I know this is a joke and all, but just to clarify, I was implying a social advantage, not an hereditary one.
The assumption that “intelligence” (or in this case, ability for academic endeavour) is determined more by birth than by environment is not one I believe in, or am comfortable with, and is not what my initial comment suggested.
However, I do believe intelligence is molded by both DNA and the environment, they work hand in hand. The expression of DNA is impacted by our environment via eppigenetics. Our brains are built and developed by neurons turning DNA into proteins that become ligand gated ion channels and ligand gated GPCR receptors driving the electrical signals of neurotransmission and plasticity.
I know this is a joke and all, but just to clarify, I was implying a social advantage, not an hereditary one.
The assumption that “intelligence” (or in this case, ability for academic endeavour) is determined more by birth than by environment is not one I believe in, or am comfortable with, and is not what my initial comment suggested.
Yes it was a joke.
However, I do believe intelligence is molded by both DNA and the environment, they work hand in hand. The expression of DNA is impacted by our environment via eppigenetics. Our brains are built and developed by neurons turning DNA into proteins that become ligand gated ion channels and ligand gated GPCR receptors driving the electrical signals of neurotransmission and plasticity.
I’m not denying that at all, just arguing social determinism is a much stronger factor on whether you’ll get a Nobel Prize.