A Lack of Intelligence, Not Training, May Be Why People Struggle with Computers

scitechdaily.com

8 points·mikequinlan··5 comments

This is the actual study:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S107158192...

"Researchers say that a person’s intelligence plays a bigger role in their computer proficiency than previously believed, so much so that practice alone may not be enough to ensure ease of use."

I've always considered it more a "willingness to learn / problem solve" rather than intelligence, although I suppose the two may be correlated.

Most people I've seen who can't handle technology give up at the first sign of unfamiliarity.

I quite deliberately define intelligence as “to mitigate uncertainty”, for if it does not mitigate uncertainty it is not intelligent.

The delusional popular view is that there is one device that is “intelligence” and it works every time, is never wrong, and gives instantaneously pleasing results.

Intelligence is every case by case, and the most adept may always be misinformed, under informed, or deceived, no matter what extreme or capacity of intelligence one measures.

Naturally those who solve problems for themselves are more proficient with technology, as its magic is to be an extension of our will. How can one accomplish anything where the will is lacking.

Skills vary between individuals, however 40-50 percent is explained by a single factor, general intelligence:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_factor_(psychometrics)

Reply on news.ycombinator.com