Ok, the "we evolved" arguement was coming from the article linked in the second post.
"The tendency of a crossbred individual to show qualities superior to those of both parents requires three conditions: population shift away from random mating of individuals within a population, deviation from showing no tendency to choose partners with particular traits. This natural selection creates breeding true for the corresponding characteristics. This minimizes the varying of the genes passed to the offsprings."
I have to think that's not it too. In the first linked article Flynn attributes the generational growth to education, not genetics, raising the academic abilities (or potential) that an IQ test is built for. I thought he said we spend more time interacting with symbolic thought and that seeps into our conversations so the whole culture is becoming more intelligent according to the IQ tests. I think that's more likely. Then again maybe it does come from the self- selection and those who would test for a high IQ would also enrich their environment.
Also, who knew that the birth-order studies favoring the eldest were replaced by studies revealing no benefit or preference for birth order? It said so in the second link. It seems the outdated ones compared cross-family rather than birth order within the same family. (Second link). As an eldest I demand a recount. But since I have two kids I love equally I'll let science slide.
I missed the Carol Dweck interview. It was on Monday. I forgot to set the DVR. I had just got back from a weekend trip and I forgot about it. Bummer.
