Question on the polygenic score bit, triggered by the ancient Roman data.
Since PGS are made using modern samples and metrics and measurements, what is the possibility that an estimate of traits from ancient samples may be an underestimate of a trait simply due to a different combination of genes that are less common now contributing to a trait?
For example, we can take a modern PGS for IQ, but brains are complex and there is more than one way to acquire a trait (convergent evolution and the like). Could it be that there could be an undermeasurement of a trait simply due to missing a PGS for IQ that is normed using the ancient population, for whom we don't have direct test results, but might produce different PGS?
Or am I off, and evolution has not taken us far enough away from ancient people for this to be a possibility?
Not sure if you’ve covered this before, but am curious how malleable “WEIRDness” is and whether there are good estimates of WEIRD traits or behaviors from 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen immigrants to the west (or from the west to non-weird countries). I believe Heinrich had some estimates in his book but not sure if anyone has followed up or estimated these more precisely. In addition what the difference in WEIRDness is between low and high skilled immigrants (or even western pop generally). Overall something I and others are curious about and would like to see more data on.
Question on the polygenic score bit, triggered by the ancient Roman data.
Since PGS are made using modern samples and metrics and measurements, what is the possibility that an estimate of traits from ancient samples may be an underestimate of a trait simply due to a different combination of genes that are less common now contributing to a trait?
For example, we can take a modern PGS for IQ, but brains are complex and there is more than one way to acquire a trait (convergent evolution and the like). Could it be that there could be an undermeasurement of a trait simply due to missing a PGS for IQ that is normed using the ancient population, for whom we don't have direct test results, but might produce different PGS?
Or am I off, and evolution has not taken us far enough away from ancient people for this to be a possibility?
Reference: https://open.substack.com/pub/kirkegaard/p/fall-of-the-roman-empire-polygenic?r=rwtdv&utm_medium=ios
Thoughts on the carnivore diet?
Not sure if you’ve covered this before, but am curious how malleable “WEIRDness” is and whether there are good estimates of WEIRD traits or behaviors from 1st, 2nd, 3rd gen immigrants to the west (or from the west to non-weird countries). I believe Heinrich had some estimates in his book but not sure if anyone has followed up or estimated these more precisely. In addition what the difference in WEIRDness is between low and high skilled immigrants (or even western pop generally). Overall something I and others are curious about and would like to see more data on.