Let’s say it all turned out as expected and with minimal side effects we turned 100 IQ embryos into 150 IQ super-babies. Wouldn’t this guarantee that every one of those enhanced children have zero chance at a normal upbringing? If they attended school at normal ages and progressed at a normal pace they would be horribly understimulated, but by attending accelerated programs they miss out on all the socialization and key moments we get by default. Eight-year-old high school graduates won’t be found at prom or getting to have an awkward crush.
Now you might say there’s plenty of evidence showing that super high IQ individuals can have a high quality of life, but I feel like there’s a qualitative difference here. In those cases it’s a gift; a rare occurrence where even if someone feels like they’re missing out, they can at least appreciate what they gained in return. Here though, it’s someone’s fault they’re this way. Should parents really have the right to deliberately place their child so far outside the realm of normal human experience? This seems fundamentally different from the more typical ways parents shape their children’s lives.
I have also been thinking about this. It’s hard growing up being ‘odd’. Ideally, it would be great if the super babies grew up together, so that they would not feel isolated/weird.
You don’t have to go full commune/kibbutz (although that could be fun), but I think the kids would benefit from knowing each other.
This would not be so important for gen 1 of the super babies (+10iq from the parental mean means they would probably be fine in a regular gifted program), but I think gen 2 onwards will really need to lean on each other for support
The worst argument in the world remains true: Someone’s gonna do it. Might as well be someone who will make some attempt at doing it ethically and with kindness. You don’t want this done by folks whose alignment is, say, chaotic evil.
Let’s say it all turned out as expected and with minimal side effects we turned 100 IQ embryos into 150 IQ super-babies. Wouldn’t this guarantee that every one of those enhanced children have zero chance at a normal upbringing? If they attended school at normal ages and progressed at a normal pace they would be horribly understimulated, but by attending accelerated programs they miss out on all the socialization and key moments we get by default. Eight-year-old high school graduates won’t be found at prom or getting to have an awkward crush.
Now you might say there’s plenty of evidence showing that super high IQ individuals can have a high quality of life, but I feel like there’s a qualitative difference here. In those cases it’s a gift; a rare occurrence where even if someone feels like they’re missing out, they can at least appreciate what they gained in return. Here though, it’s someone’s fault they’re this way. Should parents really have the right to deliberately place their child so far outside the realm of normal human experience? This seems fundamentally different from the more typical ways parents shape their children’s lives.
I have also been thinking about this. It’s hard growing up being ‘odd’. Ideally, it would be great if the super babies grew up together, so that they would not feel isolated/weird.
You don’t have to go full commune/kibbutz (although that could be fun), but I think the kids would benefit from knowing each other.
This would not be so important for gen 1 of the super babies (+10iq from the parental mean means they would probably be fine in a regular gifted program), but I think gen 2 onwards will really need to lean on each other for support
The worst argument in the world remains true: Someone’s gonna do it. Might as well be someone who will make some attempt at doing it ethically and with kindness. You don’t want this done by folks whose alignment is, say, chaotic evil.