How can he say a certain race is less intelligent than his when he goes around saying preposterous things that the other race wouldn't even dare to say no matter how much dumber he thought them to be? If u're gona claim to be smarter than another race at least show it with your comments.

Jay, new orleans,

Dr. Watson is truly the Galileo of our Age. His destruction has strongly reinforced a belief I have long held, that Humans have never left 'the cave'.

Adrian F. Cerny, Portland, Texas, USA

Would Dr. Watsons comets have caused any comment, at all, before 5,000 race riots and 250,000 race riot fires happened in America from 1963 to 1973? The winners of any Civil War get to call what is 'right' and what is 'wrong'.

Adrian F. Cerny, Portland, Texas, USA

If you put a black child in a white environment from birth, what do you think will happen to the that child, if given the same treatment in terms of education, employment, social, etc. Also, if you put a white child in a black environment with bad educational system with no books, gangs, drugs temptations, violents, no role models, economic depression not recession from birth, what do you think will happen to the child by time he or she reaches teenage level or beyond? On that note, blacks are stronger mentally, physically, and spiritually than whites by a long shot after 400 years of worst conditions and treatment in the HISTORY of mankind.

G E , Chicago, ILLINOIS

Watson says: “there is no firm reason to anticipate that the intellectual capacities of peoples geographically separated in their evolution should prove to have evolved identically"

That makes a lot of sense, he's saying that people are different - and we are. If, for example, somone says that black people are in general better atheletes than whites its not considered racist, but if someone dares to say that whites are in anyway superior to blacks they are branded a racist. pure hypocrisy.

Personally I think Watson is right. I think that black people are, in general, less intelligent than whites, and I don't think thats a racist point of view, its just a piece of information. Racism would be to take that information and do something with that would harm somebody.

Most people aren't racist - but that doesn't mean that we're all the same, and until we can accept differences in race and end this one-size-fits-all mentality then racial tensions will continue

Cliff, London, uk

The problem with this all is that unscientific claims such as the notion of "progress" and "intelligence" are being calculated with scientific processes. Who determines what is intelligence and what is progress is not a matter of science; it is a matter of opinion controlled by a perception that your society proposes on you. Just because European/Western ideas are being spread globally under the guise that they are progressive does not make them right. Ugh, this is a man we should no longer waste our time with. This article just shows us how socially ignorant scientist are, no matter what authority they have in their field. The fact that someone is an expert in science does not make them an expert on theorizing the human condition. No one is an expert at that because we are diverse peoples on this world and this should be respected, not called "stupid". Your generation will certainly never project the human race "forward", may your children learn from your mistakes.

Brittany H, Davis,

just to make this also clear, most "blacks" in america also come from european descent so they do not fully count in this study

john, naperville,

responding to Lisa and Robyn's posts, there are many unintelligent white people. the argument claims that on AVERAGE people of european genetics are smarter than people with african genetics. this includes the fact that some africans are smarter than whites, and also that some whites are less intelligent than some africans. surely if your so smart you can understand this very simple hypothesis? within this area of study it is shown that japanese and chinese people score the highest on AVERAGE of the IQ tests. are white people saying that japanese people are racists for being higher than them on the IQ tests? no, white people are different. on AVERAGE they may score higher, but white people and other race people can and often are very intelligent and capable. Intelligence is ONE component of being a human, albert einstein arguably the worlds most successful physicist has a lower IQ than myself, does this mean iam superior to einstein? NO! enough of the victim complex please

Rowan, Adelaide, South Australia

Lets look at the facts, lets go back over 2000 years, look and what the Romans achieved and left behind, there is just about nothing in Africa, no written langues, no building remains, apart from a few debatable basic ruins found in Zimbabwe, many Africans still live like western peoples lived in the stone age 100000 years back or more
After having lived in Africa for over 20 years I think we are different, doesn’t make anyone better than the other but we are not the same physically or intellectually

realist, Cape Town , south africa

I read some of the post saying that 'the scientist was only saying what people were thinking but afraid to say.'
Just because a white scientist goes to a Africa(a poor country) filled with black people who are deprieved from learning like we do in America or the UK doesn't mean that black people have a lower IQ.
I'm 13(8th grade)and African American and I've already achieved so much.
I skipped 3rd grade,I'm in National Junior Honor Society,I took the SAT in 7th grade,I'm in all honors classes and I've been excepted into an IB program so when I get to college I'll be able to start on my second year already.
To say that I am less intelligent than my white peers is ridiculous.If anything I'm at their level or above.
Now,I'm driven to be a scientist just to prove that black people can be smarter than a white person and it doesn't matter what your race is.It shouldn't matter what your skin color is.

Robyn, Petersburg,

I find this to be the most ridiculus dabate. Honeslty I could care less what this Dr. Watson says, and I am an African American person. However, I find it really sad that a person would agree with Dr. Watson's information and in 2008! It is like we as people took one step forward and two steps back...It just makes me sick to my stomach that as the human race we still have a ways to go...and the even stranger part is someone actually said "someone finally had the courage to say it."..that just killed me...makes me wonder if this is what the majority of the whole white population thinks of of us...

Lisa, Chicago, IL

If you try to live in Africa, you might agree with the scientist as a rule of thumb. Africa had to wait for white people to give them the alphabet, etc. etc. Rtitual murders for muti still take place all over. In all, they lived stone age lives. Even today, lobola (buying a wife, and then have her as a slave), is acceptable. However, we all know really intelligent Black people, and really stupid white people.

Barbara Van Aswegen, Pretoria, South Africa

What is Watson's definition of intelligence that is the question? I watched a group in the African bush sometime ago, the 'white' individuals within the group found it more difficult to cope within the environment despite the group all coming from a similar background in the UK.....if i was asked to measure the 'white' individuals intelligence against their black peers within the African bush environment, I would have definitely measured them as less intelligent using their black group members as a comparison. None of these people except me had ever been to the bush before. I wonder if Watson is refering more to performance than intelligence, I can't imagine that he would be able to measure a black individuals intelligence in the work place as most work is based on tasks and skills. Hmmmmm, is knowing how to do specific tasks and skills classed as intelligence? Who decided what intelligence is? I just think, poor guy, life moving too fast for you eh?

Lee, London, United Kingdom

to be honest i dont agree with his prejudices, in todays society everyone with the right and equal levels of education and upbringing unless they are mentally retarded seem to be around the same intelligence, however.... on average a white and native americans brains are slightly more massive. this agrees with the theory that whites and native americans still have the descended blood from homo Neanderthalis (this theory was abolished by idiots in government (: and they say we have free will), this also coincides with the fact that whites and native americans have thicker brows and femurs, but this extra mass of the brain would not help in academic intelligence as this is at the front of the brain which helps in social areas of life. after all this talking i need a drink :) anyway this mass to be fair is way too small to actually mean anything (homo Neanderthalis had a 12% larger brain size than homo sapia which is suppose to be us) and therefore becomes obsolete in the modern world bye

Aaron, Manchester, Britain

Beginning some 100,000 years ago, H. sapiens began migrating out of Africa and into the middle east.
Until about 10,000 years ago, their lives were dominated by highly variable ice age environments which placed a premium on resourcefulness, imagination, endurance, and, yes, intelligence. Their genetic machinery encoded, bit-by-bit over tens of thousands of years, traits that allowed them to survive the ice age and to take full advantage of the warmer climates that followed.
Those who remained in Africa lived in more benign unchallenging environments and thus changed very little, simply because natural selection produces change only as necessary.
Dr. Watson’s comments were, I suggest, based on the effects of two groups of people living in different environments for a long time. I don’t believe he was suggesting that intelligence is race-based per se; only that Black Africans were not subjected to the rigorous climates in which the out-of-Africa migrants survived and, finally, thrived.

