If genetics determines us so much, why self-help?

[Natasha Tori Maru]

@StaraX If effort isn't a guarantee, what is its actual causal contribution?

[Leo Gura]

2 hours ago, StaraX said:

So, in other words, all the so-called “wisdom” about mindset, thinking patterns, inner game, etc. means very little.  

That does not follow.

But mindset cannot overcome a serious health problem.

[Lucasxp64]

15 minutes ago, Natasha Tori Maru said:

@StaraX If effort isn't a guarantee, what is its actual causal contribution?

He has abandoned causal relationships to lean into genetic fatalism. He might have just chosen that there is an evil demon haunting him and it would have been the same.

He thinks that financial market and academic results are a perfect 1:1 correlation with some unknown every-present variable: i.e. a demon, genetics, etc.

Due to those things being so complex, and by taking a bell curve shape of human genetic variation, I'd bet that genetics are not his major limiting factor with regards to the comparisons he just made.

Even the difference between his results and of the comparisons he made might be much smaller than what he thinks, but he's too close to see it.

He is looking at genetic determinism as being binary, as it being 100% of the equation.

Edited 1 hour ago by Lucasxp64

[Natasha Tori Maru]

@Lucasxp64 Reality is usually more complex and nuanced than it seems. A simple explanation feels so lovely and neat. Very appealing. But usually to access that simplicity we need to compress and fill the gaps with "belief".

[StaraX]

51 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

That does not follow.

But mindset cannot overcome a serious health problem.

@Leo Gura Health is only one area (although probably the most crucial one). I am talking about everything. If a tortoise wants to beat a rabbit in a race, no amount of improvements in inner game, confidence, or mindset will help him.

There are professors like Jordan Peterson who have empirical evidence showing the relationship between IQ scores and the ability to perform tasks, as well as the relationship between IQ and success in high school and college. And also how having an average or below-average IQ limits you and how you can do nothing about it. Jordan Peterson has empirically proved this. As a matter of fact, I've discovered that the self-esteem of many people in my social circle and at my workplace has been almost destroyed because of those statements.

If someone's dream is to become a computer scientist with a slightly below-average IQ, which is closer to the truth: Peterson's empirical research or your 2015 video called "How To Study - The Keys To Acing School And College"? I still remember watching that episode more than 10 times when I was 16, lol.

I know it's difficult to relate when this stuff was relatively easy for you.