How Old are You? - Revisiting an Old PFs Thread

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Discussion Overview

The thread revisits a previous discussion on the ages of forum members, exploring personal reflections on age, wisdom, and societal expectations. Participants share their ages and express varied feelings about growing older, touching on themes of respect, maturity, and the perception of wisdom across different age groups.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express dissatisfaction with their current age, with one stating they are "15 and hating it" and looking forward to adulthood.
  • Others reflect on the societal expectations placed on younger individuals, suggesting that age does not inherently confer wisdom or intelligence.
  • A participant mentions that wisdom is more about applied knowledge than age, arguing that older individuals do not always possess greater wisdom.
  • Several members share their ages, ranging from 13 to 70, highlighting the diversity of perspectives on aging.
  • There is a sentiment that respect should be earned rather than given based solely on age, with some participants challenging the notion that wisdom comes with age.
  • One participant humorously suggests that "Ego comes with age," countering the traditional adage about wisdom.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally express a mix of agreement and disagreement regarding the relationship between age and wisdom. While some acknowledge that age can bring experience, others contest the idea that it guarantees wisdom or respect.

Contextual Notes

Participants' views on age and wisdom are influenced by personal experiences and societal norms, leading to a variety of interpretations and feelings about growing older.

  • #241
really i thought you reached your intelectual peak at 21.

at ten my IQ was 101

at 16 it was 114

im now 22 and my IQhas been 124 for the last 3 years.

so i would say that iq doesn't stabalize at ten.
 
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  • #242
Originally posted by drdeath
really i thought you reached your intelectual peak at 21.

at ten my IQ was 101

at 16 it was 114

im now 22 and my IQhas been 124 for the last 3 years.

so i would say that iq doesn't stabalize at ten.

I don't disagree that IQ might increase with age, but using your results, for example, it could also be that you are becoming more skilled at taking IQ tests.
 
  • #243
Originally posted by Zantra
Nope, not unless ur a woman or gay;) Men don't care about hair unless they are gay or from California, or both(kidding mostly, but those of you in cali know what I mean;)




I didn't say that it shouldn't change. A child's intelligence level naturally changes as it learns more. This is the "learning curve" Everyone has it. Some have a sharper curve than others. Some read at 5-7, and some read as early as 2-3. It all depends on the genetics. You keep insisting that I'm saying children don't increase in intelligence. Quite the contrary, a human being's greatest level of intellectual development is from birth to early adulthood. However beginning in early adulthood, that intellectual curve begins to fade, and though they may still continue to read, study and absorb information, the rate at which they are able to do that does not increase. So their logic, reason, and cognitive skills in effect, "Max out". They may become more learned in the knowledge they acquire, but the intellect with with they manipulate that knowledge remains level.

Read this carefully to make sure you understand where I'm coming from. I'm mostly in agreement with you.

Fine, you are saying that a child's intelligence does increase, but at a rate that is determined entirely by genes, right? I still disagree. If I get into a nasty car accident, where my brain is severly damaged, I will not progress in intellect as I might have otherwise. If I am raised in primitive surroundings, with no access to public (or otherwise) learning facilities, my intelligence will not increase as it would have, were it nurtured.
 
  • #244
Originally posted by LW Sleeth
I don't disagree that IQ might increase with age, but using your results, for example, it could also be that you are becoming more skilled at taking IQ tests.

While this makes sense (and has been mentioned many times before, on the PFs), I think it should be recognized that I.Q. tests deal with Mechanical Aptitude, Spacial Reasoning, Logic Ability, Mathematical Aptitude, etc. All things that have to do with your over-all intelligence.
 
  • #245
Originally posted by Mentat
Fine, you are saying that a child's intelligence does increase, but at a rate that is determined entirely by genes, right? I still disagree. If I get into a nasty car accident, where my brain is severly damaged, I will not progress in intellect as I might have otherwise. If I am raised in primitive surroundings, with no access to public (or otherwise) learning facilities, my intelligence will not increase as it would have, were it nurtured.

Ok now we're just splitting hairs. The sun could implode engulfing the solar system in a supernova blast, and that might hinder the curve too... hehehe But we're talking "general" circumstances.
 
  • #246
Originally posted by Zantra
Ok now we're just splitting hairs. The sun could implode engulfing the solar system in a supernova blast, and that might hinder the curve too... hehehe But we're talking "general" circumstances.

But that would mean that people in some Third-World country should eventually evolve a lower "curve" since their "normal" is very different from America's "normal".
 
  • #247
Originally posted by Mentat
While this makes sense . . .

The coveted stamp of approval . . .

Originally posted by Mentat
. . . (and has been mentioned many times before, on the PFs)

So?

Originally posted by Mentat
, I think it should be recognized that I.Q. tests deal with Mechanical Aptitude, Spacial Reasoning, Logic Ability, Mathematical Aptitude, etc. All things that have to do with your over-all intelligence.

[?] . . . and that means one can't learn to take the test better?
 
  • #248
What comes with being 17, just about nothing - except rated R movies.
 
  • #249
Originally posted by Matt
What comes with being 17, just about nothing - except rated R movies.

See . . . already you are understanding the potential of seeing the glass half full.

At 16 - drivers license; at 17 - R-rated moves; at 18 - can go to war and kick butt; at 21, can vote and drink beer (legally). Then . . . at 55, can join the seniors organization (which I can't remember the name of because I am too senile).

And me, what do I have to look forward to? Knowing what to choose for the art of appreciation, and making few mistakes in that regard.
 
  • #250
ok sleuth i can see your point slightly, i could just be getting better at doing the tests. but i also see mentats point that iq tests cover overall intelligence not just learning apptitude.

over here its 16=legal sex (gay and straight), and war. 17= drivers license 18= x-rated movies, and drink alcohol legally. 60= pension, discount travel and salvation army (oldies club).
 
  • #251
Originally posted by Mentat
And few older ones have such an inquisitive mind, Majin.

This is an important point as well. You see, I said that age affords one more opportunities to learn; however, while this is still true, there some younger people (like MajinVegeta) who have such a zeal for learning, that they can easily make up for their lack of "experience".
My younger brother is 13 and he wouldn't pick up a book if his life depended on it. I'm sure he'd rather die than learn about the world he lives in. I'm 18, myself, just graduated from high school. Being on this forum makes me wish I was even younger. There's no way I'll ever understand all there is to understand in my lifetime. It's rather discouraging.
 
  • #252
Originally posted by StephenPrivitera
My younger brother is 13 and he wouldn't pick up a book if his life depended on it. I'm sure he'd rather die than learn about the world he lives in. I'm 18, myself, just graduated from high school. Being on this forum makes me wish I was even younger. There's no way I'll ever understand all there is to understand in my lifetime. It's rather discouraging.

Unfortunately no one has all the answers. All we can do is strive to find all the answers that we can.
 
  • #253
im 22, I've done school, and college, got great grades in a range of subjects, now I am studying for an MBA (masters of business administration) degree in business admin and managment. i read textbooks on subjects ranging from psychology and philosophy to medicine etc, but i still know very litle of everything there is to know. IQtests you skills and learning apptitude, it doesn't tell you how much you know.
 
  • #254
Originally posted by sir-pinski
24 and not particularly bothered by it. Life is far too short to be worried about how old you are - it's better to just live I think. Besides hopefully nano-tech and advanced genetic engineering will come along soon and help us all out :)

Yeah . I'm 24.
 

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