One of the key aspects of so-called "genius" IQs is the ability to self-reflect, or rather, think about thinking about things. Once you start thinking about thinking, you've reached a higher-order level of existence, where thoughts themselves become just as important to you as the real world.
Sub-100 IQs, or half the white population in the US, doesn't or can't do this. I used to believe that it could be learned, but lately I am not so convinced. Obviously, other races, even whites outside of the US, have lower average IQs and so the vast majority of their populations can't do this level of thinking. (It's well known that jew IQs are heavily inflated, along with Chinese IQs.)
The classic test of higher-order thinking is the simple hypothetical, represented with the subjunctive mood on verbs. "Suppose you didn't eat breakfast this morning. How would you feel right now?"
Those who engage in higher-order thinking have no problem considering hypotheticals like this, while those who don't will respond with something like "But I did eat breakfast" showing that they can't consider hypotheticals.
Higher-order thinking means you need to think about the thoughts you are thinking. Which thoughts are correct or good, and which ones aren't? What is the pattern to these types of thoughts, and how can you quickly identify them? Logic and reason are skills that are developed over time with careful thinking. Pattern recognition is key. Keeping a journal of previous thoughts and their conclusions, as well as observed results over time, and reflecting on your past thoughts is a valuable exercise. Be careful what you put on paper or the internet, however.
One of the most significant thoughts you must carry with you at all times, if you are able to do higher-order thinking, is that lower IQ humans do NOT do higher-order thinking, and you can't expect them to. Nor do generally smart people think well in all situations at all time. People tend to assume that other people are similar to them, but this is not a valid assumption. You must approach other humans with the understanding that you are possibly encountering a wild animal who survives by instinct alone, and behave accordingly, until it can be shown otherwise.
There is great power in higher-order thinking, done right. If you're able to do it, you have a moral duty to hone this ability.
That is arguable. I'd argue the ability to self-reflect is more in the category of wisdom, which is disconnected from intelligence. The ability to apply common sense, to self-reflect, to not rationalize nonsense, to detect bad actors and sophistry, to not get swayed away by the illusion of authority, to process experience well.
While yes, intelligence does help in these areas, but there are smart people who are idiots peddling sophistry, and there are low-average intelligence people who are wise. Clearly there is *something* that is unrelated to intelligence itself.
> think about thinking
That is true. A common thought for me is to assess *how* people can know something, or how the flow of information does affect people's thinking, or why people are thinking what they are thinking, or why they are asking certain questions. If I'd be in an interview and they'd ask me what my biggest weakness is, I'd talk about how that question is a bad question as it forces interviewees to give "nice" answers, which are typically learned. I'd list them possible nice and bad answers, and the effect of playing along vs not doing so (as I would). I'd turn the question around and ask them why they believe that question is good.
> where thoughts themselves become just as important to you as the real world.
Well, thoughts are still just intangible things. But ideas do shape the behavior of people. And btw boredom is that more gruesome.
> I used to believe that it could be learned
It's genetic. A persons intelligence remains relatively stable throughout his life, and also stable relative to his same-aged peers. Even Wikipedia has admitted that intelligence is 80%+ inherited, implying genetic. Note that the variance comes from external factors like domestic abuse, incest and severe malnourishment. In shitholes, these are more common, in White countries less. So clearly in shitholes it's a bigger relative factor while over here it's negligible.
Domestic abuse for example conditions an individual to be more aggressive and violent at the cost of intelligence and mental stability.
> "Suppose you didn't eat breakfast this morning. How would you feel right now?"
These are just simple tests. But there are many more. Also you can perceive the intelligence of a person you are conversing with, or even just by sight. A photo is often not enough. I occasionally do that. My assumption is that this ability is common (people recognize idiots all the time), but that assessing intelligence **that way** has an upper cap, which is one's own.
> is that lower IQ humans do NOT do higher-order thinking, and you can't expect them to.
The point is that people generally are never confronted with those. In general people of similar intelligence flock together in relationships and work places. They even live together. When the housing prices in an area are high, it means it requires a lot of income to live there. Which generally requires a higher intelligence to have a higher income.
> Nor do generally smart people think well in all situations at all time.
Emotions are still a significant factor. For example bravery, fear, pride/dignity, interests, discipline all play a role. Even if you know that doing X is bad, you may still do it.
> You must approach other humans with the understanding that you are possibly encountering a wild animal who survives by instinct alone
In addition to my ability to assess the intelligence of people, I am also a massive racist. I mean MASSIVE, figuratively. If I see a shitskin, I assume what you said, and it's sufficient skepticism. Otherwise (with Whites and Orientals) I don't have to expect getting mauled at all.
> you have a moral duty to hone this ability.
I think the actual moral duty is to inform and teach your people what you know, to spread knowledge, to immunize them from sophistry. While for you it might have taken less time to accrue all the knowledge, for them it means they have to commit to numerous mistakes until they finally realize they were wrong.
It reminds me of 4chan stories: Girlfriend wants "open relationship", new experiences, doesn't want to settle - fucks around, returns, gets dumped. Why does she have to sabotage herself and the guy? Because of a lack of knowledge, wisdom and/or intelligence.