Gerry Porter, Ottawa, Canada

Research as proven that we are actually closer genetically by height than we are by race. So that is why I do not buy this theory of his. Also, the stereotype about Asians being smarter is false. First of all it depends on the demographic or culture of the people you are sampling . Studies have shown that some Asian Americans that were born and raised in the U.S. even in priveleged neighborhoods, are just as mediocre and below average in testing as some black people or whites. After all the reading I have done about race, history, and genetics...I know he is purposefully lying. He is just saying that to get publicity. Also, what exactly would that prove? We are all going to die anyway. I don't care how accomplished he is...Are white people immortal? Why doesn't he devote his time to something that would better humankind instead of cunningly dividing it? I suggest that James Watson look up 1 Corinthians 3:19, Proverbs 21:15, Jeremiah 21:12, and Psalms 37:9.

Kimberly, Nagasaki, Japan

Take a step back and really look at all of the evidence; Watson has. Black people are, on average, less intelligent than white people. White people are, on average, less intelligent than east asian people. If you refuse to believe these things then shut up or do your own thorough scientific investigation. Watson has dedicated his whole life to study and won a Nobel Prize, god forbid the results of his research be negative. All men are not created equal, that's not an opinion, but a fact. Watson knows this and he supports equal treatment which is really the best option. No person on this planet is the same as another and that's inequality, but if we treat each other as equals and share equal rights then no one is wronged. You don't see anyone getting angry that black people are genetically better athletes. Look it up, they dominate most major sports. Our next president is going to be black and I'm fairly certain he's the best man for the job. Progress isn't lost because of truth.

Cory, Louisville, USA, Kentucky

Actually there have been studies performed on different races IQ levels and the consensus is that Ashkenazi Jews have the highest IQ of groups so I think it would be fair to say that there lies a race on the other side of the spectrum. (Whether it be black or some other race)

Mark, San Mateo, USA

It seems that D.r Watson, although an esteemed scientist, has succumbed to that catalyst that affects everyone, even though we dont talk about it, fear. The white man is afraid of the other "type" of man, we are afraid to think that we might be equal to people we unconciously relate to apes, and "lesser" types of being. How dare he say that we are better than any other people! Certainly, most blacks are smarter than him

Cal, Cambridge, England

As a white person I am appauled a this comment. I belive that all people are equal. And that no test can prove how intelligent a whole race is.

Shira , Manhatten, NY, NY

What is intelligence? Are we talking about IQ? or even EQ? (Emotional Intelligence).

When I was in secondary school in the 90s in Engalnd we had an A Level (for ages 16- 18) called general studies. I, like all my friends who were predominantly white- because it was a predominantly white school, were really excited because we anticipated that it would be easy, and so would give us an extra A Level to bump up our points for university. It turned out what was general knowlegde was general knowledge for a particular group of people- white, middle class, stemming from particular social groups.

The result? this group of students passed with flying colours and everyone else failed or received very low grades. I was very upset at the time (as a young girl) that such a flaw could be so evident but openly recognised by educational boards, and not addressed.

Lucky for me my intelligence in analysing learnt material during taught lessons enabled me to progress to doctorate level.

Ella, Sussex, England

How an intellectual can make such a statememt is beyond me.I am black and proud of it .Most importantly I know I am just as intellgent as my fellow white species. Rasict comments like that should really be discraded from society.

Chrispin Phiri, Grahamstown, South africa

What does IQ have to do with the value of a man or woman? There great men in history like Adolph Hitler and Napoleon Bonaparte who were probably as intelligent as Mr. Watson. I would imagine that he has the same values as they did. This is to say that racism, ethnocentrism as well as other isms continue to create schisms in society by the proponents of totally irrelevant statements which are continuing to be given attention by the news. I wonder if Mr. Watson would be open to the dissection of his brain to determine the etiology of his character defect.

God Bless Mr. Watson and those who attend his lectures that promotes such negativity in society

Gary Bailey, Burlington, NC

I agree with Neil Stewart, Africa is a poor country and people obviously don't have the facilities of Europe and America and the rest. So of course most black people are going to have a lower IQ.

13 year-old.

Natalie, London, England

You see, every one is missing the point. Our intelligence is being measured by what the white man thinks is right, hence, it is natural that we fall short. If you judge a white mans intelligence by our own traditions, you will classify them as not fit to live. Not worry, the truth will surely come out one day.

I give you an example, if you asked a black man from the river Niger are a good few hundred years ago who Columbus is, he will have no idea of who Columbus or what the river Niger is.

However, by the white man book, Columbus discovered river Niger and that is what you will find in African school books.
Now is that not the craziest thing you have heard?

John Emebo, UK, UK

I think he's saying what a lot of us believe. Only he has the courage to do so and face the criticism that comes from being "politically incorrect." Just as people have developed differently in terms of physical characteristics, I see no reason why people should all have developed the same in terms of mental characteristics as well. I don't think he was being racist, I think what he says makes sense.

Ann, New York,

Africans are very intelligent people contrary to what Dr. Watson has said. The main reason for the poverty in Africa is simply the fact that different ethnic nationalities were lumped up forcibly together into single countries by reason of conquest by European powers. Today there is still a struggle for leadership in these countries along ethnic lines. This has bred a system whereby positions of authority are handed out on the basis of ethnicism and not merit. The Europeans encouraged this system for a very long time because it served their interest of purchasing Africa's abundant resources at knock down prices. The result has been wars and poverty.
Africans have also built great civilizations in the past like the Benin , Dahomey, Songhai empires etc. Civilization is not just about building huge castles of stone but also how individuals and society relate with their environment for sustenance without negatively affecting the environment.

Ibibia Awoju, Lagos, Nigeria

I am quite surprised by this mans absolute comment, considering that he is from a scientific back ground which requires firm evidence. The only reason anyone has been able to bring up so far is that "AFRICA IS NOT DOING VERY WELL." this is because Africa is a poor country, and war ravaged poor nations are'nt easy to do your homework in. For instance take a capable student from Africa and allow the same opportunity to learn as Dr Watson has had and you'd see great results. Take Dr watson to Congo to complete his education and thngs could be difficult. There is also a matter of perspective that seems distorted. Many people in support of Dr watson unfounded statements seem to completly forget the colonisation of Africa by alot of Euro nations. History has shown that black people have been prevented from learning, first by not allowing us to read or write, and then segregation with poorly funded black schools, and now trying convince others that we're un-intelligent. Nature Nurture?

Neil Stewart, Bristol, England

I think it's best to keep an open mind, but people who want to praise Dr. Watson and use the line "He's using scientific research" must keep in mind that there is just as much "scientific research" that says the opposite. So who do you trust? How does this man suddenly have the last word on this? What some (black and other) people are upset about is not his so-called findings but the potential abuse of his findings. This could easily be used to turn time back to when black people by 'law' were 'not' allowed to learn. "Well, they are naturally less intelligent so why let them be educated at all?" At one time we couldn't learn, period, without severe punishment and even when I was a child there were parts of the country where I wouldn't have been able to go to certain schools (this was in America) The truth is that the good doctor has had many dodgy theories about sex & race and therefore does deserved to be viewed with at least skepticism (and some would say comtempt).

Alexander Thomas, London, originally from America

The truth hurts, Dr. Watson is only stating something that everyone else has been afraid to say. Regardless of what you believe, or how offended one might be, the facts are facts. If tests and studies support this statement, then who can argue?

Fabian, NC,

How are black people suppose to feel? how are black children suppose to rise above. this is just another blow for the black race. the real answer lies in nature versus nurture theory. Black people in my opinion are not naturally less intelligent but because the majority live in poverty it could be environmental.

Jal, Birmingham,

Finally someone who has the courage to speak the truth about this issue!

