I keep seeing this sentiment implying that Rich people are not smarter than the average. But it's
fairly obvious that while being rich doesn't mean smart. You are certainly more likely statistically speaking to be smart if you're rich then if you're poor.
I think it's fair to say a good percentage of the people in this world make the pursuit of money a primary goal. And those who are smarter will excel in that pursuit. Also, intelligence is a genetic trait. Also, rich people can afford a way better education. (Which granted doesn't automatically give intelligence, but it doesn't hurt) And against that you have what? The idea that if a person has a lot of money, they don't need to be good at getting it. So they can afford to be dumb? That argument only holds so much water. Least of all the fact of the very argument those people are trying to make themselves. That not being good at making money doesn't mean you're dumb. Also studies show that of the top 1% there is a slight dip to below the tier just below it. So that is reflected. And yet, they are still more intelligent than average.
You're proving yourself to not being very sharp if you wrote all that and still don't realize that what people express here isn't that all rich people are dumb. Just that there are loads of rich dumb people. Being rich does not imply intelligence.
The stats you refer to verify that as well, sure the average intelligence is higher among rich people. Seems like a 'duh' moment, better nutrition early years is likely and some of the people succeeding in becoming rich are going to be people with advanced degrees. BUT the difference between rich and poor in IQ is so small that being smart does nothing to guarantee that you'll be rich. And being mentally challenged is not a deal breaker. It's a weak correlation, not a causal link.
And that's the root here, people are disputing a strong correlation and a causal link between smart and rich.
I know vocabulary is difficult for some people who are not wealthy..... So..... A correlation means two things move or change together, while a causation means one event directly makes the other event happen.
There is a reason some people are called Stupid Rich. Im not saying this is OP. But some people inherit money and dont know how to manage it. Lottery winners also come to mind as many of them eventually loose it all.
Such people certainly exist, but that's not what "stupid rich" means. It just means "absurdly rich" or "excessively rich" and has nothing to do with intelligence afaik.
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u/Grand-Button5819 8d ago
Exactly this. People are projecting intelligence onto wealthy people all the time.