Claiming IQ gaps are immutable functions as a self-fulfilling excuse for inaction

Evidence

Assuming that “nothing can be done” is a self-fulfilling prophecy: nothing will be done by a nation that adopts this stance. Hereditarians well understand that clinging to the notion of futility absolves them from the responsibility to act. — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 73

Categorization

• corroborated: 404 independent passages support this claim — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 73
• XREF: connects to: Adding iodine to salt closed a 15-point IQ gap cheaply — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 18; Convergent correlational evidence should justify action absent perfect scientific certainty — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 50; Testing policy alone, not genetics, determines who is labeled gifted — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 87 (+6 more)

Library Connections

• Iodizing salt in 1924 closed a 15-point IQ gap cheaply #exemplifies (0.88)
• Rapid IQ gains from reduced disease burden rule out genetic explanations #contradicts (0.85) — Harriet A. Washington, A Terrible Thing to Waste, 945
• Policies and interventions can raise a nation’s average IQ #contradicts (0.82)