John, Germantown,

By the i'm only 10

Gloria Ukoh, Gravesend, Kent

Aren't we all people? Who cares if we're black, white or mixed race? Who cares if we're American, English, Asian Carribean African... etc. How does he even know balck people are less intelligent than the white? Yes we all know that Africa is a poor place but that doesn't mean we're dumb. Some white people we're born dumb but Some african doctors are trying save their lives. I'm only 10 but i know these things. Ok if u dont believe me: Martin Luther King for example. He was balck but was the most remembered person in history. He was Smart. To sum it all up, Civilization started in Africa, white people came to study to be scienctist in africa. So i seriously dunno what he's talking about.!

Gloria Ukoh, Gravesend, Kent

In my experience, the people who cry racism the most have been those who are the most racist...in my experience. Did no one bother to actually READ what he said? Quote: He says that you should not discriminate on the basis of colour, because “there are many people of colour who are very talented (doesn't sound remotely racist), but don’t promote them when they haven’t succeeded at the lower level” (well that just makes sense! Why promote someone if they are not performing well? THAT would be racist!): end quote. I think the PC crowd are intentionally misrepresenting what he said to get people riles and advance their own agenda...a grotesque one of homogeny (among other things, but this is not a rant). We were NOT all created equal, we are all different. That is what makes us interesting.

Shaudee, NY,

Why does everyone care so much? The level of attention you devote to this scientist's comments lends them much more visibility, whether valid or not. I think everyone's time and energy would be better spent actively enjoying their lives and bringing some positive change to the world.

Perhaps his comments have scientific value. Eventually, that will be determined as more research is completed. But even if it does have a factual basis (obviously debatable at this stage), that shouldn't affect how people choose to conduct themselves, or view others.

If you feel his comments are inaccurate, your time would be better spent demonstrating that fact with your actions in life, rather than standing and shouting, "You're wrong! We da best! And I gona tell eveyone wile not spellin rite!"

...Actually, that is one note I would have to add... When trying to assert your equal intelligence, it doesn't reinforce your point to butcher the language of your protest.

David, Columbus,

Watson's view may still be valid for whatever motivation he had. It could have been discussed purely in a scientific manner if the white men have not done all these evils to the blacks. Now the white men are just harvesting what they have sowed. In a Buddhist term, Karma.

HJ, San Francisco, US

Despite the bleak form that is occurring in Africa, at the present. One must not ignore history, history is cyclical and at one point when the Angkor Wat was built England was nothing but a hut in the midst of the forest. Cycles will change, it is not the end of history. In fact, while Nubia was great I mean English Kings were still barbarians. Rome? Greece? They don't think of themselves as white they're mediterreanean people how did Rome get associated with English people anyway? Too much movies, now you people think an Irishman's Alexander the Great

Liyana T, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

see this is waht you get when youve been colonised for 100 of years, and in turn some old white man comes with the idea that our intelligence it due to the fact that we are different race! im sorry to hear that because i some point respected this man.
and Kris, Washington, DC these people are like that because of white people, they colonised them and took away all they natural resources and left them with nothing. white people olny 'help' african countries they have intrest in them, i.e for political, economic reason. the only areas in south africa thats doing well is the white areas. the only countries that developed in the world are white men's area, thats what they like us to think anyway. because white people grouped everyone; third world, first world. lol,
and that becuase as Frank said "you developed by underdeveloping other countrie" therefore if it werent for africa white people would be the pooresrt of the poorest!

fai, leicester, england

this is a perfect example that education isnt all knowledge,to some it is to others its paper work,but i dont blame that old white man hes probably too old and obssessed with his qaulifications to think clearly.

peter whites, auckland, new zealand

It has been proven, time and time again, by history itself that Africans and Black people all over the world have contributed immensely to society at large; and not just in the mode of entertainment as some would love to think. So, my question is, did our intelligence dwindle to a lesser stature than whites over the course of evolution? (HUH?) Or is this yet another broad statement, which purposely enrages black people and once again presents our feverish defense against yet another attack as unintelligent? We shall overcome.

Kris, Washington, DC

It is not said that all blacks are less intelligent, and that not whites are more intellegent. But look at the countries in Africa that is under Black rule. Those countries are not doing to well. Even look at South Africa, the amount of crime, the unemployment rate, The poverty, the lack of housing, the corruption, and the list goes on. Even after 12 years of democracy, the goverment feels that something like Affirmative Action is still requiered. Why? So that that companies are still forced, not to employ the best person for the job, but the best Black person for the job. What are they afraid of. Our goverment has created reversed racism. Everything that goes wrong is blamed on apartheid or whites. Blacks in this country are more racist now, after democracy, than the whites are.

Maybe its not a question of intelligence, maybe its one of morallity. What your culture teaches you. Maybe Its not what you know, but how you are taught to deal with what you know.

Rex, JHB, South Africa

EGYPT was an Arab society..not African..the Africans were their slaves...if you look at the Egyptian paintings royalty was drawn wih light skin based on Arab features...

sharon, boston,

We are the so called fore - fathers of civilzation and yet we languish in abject poverty. We are truly "inteligent" yet we are utilized at maximum potentials at our expense. Ask me how many africa - americans have today been eager to locate his or her genetic link with africa. It is even yet sad that we cannot learn from currend trends. South Africa today survives as a leading economy in Africa but note that South Africa is 40% white and 60% black. Robert Mugabe sent all white farmers away from Zimbabwe and tell me what followed? Britain(coal country)- one of the richest. Nigeria (Oil country)- 26th poorest in the world. From old slavery to modern slavery yet we cannot think! The Civil war in Sudan is a good example and the Rwandan genocide still remains fresh in our memories!

Fasanya O I, Abuja, Nigeria

Im a 23 year old black woman, who happens to own a media company that's one of the BEST in Africa. I graduated from university @ the age of 20. Instead of 7years @ primary school, i did 5. And 4 in high school. They always "upgraded" me coz im intelligent.

I have 19 employees, 10 blacks, 2 indians & 8 whites, and to tell you the truth, YOUR SO CALLED IMPORTANT PEOPLE ARE THE DUMBEST IN MY COMPANY! (Very funny)

Khanyisa, Johannesburg, South Africa

The Africans that built Egypt, created mathematics, science, chemistry, religion all rolled up in the highest sign of science known as Philosophy did not disappear. We were conquered after thousands of years of rule.
After this we were ruled by the Arabs, but that did not stop our innovations and skills.
We then conquered and ruled the Iberian Peninsula (Spain) and would have gone into France if not for Charlemagne's Grandfathers ability to stop our advances.
We then proceeded to civilise Spain and disseminate our knowledge. People came from all over Europe to gain our knowledge.
Since we were adversary's to the European's the Jews served as middle men for the dissemination of OUR knowledge. This is how YOUR Oxford University was established.
'Catch up yuh lip! and pull that foot out of your mouth!

Laurence Oliver, Brooklyn, US

I imagine that if Dr. Watsons’ studies involve the natively born Black Americans then there might be a small and very insignificant amount of truth to his comment. However, and most importantly, if Dr. Watson is underlining or pointing out what has been inherited then he is ignoring White Americas’/Europeans 500-year-old start at inheriting better intelligence. Dr. Watson wishes to make ignorant statements is not based on any scientific findings though much like common sense. We all naturally absorb or inherit from our parents, grandparents, great grandparents, and so forth. We inherit eye colors, hair colors, diseases, noses, lips, and yes-even intelligences. So, he is celebrating his scientific studies brought on by a 500-year old lead due to the affliction of slavery? I do not believe that any other race has been subjected to beatings or death for attempting to gain intelligence.
As far as African Americans: those whom are natively born from Africa; influences there as well

C. Fitz, Glen Burnie,

I think Dr. Watson is telling the truth. Research the stats and see which ethnic group on the national average scores lowest on the ACT and SAT tests; has the highest rate of high school drop outs; and again has the the lowest - on the national average - IQs than any other ethnic group.

