Aspie vs. NT career prospects

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Which of the following, on average, do you figure has better career prospects and earning potential over his/her life?

A) an aspie with an IQ of 150, or

B) an NT with an IQ of 90?

Well given that Koko the sign language gorilla scored a very credible 91, then I would say it's more likely our Aspie brother or sister with 150 that has better carreer options,although I would need more data on the level of functionality to make a difinitive answer to your question

unless they're naturally athletic (in the professional sense), my money's on the higher IQ...

But in a world of people, it also helps to be able to groove with other people to get ahead, right?

I'd say they probably would end up making relatively the same.

Interesting info, Chris. I did not know that, thanks.

After reading your comment however, I looked up some info on it. It has been claimed several times that Koko's IQ was measured to be between 75 and 95, however no details are ever mentioned about the testing methodology. Also the "scientist" who doubles as Koko's handler and instructor has a tendency towards not publishing enough of her work and data before she starts talking about it and making claims in public.

http://www.koko.org/world/

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3548246.stm

Education degrees, certifications, credentials, and job experience correlate higher to career prospects and earning potential over time.

So if both only have high school degrees, no certifications, no credentials of any kind, and no job experience, then both are expected to have the same career prospects and earning potential.

If you really want to understand your question, change it to who is more likely to attain a higher degree, and have some evidence of competence in some profession (such as through volunteer work and other informal stuff)? And compare entry level jobs and salaries first, and final career and ultimate income potential separately. These will give you better and more scientific answers. If you want a quick informal survey then post a poll here asking aspies about the highest degree they have obtained, or are currently working on.

You can also try an additional poll asking aspies if they have any evidence or credentials (informal or otherwise) that they can use as evidence of their skill for a possible future or current profession.

If you decide to do either of these polls, then send me an PM as I might like to see them.


Now, I should stress one major caveat. "Correlation does not necessitate causation". That is the ever-popular statement about the common fallacy of using the relation between different sets of data as evidence that one caused the other. For example, Forbes current #2/#1 (after recession/before recession) is the most famous college drop out, Bill Gates.

Oh, and then there is my own example of dropping out of high school, getting my GED, and going straight to college. Now I have a BS and MS in physics, and am a PhD candidate in physics, but I am still considered a high school drop out, heh.

Sometimes its not what you know, it's who you know, if a guy that can't tie his own shoes knows the boss, he's gonna get the job.

Higher IQ SHOULD have more options, unfortunately only a rational person would hire the one with more potential (that rules out most NTs as they usually think with either pleasure or fear as their main inspiration)

I'm not really looking for anything all that scientific. (All the variables involved would be nearly impossible to put together.) I'm just looking for opinions on the subject based on life experiences and gut feeling.

There was an article a few years ago that the most successful people had IQs on the high side of normal, from about 105 to 120, peaking around 115. These people were smart enough to manage well, but not too smart to be considered odd and out of touch with people.

In the case of the 90 vs 150 (both off the ideal), I would give it to the 150. The 90 may get some success and get a solid job to support a family, but it will be hard work. However, he will have less expectations and get jaded less easily, as the 150IQ will figure out how unfair and f***ed up things really are.

So all that mother taught us about the smart kids who do well in school coming out on top in the world was a lie?

Good looks are a better indicator of success than IQ... charisma really helps too.

Are you sure about that?

Most of the top politicians and CEO's aren't exactly lookers.

The Aspie. 4 standard deviations in IQ is simply too much to be overcome by social skills. Of course, the Aspie in question is not likely to end up in management, so no CEO jobs there. They'd have to go into some technical field.

They mostly have all their hair, they tend to be well presented, and even if they are old, they're generally regular featured and "normal" looking.

Don't know about the hair bit, but I wonder if their (relative) good looks is more the result of their "Do it" attitude (ie. good fitness, hygiene, grooming, etc.).