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[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT gmail.com>]

rayzentz AT aim.com wrote:
>  You know, this does bring up something of interest, at least to me. I
>  took a full fledged IQ test some 20 years ago... scored a 154... , as
>  part of one of my psychology classes. I was in my last year of
>  undergrad, brain being exercised daily in mathematics, arts,
>  language, music, etc. I suspect that I would not score that high
>  today.
>
>  I do perform well on these little online IQ tests, but I don't put a
>  whole lot of credence in those. So, where and when do our IQ's peak,
>  and how much do we lose just through routine of daily living?
>
>  Thoughts?
>
>  Ray
I think there is more than a little difference between an intelligence 
quotient and intelligence.   There are people outside of the curve who 
can't accurately be quantified by numbers, like the autistic or the 
paranoid schizophrenic...the Rainmans and Russell Nashes of the world.  
As for when one peaks, well I'd guess mid life, when you have enough 
life experience to see connections between things, enough power to make 
intelligent choices, and before you become physically impaired from 
either your environment or your own poor habits and diseases.   I don't 
remember it, but I probably took an IQ test somewhere around the 5th 
grade because after that I was put in what would today be called a 
'gifted' class.  I remember taking several in high school, with results 
ranging from 112 to 138.  I took several in college, and one a few years 
after.  Like any other test, so much can depend on things like whether 
or not you are PMSing or had a fight with your sister or boyfriend or 
simply have a headache.  I seriously doubt I'd score much better than 
average today.  I can tell you this, I was in a coma for several days 
when I was 21.   I coded and was revived twice.  Mentally, I just never 
regained what I had before, but I know that my IQ actually went up.  I 
suppose that is why I have so little faith in the numbers game.  Now, at 
middle age, I honestly feel like I am getting Alzheimer's because I see 
my recall slipping.  I will know that I knew it at some point, but can't 
recall it.  Additionally, I'm apparently not recording information in 
the same way as I once did.  On the other hand, some days, like today, 
everything seems so clear to me, and all the pieces of life-arts, 
science, love, pain, fit together in meaningful ways.  What is really 
odd is that I've noticed more decline since I quit smoking.  Perhaps it 
is just the coincidence of age progression, perhaps it is the lack of 
the stimulation of nicotine, or perhaps it is just my brain cells 
adjusting to the lack of serotonin or something.  Have any other former 
smokers noticed a lack of clarity when they quit, even two years on?  
Now that I am working in a brain drain field,  I am getting more mental 
exercise, and what I notice could be just brain soreness from that 
exercise<g>...maybe.

B

--
"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will 
not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius 
will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the 
world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone 
are omnipotent. The slogan 'press on' has solved and always will solve 
the problems of the human race"

~ Calvin Coolidge