Cami, Texarkana, Arkansas

Dr. James D. Watson is a brave man stepping out of the political correct line to say what people of all races already know, we are different. When studying history one thing that always amazes people is how bias man can suppress scientific thought because of religious beliefs. A religion correct line if we must. How could men of such high learning be so blind? So my question to all the critics of Dr. Watson is why are you so blind? If you cannot be honest about these topics then go back to your shadows and do not pollute the truth.
D. G. Young

D. G. Young, Killen, Al

Intelligence? It seems that a measure of intelligence is how many people can you justifiably suppress.. Is it intelligent to squeeze our planet of resources, push "primitive" people out of their homes in the name of progress; consume more than we need (especially, in the "intelligent" west); take credit for achievements that are not all our own? Intelligence is conferred to those with the biggest voice, the biggest gun, the most money. Intelligence seems to mean that you can look down on the not so intelligent. As I grow older I have stopped being in awe of the intellectual because I am consistently disappointed to find that they are easily among the most stupid people I meet. Blinkered by their own achievements, theories and their unwavering belief in their intelligence they are capable of leading nations to torture and murder in the name of superior intelligence forgetting that being intelligent gives you no more rights to land, property, to leave in peace than anyone else.

Arlene Slater, London,

l like Mr What ? He is so good he make you comment about your own egnorance . I believe this is one of the lessons that we need to lean as Africans taking control of our self’s and the world we leave in ,otherwise we will always became victims of this shameful world .
The fact that we master and honour her majesty language and we try very hard to become part of her world this is part of megandase our selfs to the bureaucrats such as Mr what what. Lastly let us prove our self’s that we are able more than them and we think better than them, by doing good to our self and come up with progressing things. we have to achieve and develop our selfs and stop to depand on them.
This man I like him very much he is a constant reminder that a white man is still my enemy and he whont ever change his peseption about me and you.

Danster , BFN, South Africa

This is one of the most shameful things any sane modern human being should move away from. What if we say white people are historically thieves? Wouldnt it make much more sense when we think about the plunder they have made on rich african resorurces, including stealing our strong and intellengent young men through slavery? This is shameful. Ok, let me propose something, white people are historically criminals, in fact, all countries which perpetrated slavery ought to be taken to task for crimes against humanity.

Andrew, leeds, England

I think i will write a book entitled, the Black man is more intelligent than the white man, then i will attend all the launches and i will be so rich and famous, media houses will call me for interviews and my book will be the best seller.
let me see i will start by doing a small site entitles black are more superior than whites.
big deal on who is more intelligent, i cant call starting a war in Iraq intelligent.

Mfalme Elmiagi, Nairobi, Kenya

We have soo many dillusional people in this World. This is a classic example of someone with proficiency in his Scientific profession but with a hateful resentment towards people of darker shade. This shows how hate is still grossly imbeded into American society. Those from the so called "Elite" class claim that Southern Whites are the only racist in America. In many cases it's people like James Watson who have sustained oppression of non-whites in this country more so than Southern White.
It's too bad they can't take his Noble Prize back for dishonor. You can have Olympic Gold Medals taken away for improper activites so why not the Nobel prize?

Dhugaa Basaa, Los Angeles, CA

I dont find this debate at all edifying. Some small minded white person repeating an assertion that has beenmade by his kin for 1000s of years is but an insult to the much vaunted intellect of such kin. Watson would perhaps better spend his time discovering something useful, such as 'a cure for the stupidity of the balck person'. Or would that be too far beneath his superior intellect?

As for the the scientific community that gives him the cloak of respectability (respected scietist, respected by whom?) it might be time re-examine whether he is a worthy member of your society. Unless ofcourse you quietly agree with him in which case, what would be the point.

maurice othulo, LONDON, England

Have you stolen you TV on national Television today? The audacity of you denying something that is so apparently true through how "your people" put themselves out there. If you dont want to be thought of as less intelligent, MAKE SMARTER DECISIONS! Have a nice day.

Aaron, Bossier City, US, LA

What can I say about this? Such a respected person as him, it's a shame. I am black and I think it's a complete waste for the entire nation; human nation. Sad.

Arnold, Paris, FRANCE

Lets not forget that this measurement of 'intelligent' is achieved using the white man's yard stick, therefore it is only relevant to westerners. the question should now be, what is the point of this continuous assertion of superiority over the Africans? is it to justify the present and past demise of black people caused by the west? or is it to justify the extraction of resources from African to sustain the west? the 18th century scholars used this same ideology to justify slavery, which made them very wealthy, could hat be the same now?. i do not care what the white man thinks of me as i do not wish to control nor monitor his thoughts, rather i am concern with how his ideas become actions that effects and determines my fate in a world dominated by the white man's idea.

maureen, Dublin,

I think it is appalling that a man of such intelligence can be so narrow minded as to think that black people are less intelligent than others; there is absolutely no scientific proof that this is correct. There are so many clever black people in the whole in proportion to white and other races, and it shows that Watson is the less intelligent person here.

Olivia, London,

There are racial differences in physical structure (muscle density, height), and skin tolerance (melanin). Additionally, the socio/economic situation of an individual can and will influence a person actions or behavior. However to say that the color of the skin can affect the learning capacity of a person is absurd!

Sib , Boston, MA

Well maybe one should then claim that the Japanese,Indians,Chinese(East Asia) and Jews are more intelligent than the whites.More of those people of genetic makeup in the NASA or MIT than whites.Jews and Chinese control most of the world economy-obviously more intelligent.The whites are pirates -all they did was to rob the africans of their rich resources, leave them depleated and make them dependent through neocolonisation.Any head of state of Africa who was against the whites was most usually assisinated(CIA) etc.The whites hate the blacks so much that they will do anything to keep them inferior.Who were the more ecologically intelligent? The so called savages.If we had more blacks in this world our earth wouldn`t have the drastic ecological changes we are having now.Maybe blacks are a superior race-both physically and IQ wise and the whites fear them and hence do evrything to make the rest of the world think otherwise.Black skin is superior to white.Dermatologically seen.

reddy MD, Germany,

Genetically seen black skin is healthier and evolutionary superior to white skin.Due to the less melanocytes and melanin pigment in the white skin-(genetically determined) they are more prone to dying out Darwin`s theory of natural selection..tfrom Skin cancer-Melanomas etc...Due to the hole in the ozone layer and the massive UV radiation getting worse each day.The hole created by their greed and industrialisation will eventually cause them to die out.Goodbye to blondes and white skin-hello to healthy beautiul white skin.W´hites usually love to put down anything that could be superior to them.Blacks are beautiful with the supeior skin colour.Genetically superior!

reddy MD, Germany,

It is quite amazing to see how far some people will go to put a stop to the increasing success of people of black ethnic. This is just another claim to keep black people out of competition, oppressed and in poverty. Any person with half a brain knows this is not the case. How does he explain figures like Osama, who is running for presidency in America, Ms Rice, and Collin Power among many, many more. I think Mr. Watson deserves everything coming to him, because those were very outrageous comments to make. I mean, did he not think about the damage of his so cold scientific findings.

MARIAM NSUBUGA, Hammersmith, England

It is about science. There is no doubt that there are uncounted numbers of verry intelligent black pople out there. And uncountend numbers of less inteligent people from different races. But saying that all races have in general exacly the same brain power capacity is just beeing quiet becouse of some kind of pressure, internal or external .
I think it is becouse of environment. The black pearson did get far away from gathering and hunting.

Jang, Tokyo, Japan

uh, did we not all evolve from a common ancestor somewhere in.....lets see... africa?

roz, toronto,

In the 19th century, blacks were said to have black blood and were inferior, in the 20th century, the jews were racially inferior to the whites leading to the holocaust, and now blacks are again less intelligent. I am black and a doctor, my wife is a doctor, my brother is an ccountant, my nephew has a masters in oil engineering, my niece is a doctor, my nephew has an MBA, I suppose we are all unitelligent by Dr Watsons criteria. All he has done is give ammunition to demented racists all over the world and has manage to set racial relations back to the dark ages. Let him stay in America and I hope the Nobel committee withdraws his price!

