969 - IQ and RQ

IQ and RQ, which is better? Both. George Bush had high IQ but low RQ. Obama has both high IQ and RQ. (RQ - rationality quotient) Here's a few bits from the WHOLE NEWSCIENTIST article. The article doesn't take that long to read but there are a lot of links.

'IQ is only part of what it means to be smart.'

Think of our minds as searchlights. IQ measures the brightness of the searchlight, but where we point it also matters.

'those who displayed better rational-thinking skills suffered significantly fewer negative events in their lives'

"But I would very seriously consider RQ tests as a way of selecting managers or leaders, particularly if I wanted a style of leadership that is thorough and not overly impulsive."


On the following test I knew the first two obvious answers were wrong but it took me a few minutes to figure out why. The third one was obvious because I've seen variations of it on many other tests.

Test your thinking
When researchers put the following three problems to 3400 students in the US, only 17 per cent got all three right. Can you do any better?

1) A bat and a ball cost $1.10 in total. The bat costs $1 more than the ball. How much does the ball cost?

2) If it takes five machines 5 minutes to make five widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets?

3) In a lake, there is a patch of lily pads. Every day, the patch doubles in size. If it takes 48 days for the patch to cover the entire lake, how long would it take for the patch to cover half of it?

[For answers, go to end of post]


Some advice to up your RQ.

How to avoid making foolish decisions
It's easy for your mind to lead you up the garden path when it comes to making a good decision. Below are ways to avoid the common pitfalls.

CLEAR YOUR MIND
Judgements can often be based on a piece of information you have recently had in mind, even if it is irrelevant. For example, bidding high at an auction after pondering the height of the tallest person in the room.

DON'T FALL FOUL OF SPIN
We have an inclination to be strongly influenced by the way a problem is framed. For instance, people are more likely to spend a monetary award immediately if they are told it is a bonus, compared with a rebate.

DON'T LET EMOTIONS GET IN THE WAY
They often interfere with our assessment of risk. One example is our natural reluctance to cut our losses on a falling investment because it might start rising again.

BE FACT BASED
Don't allow your beliefs and opinions to cloud your analysis.

THINK CAREFULLY ABOUT THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES
When considering how a course of action will make you feel, talk to someone who has been through a similar situation rather than try to imagine your future state of mind; run mental movies about how an option might play out.

LOOK BEYOND THE OBVIOUS SOLUTION
Don't accept the first thing that pops into your head.


Answers: 1) 5 cents, 2) 5 minutes, 3) 47 days

I think I'm going to leave this post here a few days so it at least picks up the Monday crowd.

968 - Compassion & Forgiveness

Compassion & Forgiveness (the conservative way)

Email joke from a con friend. This actually is kind of funny.

*************************

You might recall that John Hinckley was a seriously deranged young man who shot President Reagan in the early 1980's. Hinckley was absolutely obsessed with movie star Jodie Foster. He was extremely jealous, and in his twisted mind, loved Jodie Foster to the point that, to make himself well known to her, he attempted to assassinate President Reagan.

There is speculation Hinckley may soon be released as having been rehabilitated. Consequently, you may appreciate the following letter from Nancy Reagan to John Hinckley:

To: John Hinckley
From: Mrs. Nancy Reagan

My family and I wanted to drop you a short note to tell you how pleased we are with the great strides you are making in your recovery. In our fine country's spirit of understanding and forgiveness, we want you to know there is a nonpartisan consensus of compassion and forgiveness throughout.

The Reagan family and I want you to know that no grudge is borne against you for shooting President Reagan. We, above all, are aware of how mental stress and pain could have driven you to such an act of desperation. We are confident that you will soon make a complete recovery and return to your family to join the world again as a healthy and productive young man.

Best wishes,

Nancy Reagan & Family

P.S. While you have been incarcerated, Barack Obama has been banging Jodie Foster like a screen door in a tornado. You might want to look into that.

 

967 - Crash

This alcohol smashing video has been popping up around the net. But I found a version with a TV anchor woman that sounds like she might have been drinking too.



 

966 - Impregnation

Well I found a new job. Saving the human race. An article in Time says that because older men are having fewer children there is less genetic diversity happening. This could be a bad thing for humans. So I'll suck it up and try my best to impregnate as many young women as I can. It's the least I can do.

TIME ARTICLE

 

965 - Toons

I thought about Bilbo for two reasons when I saw this. A busted computer and a mail box.

Of course I can find the power switch. I just wired it up. Just don't ask me where it is a month from now.

It's not the internet, it's the chair. Chairs are evil.