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Abstract
The Two Sigma Conjecture explains the cause of difficulties in communication a
party faces when that party encounters another party with vastly different mental
capacities.
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my gratitude towards people who are beyond my 2 range for
their inspiration. I would never be able to produce this work without their presence
in my life.
I am also immensely grateful to Reuben Tan, Khoh Yek How, Joyce, Pan Yue,
Shi Zhan, and Zhang Sheng Alex for their comments on an earlier version of the
manuscript although any errors are my own and should not tarnish the reputation
of these esteemed figures.
I would like to express my special thanks to my mentor Ms Huo Yasi, for her kindness
and professionalism.
Cui Zizai
September 18, 2016
in Singapore
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Contents
1 Introduction
2 Definitions
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12
4.1
4.2
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Social Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4.3
IQ-Advertisement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4.4
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4.5
Political Stance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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5 Conclusion
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References
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Introduction
Definitions
All conventional tests for IQ(Intelligence Quotient) only give out its magnitude, and
the results are computed as follows. The median raw score is defined as IQ 100 and
scores each standard deviation(SD) up or down are defined as 15 IQ points greater or
less. By this definition, approximately two-thirds of the population scores between
IQ of 85 and IQ of 115. About 5 percent of the population scores above 125, and 5
percent below 75.
Definition 2.1. Raw scores of these tests are converted into IQ values which follows
the normal distribution of = 15 and = 100.
However, merely one parameter is not enough to measure the subtle differences
amongst individuals. For example, despite having the same IQ of 100, one may
be better at interpersonal relationship management while the other may be better
at logical thinking. According to Armstrong (n.d.), Gardner (2000) and Gardner
(1993b), human intelligences are categorised into the following eight parts, where no
strong correlations exist between each other:
1. Linguistic intelligence (word smart)
2. Logical-mathematical intelligence (number/reasoning smart)
3. Spatial intelligence (picture smart)
4. Bodily-Kinesthetic intelligence (body smart)
5. Musical intelligence (music smart)
despite being a reliable indicator of a persons future success, has little correlation
with the persons productivity and intellectual achievement.)
Hence, generally speaking, IQ shall be defined as a multivariable function or a vector
function. It is thus redefined in the following manner:
Definition 2.2.
IQ =
x1
x
2
.
..
xn
Definition 2.4. A and B are two distinct persons. The distance between the IQ
values of A and B, is
f (A, B) =
IQA
-
IQB
, which is calculated by taking the difference between the
two values.
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Definition 2.5. The distantness between the IQ values of A and B, is g(A, B) =
IQA IQB
. This then could be easily calculated by applying the Pythagorean Theorem in n-dimensional space.
A new way to measure and compare the effectivenesses of different means of communication is then formulated, with the introduction of the concept of substantial
communication.
Definition 2.6. Substantial communication is defined as the exchange of ideas between two parties where no compromising of the depth and width of content is required
for the ideas spoken to be fully understood. This condition needs to be satisfied in
all fields of knowledge for communication to be truly substantial. Using a means of
communication y, should substantial communication be able to take place between
A and B, the Indication function U (A, B, y) has the value of True. Otherwise
U (A, B, x)=False.
For any means of communication y, its communicative power is then measured using
the communicative power function F, where F (y) is the maximum value of g(A, B)
between any pairings of different parties for which truly substantial communication
between A and B could possibly take place. The word possibly assumes the perfect
mastery of this means of communication.Namely, among all pairs of Ai and Bj where
U (Ai , Bj , y) = T rue
(1)
max g(Ai , Bj )
(2)
for
F (y) =
As defined above, is the standard deviation of IQ of the entire human species,
which traditionally has been given the value of 15.
An important point to note here is that, the complexity of the ideas exchanged should
be of the highest level comprehensible for either one of the two. Understandably, ideas
of such obscurity may be perfectly beyond the mental capacity of the other party,
and this shall be classified under the case of U (A, B, x)=False.
Another aspect of this statement that is worthy of our attention is the emphasis
on the word comprehensible. There are certain feelings so subtle such that they are
in no way totally comprehensible or tangible to human souls. While this includes
an important part of our life (for example, the beauty), it is beyond the scope of
this discussion. Such feelings are hints of beauty and serenity greater than we have
known or imagined. Greater too than we can describe, for language, which was
invented to convey the meanings of this world, cannot readily be fitted to the uses of
another.
It is possible, however, to quantitatively compare the communicative power of different means of communication, including nodding, shaking hands, online chatting,
verbal communication, and the like. It is also possible to compare the degrees of
sophistication and perfection of different languages, from C++ to Latin.
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Under such definitions, the Two Sigma Conjecture could be stated in the following
manner.
