> Lets take a straw poll, how many people in the group
> were "outsiders" as children, e.g. played mostly alone,
> had only a few friends, or were generally rejected by
> the social cliques that educational system produces?
Count me in, or rather out, or ... oh, nevermind--I'm going to go somewhere and read.
As far as the general debate about twin studies is concerned, I note that although we get good numbers out the twin studies and can draw useful conclusions and rational actions from them, they still don't reflect "genes" vs. "environment" much to the extent that the conditions of the womb are environmental, and have been shown to have significant effects of development (for example the recent link found between maternal hypothyroidism and low IQ). I am not aware of any studies on identical twins /gestated/ as well as /raised/ apart. (Yes, I am aware that many studies are controlled to some extent for maternal nutrition and other factors to make them better reflect genetic difference--but these controls are still just guesses).
My personal experience is that I cannot attribute any of what I call my "intelligence" to education; every moment of the 14 years I spent in school was a waste of time for me. I cannot attribute all of it to genetics though either: my parents are remarkable and I do credit them for a great genetic heritage (except possibly for my father's baldness), but I think the greatest influence on my developing mind was my older sister, with whom I I played and competed.
-- Lee Daniel Crocker <lee@piclab.com> <http://www.piclab.com/lcrocker.html> "All inventions or works of authorship original to me, herein and past, are placed irrevocably in the public domain, and may be used or modified for any purpose, without permission, attribution, or notification."--LDC