Dr Laja Mustapha, Orpington, UK,

Fair to say that Dr. Watson made a great contribution to 20th century science. Now he leaves us with 2 choices. Run to the store and buy his new book or just see it as it is. Just an other way to make a living. What will you do ?

Omar, Agadir, Morocco

I don't know what these claims are based on, yet I think it would be extremely unlikely that considering the diversity of human life that the average intelligence is the same across all races.

I am white, yet I am willing to concede that other races may well be on average more intelligent than whites. That does not mean that there can't be intelligent people in every race and it does not mean environmental conditions also have no bearing on intelligence.

Watson may just be a racist, but that does not mean intelligence is independent of race. Intelligence is controlled by the way we evolve, hence why some animals are more intelligent than others. Surely by the same argument intelligence may vary due to race.

Jo R, Southampton, UK

LL from La Jolla,

You ding dong --- you are OVER-represented. You are 100% of the people in your position. Of course, whatever your handicap is (person of color, person of gender, nescient fool, etc.), THAT is what is allegedly underrepresented. Please cue the violins while I translate your screed. What you are saying is the poor folks victimized by male Whitey, including all people on Earth except Whitey himself, are wise beyond Whitey's capacity for wisdom, by virtue of their suffering, and therefore deserve employment, brain-dead or not, bigoted or not ... oops, I forgot that non-white and/or non-male people are constitutionally incapable of bigotry. My mistake.

Chris Larkin, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

The topic I'm afraid should never be explored. If we are all on average the same intelligence then there is no point in looking into it and if some people are more intelligent than others on average then this will lead to manifest prejudice.

People will be looked over for jobs and written off before being given a chance to show their abilities

I dont think the benefits out way the draw-backs in that research

M, Cardiff,

In an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Journal of Blacks in higher education African immigrants to the United States were found more likely to be college educated than any other immigrant group. African immigrants to the U.S. are also more highly educated than any native-born ethnic group including white Americans (Logan & Deane, 2003; Dixon, 2006; Journal of Blacks in higher education, 1999-2000; Onwudiwe, 2006; Otiso and Smith, 2005; The Economist, 1996). Some 48.9 percent of all African immigrants hold a college diploma. This is slightly more than the percentage of Asian immigrants to the U.S., nearly double the rate of native-born white Americans, and nearly four times the rate of native-born African Americans (The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, No. 26 (Winter, 1999-2000), pp. 60-61).

In 1997, 19.4 percent of all adult African immigrants in the United States held a graduate degree, compared to 8.1 percent of adult whites and 3.8 percent of adult blacks in the United States, respectively (The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, No. 26 (Winter, 1999-2000), pp. 60-61). This information suggests that America has an equally large achievement gap between whites and African immigrants as there is between white and black Americans.

Charles, Beverly Hills, United States

The claims that Watson has made about the intelligence level of people of African decent has no basis in fact. The laws of genetics proposed by Gregor Mendel over 100 years ago proved that some genes are dominant to others.
It has been proven that people of African decent tend to have more of the dominant genes therefore they have a stronger chance of survival over those who tend to have more of the recessive genes. Stronger genes produces people with stronger intelligence not weaker intelligence. This fact can be proven on a molecular level. In other words the intellectual ability of an individual is encoded in their DNA. The DNA of those of African decent proves that their intellectual ability is equal to that of white people.
It is shocking that a scientist who has contributed to the discovery of the structure of DNA has demonstrated his lack of knowledge about the function of DNA by making such a scientifically inaccurate statement.
Mildred, Chicago, Il

Mildred, Chicago, USA/Illinois

I have to question Dr. Watson's perspective from a scientific point of view. The black population of most countries - the U.S., Caribbean countries such as Haiti and Puerto Rico and the U.K. in particular, are not "pure bred," meaning that most people with black skin color have had ancestors who were Caucasian or members of the indigenous population (native American, for example.) If test results and employment anecdotes across the board indicate that individuals with pigmentation darker than mine are lower achievers, wouldn't that be indicative of cultural, rather than hereditary, issues?

Jean, Indianapolis, Indiana / USA

Inner city Chris with 5 degrees: you are a credit to your race, the human race that is.

Someone summed it up well with this:
'1. The standards were created by and legitimized by whites, therefore making them inherently biased, 2. Blacks have only had 40 years or so of access to the same education that whites have had for hundreds of years, and 3. I would debate that this equality of education has even been uniformly accessible.'

It is harder to do well acadamically if you are black. Not because of a lack of intelligence but the system is set up in a way which makes it harder for black people. If you are from a less privelged background it is harder to break out of that then someone with a priveliged background. As black people on average have less money and therefore come from a poorer background, it is harder for them. It is the same for working class whites-it's just there are more poor blacks.

Chris, Lewisham, London

Agreed, Watson is blinded by his prejudice towards difference. He reflects the racist science of his times that infected black people with syphilus. The hatred is disgusting, and that such a racist thinker as Waston is sufficiently priveleged to fiddle around with genetics is an utterly reviling prospect. Some one needs to critque him and publish a book on his revolting lack of humanity and the abusive nature of his character.

Huan , Vancouver, Ca

The concept of race is false. For someone who discovered DNA (an evolutionary process), it surprises me that Dr. Watson didn't point that out, when he was viciously attacked for being something that doesn't exist,e.g., racist. Human value is the manifestation of genetics, where he was only giving his perception of human value, in genetic terms. The fact that there is duality in everything, shouldn't the people with an opposing perception to his, be as viciously attacked?

JJ, SLC, USA

If Watson had the evidence to substantiate his claim then, as his clam is so radical, he would have published the evidence. He did not, so he cannot!
QED

John Cliffe, Penistone, S. Yorks

There's only one race the human race, so what we're talking about is ethnicity. We also need to consider that IQ tests measure how well you applied yourself in school which doesn’t necessarily correlate to native intelligence and can be affected by any number of factors. As a whole, blacks are quite underprivileged; they are more likely to be impoverished and to be educated in school systems that don’t have the same resources that many whites and even Asians have. There are problems of racism and low expectations that also dog the black student and have been shown to have a negative effect on their education success. Therefore, if on the whole blacks score behind whites on IQ scores we need to stop and consider what that really means. According to Asian scores, they are the smartest people on the planet or is it simply that they put a higher premium on education and therefore try harder in class? Sounds more cultural than genetic to me.

DonaldaG, Seattle, WA

If "White Men Can't Jump" <(A Black film title acceptable to everyone)then maybe, blacks are not as smart as whites as a whole. If blacks are given genic gifts with sports, then maybe It's possible for this scientist comments to be very true. If spoken about one is a racist...

Tom , new york, new york

So are whites and blacks different or the same? It seems that whites and blacks want to be different OR equal only when it benefits them, and largely ignore the problems they cause together. (I would call this human nature!) It would make sense if the blacks are "not as intelligent" as whites for three reasons: 1. The standards were created by and legitimized by whites, therefore making them inherently biased, 2. Blacks have only had 40 years or so of access to the same education that whites have had for hundreds of years, and 3. I would debate that this equality of education has even been uniformly accessible. That's not touching on the fact that the quality of education has been steadily declining, so even now that blacks are given opportunities to access the education system, it's not the same quality of education that it was 10-15 years ago. I'm not sure what the answers are, but it's our problem, every one of us, and you certainly can't judge this book by it's cover (or color!)

