Intelligence is genetically predetermined, according to the bestselling book The Bell Curve by Charles Murray and Richard Herrnstein. But last night, the Philadelphia International Socialist Organization discussed inaccuracies and societal implications in the book at an open forum in Houston Hall. "You don't have to be a scientist to know that this book is wrong," said Katherine Dwyer, regional organizer of the New York Branch of the ISO. Based on data provided by alleged eugenicists, Herrnstein and Murray conclude that IQ test results determine social standing, according to Dwyer. "The social inequities are conspicuously missing from the authors' consideration on issues of differences of IQ," said College freshman David Aaron. Dwyer agreed: "We don't live in a society that is separated by IQ, but by social class." While some audience members seriously considered the possible mainstream social ramifications of the ideas promoted by this book, others did not think the theories would have a definite impact on society. "I don't think anyone has taken this book seriously," said Temple University sophomore Ken Reinholz. "I think that saying this book is going to encourage racists to take up the cause is like saying rock lyrics make teens commit suicide." According to Dwyer, the book also asserts that society's problems are at least partly caused by unintelligent blacks and poor whites. Halfway through the meeting, a heated debate occurred concerning these racial identities. "It's playing off of racial stereotypes that people have," said Dwyer. "This book makes racism, white supremacy and fascism seem okay." The audience also discussed the new political orientation of the U.S. Congress and the "vicious cycle" of poverty. "If society is supporting the kind of ideas the Bell Curve promotes, how do you create effective resistance?" asked School of Arts and Sciences graduate student Karen Schiff. The meeting closed with general comments about the book and the discussion itself. "[The book] takes a wider variety of man -- intelligence, culture and compassion for people -- and argues that a single ordinal number, IQ, measures it all," said Brian Siano, a free-lance writer. "On the basis of that, the book argues that people should be treated as potential commodities -- the worth of which is measured in their IQ."
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