free roadkill!), others are borderline fascist (what do you mean we can't play with exploding golf balls?). Brush up on the legalese below, and make sure you leave your bulletproof vest behind on your next journey to New Jersey to murder someone.
AlabamaThe state constitution makes it illegal for any "idiots" or insane people to vote. Bad news for your buddy Pat, who's been itching to mount a write-in campaign for "Bonerz" for state senate.
AlaskaClearly Alaska used to throw some wild parties in the woods, because the state now has a law on the books that bars you from giving a moose a beer. Giving a mouse a cookie remains fair game.
ArizonaEven though they'd love it, you can't feed pigs garbage unless you have a special permit in AZ. One that needs to be renewed each January, so really think hard about how much you want to give that hog your newspaper.
ArkansasMispronouncing the state name is strictly forbidden, so just leave your grandma and her fancy 'Ar-can-zuss'es at home next time.
CaliforniaLooking to put on a " frog-jumping contest "? Of course you are. But if any of the frogs die, you cannot eat them. So much for fresh frog legs.
ColoradoSince a horse is technically a vehicle, you're not allowed to enjoy a Dale's Pale Ale on horseback. Or any booze, for that matter.
ConnecticutFor a pickle to legally be called a pickle, it must bounce, proving Connecticut residents are also devotees of the five-second rule.
DelawareIf next week's game of truth or dare in Johnny's parents' basement gets too real, don't worry: getting married because of "jest or dare" is grounds for annulment.
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