GM, Atlanta, USA / Georgia

People are different. Black athletes are stronger and anyone denying this look at sports like basketball and football. Who cares though. Every group has advantages and disadvantages. Could it be on average blacks are slightly less intelligent, then say, Asians. Maybe. But so what. The problem arises when categorizing that ALL black people are less intelligent. Does that mean ALL Asians have a smaller penis? What about white people. I'm sure there are differences, but who gives a damn if I'm smarter or dumber than my neighbor. You know in 1000 years, there will be just one race because the world as a whole is mixing and sharing, so future generations will be hybrids of many groups. I have a strong idea that many many years from now, black, white, Asian, etc, will be non-existent and will be viewed as archaic thinking. Competing in the Olympics, one country against another in the name of pride will be considered pretty superficial.

Kiran, Edison, USA / NJ

Truth if it hurts should not always be SPOKEN

Isaac, brooklyn, USA/NY

I have a problem with people like Alyssa who say "people who have a problem with black people are racist." Not only WHITE PEOPLE can be racist, blacks can be racist too.

you know what? instead of being called white, i want to be called european-american. the term "white" offends me because i am, infact, not that color.

Eliza, L.A.,

As an underrepresented student in a biomedical sciences PhD program, I have encountered a surprising number of other high IQ people with extremely misguided views about different races and cultures. They make the mistake of thinking that their best guess of how social inequities come about is a fine substitute for actually experiencing the challenges of a different race or culture. Watson's comments, like those of Lawrence Summers (infamous Harvard president who thinks women naturally suck at science and math), are precisely the reason we need to continue to increase representation of minorities and women in science.

His remarks are as ignorant as saying that there is a genetic basis for arrogance and racism among people of european descent.

LL, La Jolla, CA

i think when it comes to being with arfican americans is like being with people who think as white people do. None is smarter than another when it comes to color. people who have a problem with black people are racic.

Alyssa, citrus heights, california, sacromento

How do you know he didn't actually study this an come up with claim after studying African's genes and by doing tests. It seem possible that one race could have different intelligence than others. Some races are faster, grow taller, grow shorter, have different colors. Why couldn't intelligence be affected by the different races and our different genes?

Nob, Dallas, TX

It is certainly an interesting thought, why should intelligence evolve the same? All havent the same capacity, that is a fact, why cant we accept the reason? Geography limits space where things happen. Same goes with those who have closer re-population than others. A friend of mine have 15 generations since year 1700, I have 9, this should affect evolution in long run should´nt it? We are different, we must accept this and be glad for still having left that what intelligence rules out. Some are closer to their origin, this must be true and maybe not always a bad thing?

Matt, Uddevalla,

I think many, if not all white people believe it only he says it out loud.

A black woman.

Angelina, washington ,

Winning a Nobel Prize may prove the greatness of a person’s one scientific achievement. However, it does not guarantee that a person will be a great scientist or a noble person.
Watson was lucky to do research in an era that had less resistance to theoretical findings so that his purely hypothetic paper could even be eventually published in Nature. However, his knowledge of life may have been frozen at the 1962 level. His overemphasis on genetics and ignorance of other discoveries may have hindered scientific advancement necessary for a full-spectrum understanding of life including what intellectual capacity is.
Please read the following two articles to see whether or not the above judgments are fair for Watson.

1. Watson Slips on his own Genetics-Based View and Darwinism (Top Watch 2: 69-71, 2007; http://im1.biz/albums/userpics/10001/TW2007V2N2A15_Watson.pdf)

2. A Revelation of Repeated Disappointments with James Watson (Pioneer 2:36-38, 2007; http://im1.biz/albums/userpics/

Shi V. Liu, Apex, USA/NC

It is hard to believe that a man who has won a Nobel Peace Prize would stoop so low as to sling racist slurs toward a race of people in order to garner attention for his faltering defunct career.
However, this type of behavior sounds very familiar.

Thinking back to Albert Einstein's outrageous behavior and mind rattling comments Einstein was oft to make about other scientist and some members of other White communities, once his career had peaked and began to go down hill. And we all know how sadly his life and career ended.

So maybe, at nearly 80, mind weakening and career falling apart, Dr. Watson is acting out, acting less intelligent than he prehaps should be acting.

jean walker, Dayton, , Greene, Ohio

In response to the statement by Ntui Felix Ayuk, Siegen, Germany ... all leaders think about what is best for their people as a whole, even if it means sacrificing a few, wether or not it worked out for the best is circumstantial. If you think its just Africa is isn't - USA did tests and injected american citizens with radioative material to see its effects during the Manhatten Project. A small e.g. for you to think about. Africa remains in poverty because it has been savaged by colonialism and the rifts created then will take more than a few generations to heal. Look up "the rape of africa" or pick up an OBJECTIVE history text. The blacks were kept in subservience, the natural resources exploited without much development, then europe pulled out, except for those who stayed and continued apartheid. . I could go on but im running out of space. Please read a few history books, and try to understand that develpment in many ways was basically put on hold during this period of exploitation

Matt, St.Cathrine, Jamaica

Why has Africa remained the only continent with leaders who donnot think for their people?
Why has African remained the only continent which upon hearing that Chirac is coming for a visit will sweep alll the streets and aftzer his departure donnot care to do that for herselves?
Why has Africa remained the only continent with the highest rate of poverty despite the vast deposits of natural resources?
Indeed this Mr. Watson is wrong in his statement but I want smebody to answer me this questions because I think any wise person would allow things to happen that way....

Ntui Felix Ayuk, Siegen, Germany

I don't believe that Dr. Watson means to say that "Black" people are not intelligent but Africans do not have the institutional and educational advances that we have. Evolution does vary by region but not to say that Africans are behind, just to say that it is not equal, everyone is not the same but all equally important with our own intelligence, and talents. Maybe I'm not saying what the Doctor said exactly and maybe it sounds like I support him but I support the theory of variance and we can not be equal if we are not the same.

Monet, Philadelphia, PA

Out of modesty and not meaning to blow the trumpet of the black race. I would like to remind us that there is a lot to show that the foundations of modern day education, infractruture and technology can be traced back to Africa our homeland. If we take a few examples such as early writing, numerals, and other wonders of the world such as the pyramids, I wonder then if anyone has a right to say the black race or any race at all is less intelligent than the other. I say we should all remember our roots, history and should not be daunted by such issues.

Oluwabankole Falade

Oluwabankole Falade, Lagos, Nigeria

Is Dr. Watson saying there are no intelligent black people in the world. Is he living in the dark ages, I am sure that there are intelligent black people where he lives. Do he know how many of the things that he takes for granted where in invented by African Americans. A lot of them were not even formally educated. Speaking as a semi educated Africa American I take great offense to what he said. I would have expected better out of some one with his intelligence.

Veronica Jamison, Wilimington, United States, Delaware

I will unabashedly stand upon the facts as Genesis and scientific evidence lay them out: there is only ONE RACE: the HUMAN RACE. The theory of evolution makes room for a host of evils, including racial discrimination. And all in the name of self-autonomy - not having to believe that God exists.

Bethany Davidson, Goderich, Ontario, Canada

have this socalled "intelligent" people ever asked themeselfes ,where do we have our knowledge from?????????

who enlightend europe,the cavemen???????????


the moor

the moor, san fernando, trinidad/tobago W.I.

There is a huge difference between being less intelligent and less educated.....even people who win Noble prizes can say stupid things.

Kat, maryland,

At the beginning - J.Watson literally stole - DNA structure discovery made and described by Rosalind Franklin - dying of cancer cristallographer - his coworker and disinformed Nobel committee. He simply took without permission her laboratory journal with latest images of DNA after her presentation at the lab meeting.

Now - he produced an opinion which just corretly reflects his attitude towards black. No surprise at all.

V.Melton, Saskatoon, Canada

People listen
On both sides, people are making good comments, but one concept has been forgotten in the agruement.
Every race has different ideas on what makes up success. Some value education, some money, some easy going lifestyle, some happy simple life. Also, the drive for success also varies between races, this is the fundamental reason together with the black communities lack of respect for education among the same age group that drops their acheivement.

krishan canagasabey, baldock, england

it saddens me when minorities, especially blacks are constantly being verbally attacked for belonging to a “DIFFERENT race and culture”. When people are sad they hurt the same. Hurt knows no color, race, gender and certainly has no intellectual ability, unless I’m not smart enough to notice.

