Asia, here I come (back)

Loughton_Monkey

ninky wrote: »

is it to do with where you are born or IQ though? on average the IQ of chinese / asians tends to be higher than other groups and i think that is the case whether born in china or here. if china was more ethnically mixed would we see the same behaviours? higher IQ in females is linked to lower fertility as well as better assessment of risk, ability to defer gratification etc etc. i realise i am probably getting into dodgy territory here......

I personally doubt that genetics has too much to do with it. Very largely, it is down to choices. Where genetics get confused is the early years. On the day you are born, it is 100% the 'choices' of your parents and others that count. As you move progressively towards, say, 18 then you own choices start to dominate.

Even at age 6, sitting in school, you have a choice whether to listen to the teacher, or to draw a nude picture on the desk. In the evening, you have a choice to do your homework, or to play Nintendo. Parents can heavily influence this. But 'choices' are being made all the time.

These thousands of choices to (say) age 18 will add up to determine 90% of the 'destiny' of the individual. The intelligence and education. The moral and behavioural traits one will demonstrate tend to be 'locked in' by then. You could be well-set to commence a career as a Brain Surgeon. Or you might have skills to be a lorry driver.

At risk of over-simplification, an 18 year old 'slob' will have become so primarily because of 'choices' made by his parents, but to a large degree by his/her own 'choices' - possibly not 'counselled' by responsible adults. There are many kids - almost certainly born of the most unintelligent slobs - but brought up from birth by adoptive (or foster) parents who achieve perfectly good standards in life.

It's Nuture, not Nature.

Once you get to adulthood - and let's assume you are 'average'. You are reasonably well educated. You have a reasonable job. You are not dishonest...... Then you still have lots of choices. Marry? Now or later? Buy a house? Or a car first? Contribute to the pension? Maybe not. Have 1 child? Or 7? Choose to have an expensive television and borrow high-interest money for it? Or save up for it?...... All these choices will add up to whether or not you have any money when you retire.

Things that would not be related to choice would include anything genetic. Also your environment (country) of birth. Plus anything that you might term 'acts of God' like being disabled by lightening or a crippling disease....

chucky

a friend, met a Thai lady and settled with her, built a hotel for her to work in and she decided to divorce him.

his book is a good read, it gives a interesting insight and how he sees things in Thailand from his point of view - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Riff-Raffles/dp/B0048EK1AI

the reason i bring this up is that you might know him Bendix, he lived around the corner from you.

ninky_2

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

I personally doubt that genetics has too much to do with it. Very largely, it is down to choices. ....

but scientifically speaking there is no such thing as free will. choices are an illusion. it is genetics and environment that are the actual determining factor.

ninky_2

Loughton_Monkey wrote: »

It's Nuture, not Nature.

but that nuture is highly determined by nature itself.

N1AK

kabayiri wrote: »

I dislike the notion that the UK is a lost cause.

Anyone who genuinely feels that way should indeed leave, because they are not interested in building our future.

It's true for many. At the same time, many people want to help build a better society, and if they don't think they can do so in the UK they look elsewhere. Losing someone who's negative is no real loss, losing someone who wants better and doesn't believe the UK can achieve it is.

ninky_2

N1AK wrote: »

It's true for many. At the same time, many people want to help build a better society, and if they don't think they can do so in the UK they look elsewhere. Losing someone who's negative is no real loss, losing someone who wants better and doesn't believe the UK can achieve it is.

1 out 3 in though innit? plenty of immigrants coming this way with new skills, fresh ideas and energy.

people move around because their current location doesn't suit their needs or another location offers a better opportunity.

i would have thought bendix would be pleased that his lot are in charge now in the uk - albeit wearnig a blue suit with a yellow tie.

anyhow it can't be such a shithole or he wouldn't have come back to spend the last few years creaming a nice living in the city.

bendix

kabayiri wrote: »

I dislike the notion that the UK is a lost cause.

Anyone who genuinely feels that way should indeed leave, because they are not interested in building our future.

Building our future? Building WHOSE future?

I have an interest only in building a wonderful future for my family and loved ones, and that is why I'm going.

I'm a human being and family man first, and national subject second.

vivatifosi

Good luck with your move Bendix.

One of the best things I ever did was to live in a different country for a bit, it gives you a different pair of eyes through which you can analyse (and in my case also appreciate) your homeland. I wonder how many other people on this part of the forum have lived abroad? It wouldn't surprise me if it was a lot higher than the national average.

kabayiri

bendix wrote: »

Building our future? Building WHOSE future?
...

The people in the UK.

I use the term 'our' like 'our' beloved politicians do

Hey, so the UK is not for you. Fair enough. There are many economic migrants who think like you.

Loughton_Monkey

ninky wrote: »

but scientifically speaking there is no such thing as free will. choices are an illusion. it is genetics and environment that are the actual determining factor.

Phew!

So all that advertising is a waste of time. Someone should tell Sachi!

I had just decided to have a look at the race card and punt a modest £50 for the Grand national. I thought I had decided to do that by 'free will'.

It appears I must blame my poor dead parents for deciding that.

If I don't win, I can blame them forever for picking the wrong horses. Or, if I lose, would a strong letter to the Environment Agency be the best thing?