[LINK] Identity theft virus infects 10,000 computers

[Eleanor Lister]

Craig Sanders wrote:
> On Thu, Aug 17, 2006 at 06:37:23PM +1000, Karl Auer wrote:
>   
>> On Thu, 2006-08-17 at 18:11 +1000, Craig Sanders wrote:
>>     
>>> for instance, the scary thing about an average IQ of 100 is that it
>>> means that approximately 50% have an IQ of *LESS* than 100. that's
>>> seriously disturbing when you think about it.
>>>       
>> No, it's nt even slightly disturbing. It means that half the population
>> is less intelligent than average; the other half is more intelligent
>> than averae. That's what "average" means...
>>     
>
> what's seriously disturbing about it is that about half the population
> is actually quite stupid.  THAT is what is scary.  an IQ of 100 isnt
> particularly bright, and 80 is classified as moron
now calm down, fellas, and take a few deep breaths ....

IQ is not linear, it follows the standard distribution bell-curve, so 
the vast majority of people lie in the range 95-105, and there's not 
much difference between them.

80 is very rare, and the smart people here are rare too.

in fact, the error distribution becomes so large that over 130 the 
numbers become meaningless, and popular press claims that so-and-so had 
an IQ of 180 is utter piffle.

so the software you complain about is targeted at the 95-105 group, and 
we must realise that the software we prefer does require intelligence, 
and will never be accepted by the majority until it appears to be as 
simple as the apparently simple, hold-my-hand-and-trust-me rubbish we 
deplore.

regards,
    EL

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Eleanor Ashley Lister
South Sydney Greens
http://ssg.nsw.greens.org.au
secretary at ssg.nsw.greens.org.au