Please people, think before you speak!

kelvin, london, Uk

The fact that we cannot define intelligence, and then set out to try and measure it, is unscientific. That the word race is still being used is also unscientific. Many of these comments have switched to using color words, black and white, further confusing the outdated unscientific use of the word race. As if that wasn't bad enough, others have used geographical terms, European, Asian, Oriental, as if they were scientific genetic groups. At least I haven't had to read about Hispanics, a language group, based on the aftermath of the Spanish conquest, as if that were a scientifically supportable genetic sample. For Dr. Watson to generalize about an entire continent's "IQ" is utterly unbelievable. I guess the history of the Nazis and the Jews wasn't tragedy enough to stop this dangerous (and TOTALLY unscientific) system of categorizing us human beings.

Edward Cookman, lake oswego, oregon, usa

I totally agree with you callaghan. Same thing happens in France.You cannot express an idea which is not "politically correct".
It would be extraordinary if black & whites had exactly the same intelligence whereas they are so different on many other points.
Why expressing something that you believe as true would automatically make you a racist ?
It was the voice of a distinguished scientist not the voice of an extreme right party member. Judgemental people should be more carefull when judging J.Waston.

bdug, toulouse, France

We all have our disadvantages and advantages regarding our cultures and ethnicty. Proffessor Watson was proclaiming this and a man with his vast knowledge and experience must be listened to. It's a pity that free speech is no longer allowed in this country.

richard callaghan, hull, e yorks

unfortunatly the assessment to education and well payd work funtions are not so equally distributed around the world. How can one expect a rainbow of races and credos or sex orientation people on every "lines" of our society?

Kalinka, Portugal, Portugal

Let's have a thorough discussion about intelligence first! And I suppose the appalling reeks of this filthy debate will just vanish into the air!

And please do not mention IQ which is a completely flawed statistical tool designed by a consumerist society for a consumerist society. The junk-food of thought. Intelligence is and always be multi-dimensional! The intelligence of Man is so wide that it can hardly be appraised!

And please, stop pointing at Political Correctness which serves only to dissimulate your own ignorance.

Now let's have a thorough debate about this unprecedented wave of xenophobia and racist ideas across Europe. In eighteenth century Europe, those who supported racist ideas were invariably those who opposed laws in favour of the poor. Some conservatives even thought that the English poor were another race!

Those who are supporting this new revisionism are simply serving the interest of the rich while needlessly upsetting billions.

Yanai Guedj, Paris

Yanai Guedj, Paris, France

One would suppose Dr Watson hopes he ain't no one drop dude? He does remind me of the honors social studies teacher I would have had, and how that teacher admitted he did not understand black people or black history.

Chip Surkett, Rochester, NY, US

Everybody should read "FREAKONOMICS" - it teaches us that we need to think twice before assuming that a correlation between two sets of data implies a direct link. Example: black students score lower on tests. Oh, that must mean black students are not as smart as their non-black counterparts! What flawed logic.

"Freakonomics" points out that there are many socio-economic, socio-cultural and even psychological factors at play, and statistics NEVER speak for themselves. One thing to consider, for example, is that as a GENERAL rule, people only perform as well as is expected of them. That's why things like poverty have a cyclical effect. Teachers don't expect poor students to perform well on tests, so they encourage them less. The same students thus find that they are praised for doing the minimum that is required to pass. What's the incentive to excel then?

Sadly, even the most intelligent people will think whatever they want to think, as such is the nature of prejudice.

NH, London, UK

This could only be true if we reject the following facts.

Nature and nurture questions.

IQ

Intelligence and colour Question.

The question about the intelligence of Blond people and Halfcast.

Richard N Amoako Belgium

Amoako, Merksem, Belgium

I am NOT racist myself, but I do accept that there are differences (good and bad) between the various races of the earth and I think it is absurd that political correctness has gone so far that we cant even celebrate these differences for fear of being branded a racist. For example it is generally accepted that black athletes are physically superior to white athletes. However this is not to say that white athletes are rubbish;its just an evolutionary difference between races.

Therefore IF there is evidence to support James Watson, then he is entitled state it. Of course to imply that ALL black people are stupid IS racist. You cant paint every black person with the same brush; there would be serious adverse social&employment issues if black people were looked upon as inferior. Society needs to embrace racial differences and build on them: celebrate the good differences and help to reconcile the bad, rather than hiding behind political correctness and failing acknowledge they exist.

Joe, Totton, UK

Keith Vaz says the scientist's comments are baseless. He IS a Scientist and Vaz is a mere politician who relies on cliches taken from the the Nulab reference book on "What to say and when".

I believe it true the blacks are better than whites when it comes to most sports. Just look at the colours of the top athletes around the world. On the same line, now look at the colours of the top scientists, business leaders, lawyers et al around the world. What do you see?

Terry Harris, Brighton, UK

Kethel your coment regarding Nigerians proving their intelligence by running their clever scams is ridiculous.
Look how easily they get caught!

Caleb, London, England

Dr. Watson has been denounced by his colleagues, fired from the institute he pretty much founded, his speaking engagements in England cancelled, and he has since skulked out of England, yet, this part of the story does not appear in this publication anywhere, let alone as the most emailed. One has to wonder...

Felicia, Birmingham, Int'l PhD student/USA

Maybe we whites (in the name of religion) killed of the intelligent natives in order to rule (profit)..hence no gene base for future generations ??

Kasou, Norrköping, Sweden

Modern politics has taken over from the medieval Catholic Church as the source of suppression and persecution. The reaction to this person's comments are typical of the thought police.

meltonmark, Johannesburg, RSA

For Dr Watson not to have anticipated the outrage that would follow such statements as he made illustrates a lack of intelligence that would be difficult to ascribe to any race no matter what your prejudice may be. Unless, of course, he meant to be inflammatory in which case he deserves all the castigation he is getting.

Peter, London,

So all races are 100% similar in all aspects? Most of these politically correct comments makes me think the doctor got it wrong - its the other way round!

Koos van Zyl, Pretoria, South Africa

that Dr Watsn has made some remarkable achievments in his professional capacity does not sweep under the carpet, the fact that he is yet a human and as such, has his inherent biases and flaws. As a research student of international economic law, I stumble into, on daily basis during research, great and up coming black and asian intellects at reknown institutions across the globe. The endemic problems of wars, corruption occassioning poverty and sit-tightism in governance, are all left-overs of (and are still fuelled by)the west who are perennially stifling economic growth and development in the third world(eg. Iraq, Liberia).However, on a more optimstic note,with the effects of globalisation, opportunities noe exist for employees to directly compare a wider variety of staff from across the colurs of the globe and only then could real sampling and analysis be made. Too early Dr Watson.!

sam okoro, london, england

Watson is arguably an intelligent respected scientist in his OWN GENRE. What I seem tohave missed from his theory are the other facettes to IQ, like environment, social, politica and economic cirumstances all of which play a part in shaping the holistic aproach to intelligence. For starters:How many times have socalled uninteilligent people defied their special 'Brand' and become success stories restoring their integrity. My question:what was Watson's MOTIVE, his hypothesis <premise>to what purpose. The danger is sometimes people go onto investigate cases for which they already have solutions<self-fulfilling prophecies>. Being a man of colour <black> who spent the first 22 year sof my life in Africa, a decade in Germany and am now living in the UK, my advice to all black people is: Make a choice to be SMART and WISE<wisdom is the prinipal thing>. Block off all this noise as it will only distract you. Discover who you are, don't allow other people's discoveries to overshadow your own.

jamzie, east midlands, uk

Intelligence or IQ is best measured as it is written across the ages, through culture and science and the humanities. This must also include EQ, or “emotional intelligence,” since man is more than an abstract mind. Heart and mind ultimately go hand in hand.