Conjecture 3.1. The maximum possible communicative power of any means of communication is 2. In other words, no parties with a g value (the distantness between
F (y) 2
(3)
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A great variety of factors contribute to the formation of the Two Sigma Conjecture.
4.1
One obvious cause for this phenomenon is the difference in comprehension and reasoning abilities. Biologically, such difference is caused by the different neural wirings.
It is found that peoples performance in IQ tests and processing speeds of brains are
strongly correlated to the amount of white wiring, the ones with higher IQ more capable of processing certain obscure ideas (Shaw, 2007). It is therefore impossible for
people below certain IQ to understand obscure concepts, no matter how clearly they
are explained, due to the lack of mental capacities. Such communication barriers (or
better termed as communication impossibilities) lead to the formation of the Two
Sigma Phenomenon.
What worsens the problem is that those with ultra-high IQ often underestimate their
relative competency, as a result of Dunning-Kruger Effect (Kruger, 1999). They may
unintentionally skip necessary details that are necessary for comprehension. To them
these are just obvious or axiomatic.
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4.2
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4.3
IQ-Advertisement
According to Ceci (Oct 1997) , the higher the IQ of a person, the higher earnings he
or she will achieve. IQ as an reliable indicator of ones earning power and worthiness,
reflects the persons current and potential social status.
Whenever something is linked to social status, the person who possesses it is incentivised to advertise it so as to prove their status. Such phenomena has long
been observed in the rich (therefore high social status), where they tend to undergo
competitive altruism for the costly signalling of status.
Similarly, ultra-high-IQ individuals are incentivised to signal their IQ. One popular
way of doing it is to adopt the novel, non-common sense solutions in social contexts.
The lack of common sense calls for feedbacks from the audience, which are subsequently interpreted as external recognition over their intelligence and social status.
This then works as a self-enforcing mechanism that makes the ultra-high-IQ people
stick to their lack of common sense solutions.
Besides, They often use technical terms to prove their intelligence, and this kills
conversations.
4.4
Such thinking systems (overriding of common sense with abstract analytical abilities due to habits and IQ-advertisement mechanism) inevitably lead to changes in
personality. According to Ackerman and Heggestad (1997), ultra-high-IQ people,
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therefore, typically exhibit greater openness to experience and changes, and they
are more neophilic, i.e.: novelty-seeking. Novel here means different from social
norms.
However, this does not mean that they are open-minded, as such effects could be
easily offset by the fact that they may unintentionally ignore the opinions of the
not-so-intelligent, assuming that those people cannot give pragmatic and relevant
perspectives. This sense of superiority works backwards for them and offsets the
effect of being open-minded.
4.5
Political Stance
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Conclusion
Higher IQ means intelligence, but does not necessarily mean wisdom. For ultra-highIQ people, what is more important is the ability to strike a balance between their use
of analytical skills and common sense. Not only would this lead to more favourable
outcomes, but it would also turn out to be more energy-saving.
Todays education system and society stratify people according to their IQ. This,
in the short term, effectively minimises the misunderstandings between people. The
long term biological impacts of such stratification still awaits examination.
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References
Ackerman, P. L., & Heggestad, E. D. (1997). Intelligence, personality, and interests:
Evidence for overlapping traits. Psychological Bulletin, 1 (121), 219-245.
Armstrong, D. T. (n.d.). Multiple intelligence. http://www.institute4learning
.com/multiple_intelligences.php.
Ceci, W. M., Stephen J.; Williams. (Oct 1997). Schooling, intelligence, and income.
American Psychologist, 52 (10), 1051-1058.
Charlton. (2009). Clever sillies: Why high-iq people tend to be deficient in common
sense. Medical Hypotheses(73), 867-870.
Gardner, H. (1993a). Frames of mind:the theory of multiple intelligences. New York:
Basic.
Gardner, H. (1993b). Multiple intelligences:the theory in practice. New York: Basic.
Gardner, H. (2000). Intelligence reframed: Multiple intelligences for the 21st century.
New York: Basic.
Goldberg, L. R. (1993). The structure of phenotypic personality traits: Authors
reactions to the six comments. American Psychologist, 48 .
Kruger, D., Justin; Dunning. (1999). Unskilled and unaware of it: How difficulties in
recognizing ones own incompetence lead to inflated self-assessments. Journal
of Personality and Social Psychology, 77 (6), 1121-1134.
Payne, W. (1983). A study of emotion: developing emotional intelligence; self integration; relating to fear, pain and desire. Dissertation Abstracts International,
47 (203).
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Shaw, P. (2007). Intelligence and the developing human brain. Bioessays BioEssays,
29 (10), 962-973.
Woodley, M. A. (2010). Are high-iq individuals deficient in common sense? a critical
examination of the clever sillies hypothesis. Intelligence, 38 (5), 471-480.
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