To base racial intelligence on mere “IQ” tests has something inherently foolish and narrow-minded about it. For example, we always hear how well Asians perform in “IQ” tests. I have no doubt that that they do, but where is the Asian Euclid, Archimedes, Plato, Aristotle, Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Galileo, Gauss, Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Shakespeare, Goethe, Newton or Einstein, to name but a few? Surely if IQ tests are an indicator of great intelligence, they should exist – no?

This is NOT to disparage Asians, who I think very highly of, but to make the point that culturally, Asians have their own kind of creativity and ways of excelling, all quite wonderful and every bit as human as another. The paranoid need for a “literal equality” obscures this, or merely confounds the issue.

It is therefore a mistake to judge all races by a single narrow standard, no matter how inclusive that standard seems to be unto itself. Before one can even discuss Africa, Africa needs to be understood in terms of its own cultural identity and creativity as expressed across the ages.

Consider this: could Bach have expressed his musical genius in the stone age? Or does a mechanism have to be in place before a faculty can give life to it? Perhaps the faculty itself helps to create it. Perhaps humanity has forms of intelligence not yet expressed? Perhaps the races of man have hidden capacities?

The situation we are all in is this: to adequately judge intelligence itself requires intelligence. All too often, the thing “Intelligence Tests” wind up testing is the simple-minded stupidity—unbeknownst to the testers—of the test and testers themselves.

Robert Farrell , Richmond Hill, USA, New York

First of all, I'm sure that most people don't know the works, books and even how DNA works. Mr. Watson is against the Eugenia. We know that some dogs, cats and horses have different qualities and abilities. Just because we think we are the "most" intelligent being in the "universe" we have no differentiations when it is convenient. Same education + money + life quality = same people, no matter the color or race. We have social and historical background against the black people, it is true. As far I remember, we don't have one black who won the Nobel prize (in scientific subjects, exception to the "peace" prize). What Mr. Watson must care is just that: such comments can cause riots and politics issues. I'm not against black or any other color or race but we have the freedom of speech.

Luiz Rakkan, São Paulo, Brazil

After reading some of these responses, I have come to the conclusion that there are a lot of stupid people in the world, (contributing to a debate on 'Intelligence' - oh, the irony!)despite decades of free education.

For those who are in the ' I am not saying Dr. Watson is right but ......' or ' He is a Noble Prize Winner, so he must be right ......' camps, you should not be allowed out on your own with adult supervision!

Professor Jared Mason Diamond's 'Guns, germs and Steel' has been available in most bookstores, for a number of years.
I would suggest 'members' of the above groups read it, and in this way, you will not embarrass yourself, by promoting your ignorance so publicly.

By the way 'intelligent people' know that it was Watson, Crick and Franklin!!

DM., London,

I think it is important for us to understand what is ment by 'intelligence'. what evidence has Dr Watson used to support his claims? If you ask why black people are underachieving in western societies, then look firstly at 'psychi' of the west. Only 200 years ago black people were viewed as being less than human. No wonder than why it is hard for thyem to 'achieve' in such an intrinsically racist society.

Secondly how is intelligence measured. as a psychologist i would like to point out quit catigorically trhat within the psychological comminuty, the measurement of IQ is always scrutinised as the tools used are not always accurate and for someones findings to be held in great esteem, they have to be peer revied and someone else shoukld be able to get the same if not very similar results using the same methods. I doubt that Dr Watson could make avalable any scientifically tangible evidence to accert his view.

Tahirah Pilgrim, London, United Kingdom

Just because Dr Watson is a scientist, it does not mean that he knows what he is talking about when it comes to intelligence. That is the realm of psychologists not a geneticist!

It is true that some black people are less intelligent that some white people. It is however equally true that some white are less intelligent that some black people. There are more variations within ethnic groups than between. If you were to match Blacks and Whites for age gender socio-economic status and educational achievements etc I do put you would find any significant results.
Moreover, is it not also true that poor white people under achieve also? Is it not true that in Britain social mobility is at an all time low! Working class white males are now seen as the most underachieving nationally. Come on now Dr Watson,
I can tell you this as a black female psychologist I am truly disappointed that someone of your standing will make such claims that he cannot substantiate

Tahirah Pilgrim, London, United Kingdom

There also may be a bit of British nationalism hidden in all this too. I think it always stuck in the British craw that an American essentially discovered the structure of DNA.

could the opposite be applied to the jet engine, penicilin, radar, vertical take off jet and so on

ok you got to the moon but only with herr braun's help

jim, perth, uk

some countries which gained independence from Britain in the 50/60s have got worse off in the past number of decades. Others such as malaysia etc have done very well

alan, dumfries,

James Watson's views about Africans may be distasteful and politically incorrect but they are consistant with accepted theory of evolution. Darwin's theory is based upon his observations of the parallel and differentiated development of finches. The humans that left Africa axiomatically faced different challenges to their survival to those who remained. Is it not a sign of our increasingly immature society that we cannot deal with inconvenient truth.

Charles Clarke, Gillingham, UK

Black 'History' and lack of any civilzational achievement backs up Dr Watson's assertion.
All other civilizations have acheived glorious things at some point or other. Black (Africans) have never acheived anything, no inventions, cultural superlatives etc unfortunately. Therefore there has to be credence in the assertion that they have low intelligence.
All other groups in education, industry or their civilizational history have attained certain levels of development and success. Blacks also are not the only ethnic group to struggle and achieve while facing adversity. Therefore this also is not an excuse.

lucas Bigg, Timbucktu,

Who are we to judge anyone on the basis of anything? More so, what purpose does it serve? Although I do not agree with Watson, I am thankful for his part of the whole, lest we are incomplete. I believe our consciousness rather than intelligence, determines world conditions. Moreover, the problem in overcoming these conditions is the idea of “separateness” – that somehow based on something we are separate. This perpetuates issues like racism, poverty, violence, etc., which in turn hinders our evolution. We are one! There is no “we and they”. Everything is connected, and here for a loving reason that is beyond our mental understanding, and the illusion of the physical. We can know this, by letting go of fear and judgment, and by accepting what we are right now: One Love!

ZiN A. Newman, Houston, Texas

Well the Roman Church told Galileo to shut up too because his work violated its world view. In fact the same assertions were made by two extremely distinguished social scientists in a 1994 book, the Bell Curve. Watson's beliefs are nothing new in scientific circles. There also may be a bit of British nationalism hidden in all this too. I think it always stuck in the British craw that an American essentially discovered the structure of DNA. His associates were just that: associates. He was the one who saw the pattern.

Hal, Tucson,

This question is for all readers: Why do we need to know which is the more intelligent race? Why is it a fact that needs to be accepted by any one? I,nor should you need to be validated by someone telling us that we are the most intelligent. The basics are that we all need the same things to thrive: Love, some sort of healthly nutrition, and a since of belonging. I desprately look forward to the day when "we can all just get along," and not need to settle the argument "Who's is bigger?"

Markisha , Baltimore,

I don´t know what is more chocking... Readind What Watson says or the comments! We're commiting the same mistakes of the past. Scientists have family, political views, ideals... they're not so objective as we think they are.

One thing we know for sure...Following what he describes as an intelligent person, exposing, spending private and public money in these kind of ideas isn't a very smart thing to do!

Ana, Coimbra, Portugal

Let us not forget that the first discovered human being is called "Lucy" from Africa & China more than 5000 years of civilization. Such comment by a Nobel laureate with no scientific basis is shameful & not regretable.

Richard Fairmont, Singapore, Singapore

One of the constants in the comments supporting Dr Watson's claims is this statement "why do black people under-achieve, then?"