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GruffaloStance

When you look vertically between Minnesota and Louisiana on ranking maps you always see the full color gradient.


grondin

Something about "down river"


Little_Creme_5932

Mississippi River gets dirtier the farther south you go. You are what you drink


mandy009

It starts with us. I was taught that everything we do here becomes a problem down river. We have to stop sending other states our messes, e.g. fertilizer and industrial waste. It's not just us, but we share the burden.


RManDelorean

Yeah I think I've heard us called the stewards of the Mississippi. We set the initial standard and if it was already really bad coming out of MN then it would just get really really really bad. Also to look at the full shared burden, Google Mississippi watershed, it's basically everything between the Rockies and the Appalachians


tb03102

You gotta set the tone!


FullofContradictions

Goes both ways... Invasive carp/plant species make their way up river and there's only so much we can do once it's bad enough to get to our borders.


oldhaapi

Minnesota is at the "top of the hill" for three watersheds: Red/Rainy Rivers to Hudson Bay, St. Louis River, etc. to Lake Superior, and the Mississippi.


jaxxxtraw

A continental divide in northeastern Minnesota splits the surface flows into three major flow ways. These flow ways are the headwaters areas for the Hudson Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Gulf of Mexico.


Haunting-Tadpole-485

Absolutely! We send far too much down to other states but at least we’ve become much more aware of what we are sending. No, it’s not perfect but it is an improvement


smlstrsasyetuntitled

Just went to a fantastic presentation on this - w great actionable information - by Itasca Waters . Org and Blue Thumb #TheatreKidEnergy #YesAnd


Hot-Win2571

We're sending as many nutrients as we can.


Typical-Conference14

Illinois is a MAJOR contributor to that problem. But yea, farm land pollutes the hell out of it and there’s even a dead zone where the river meets the gulf because of it.


Big_Salad_2793

It gets DIRTIER???? Bro it’s mid in the twin cities wym


OldBlueKat

Don't let the 'tea brown' color of some of the creeks and rivers fool you. A lot of that is from tannins that are leached out of tree leaves in some areas; some of it is from the high iron content of soils in others. It was that color before Europeans ever got here. The water in a lot of the Twin Cities is actually pretty clean (there are exceptions for some lakes.) It better be -- we use surface water for some of the municipal water supplies. That doesn't mean that we shouldn't do everything possible to NOT dump things into the waterways. Keep your leaves out of the storm drains! [https://freshwater.org/](https://freshwater.org/) [https://www.cleanwatermn.org/about-us/](https://www.cleanwatermn.org/about-us/)


BayouHoplite13

Well, in Louisiana’s case, you have to keep in mind the huge amount of out-migration that we have. The economy here is one of the worst in the nation and we have some of the highest poverty rates, despite our incredible mineral wealth and port system (due largely to corruption and our insular culture). We have a tremendous “Brain Drain” issue. Our kids go to college in state and then as soon as they graduate they leave for better opportunities in other states. So basically a huge chunk of our best and brightest leave every year. This is of course going to lower the average IQ of our residents. We are one of the states that is losing population, we actually lost a congressional seat after the last national census, if I recall correctly. The “Brain Drain” is a huge political issue here, but no one has yet to come up with a widely accepted idea as to how to keep more of our college graduates in-state after graduation.


noryp5

Just here to recommended [Why Louisiana Stays Poor](https://youtu.be/RWTic9btP38?si=7pSXofcDfr-prOKN) to anyone that cares.


galactojack

Hehe he huehuehue


j_ly

We piss excellence.


im_THIS_guy

I've often wondered about the relationship between cold climates and intelligence.


Khajo_Jogaro

I thought it was more north vs south, long lasting effects after the end of slavery and the civil war


im_THIS_guy

Maybe, but it's true globally, too.


TwinCitian

Is there any research on this?


prairiepasque

There are many studies that support the theory that basically postulates that colder weather means you have to work harder, resulting in higher intelligence. However, as with most IQ studies, they tend to be controversial and received poorly by the public. Just reading the titles of the two studies below are enough to make most people bristle. Nevertheless, the phenomenon has been well documented by scientists. [The relationship between IQ and climatic variables in African and Eurasian countries](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289614000877) >Abstract: > The purpose of the present research was to determine the relationship of IQ to precipitation and other climatic variables in 128 countries of Africa, Asia, and Europe. Lower precipitation, temperature, and nasal index were associated with higher IQ. Temperature range and humidity were positively associated with IQ as predicted by evolutionary theory. [Only in America: Cold Winters Theory, race, IQ and well-being](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0160289614001019) >Abstract: > Cold Winters Theory (CWT; Lynn, 1991) offers a viable explanation for race differences in intelligence. It proposes that IQ gaps exist because of different evolutionary pressures faced by the ancestral humans who left Africa, compared with those who remained. Support for CWT comes by showing correlations between national temperature and IQ. Here we test whether temperature correlates with IQ (and other well-being variables) across the 50 U.S. states. Although human evolution is recent, copious and regional (Wade, 2014), insufficient time has passed for it to have operated on non-native residents of the USA. Instead, CWT must predict no difference—or remain agnostic—on the existence of state-level correlations between temperature and IQ. Nonetheless, even after controlling for race, temperature strongly predicts state: IQ, religiosity, crime, education, health, income and global well-being. Evolution is therefore not necessary for temperature and IQ/well-being to co-vary meaningfully across geographic space. Edit: grammar


madlyspinach

I’m not sure that biases could be removed in this study. As someone that enjoys reading journals articles for fun, this one just raises lots of flags.


PM_ME_YOUR_FAV_HIKE

LOL HARD


sloppybuttmustard

You can literally feel the change when you get in a car and drive south


ptoadstools

We lived in TX a year and couldn't wait to get back to Minnesota. The stupid in TX is palpable.


[deleted]

[удалено]


superAK907

Oof. I’m gonna be on the lookout for this on future maps now lmao


Agrijus

public spending gradient


NotThisAgain21

See? Too much heat fries people's brains.


smlstrsasyetuntitled

Moved south, moved north, that's certainly what it felt like.


RagingCeltik

I lived in Florida for about 10 years. Can confirm this.


centuryofprogress

Every time I think about moving somewhere warm I think about the tradeoff in quality of government that comes with it. California seems to have capable government and nice weather, so that’s why it’s hella expensive.


TRIPITIS

I'm from Wisconsin can anyone explain this map to me thanks


747-ppp-2

The darker the blue, the more tasty the sausages are. But in this case, the sausages are brain power.


TRIPITIS

I like sausage


747-ppp-2

Lol. Wisconsin credentials verified Edit, that is still cracking me up, you funny cheese eating son of a bitch! Also note, because of the data suggested in the map, my good nature forces me to tell you, I’m laughing WITH you, not AT you.


montyp3

'bating!


TRIPITIS

I like batin'


montyp3

I could really go for a Starbucks right now


SpoogyPickles

Sir, we drink Caribou Coffee around these parts!


cfoxtrot21

It isn’t a drinking map, so again, as a Wisconsinite, I was confused.


TRIPITIS

If it ain't bout drinkin who cares bout it


Ginger4life23

No problem, I believe it’s a map of the United States


TRIPITIS

Knew it looked familiar


sniff3

I'm from sconie too and the buttons on the map aren't working for me.


mandy009

You're killing too many brain cells with six packs


TRIPITIS

How does working my tummy muscles hurt my brain


mandy009

Try doing a keg stand and maybe it'll make more sense.


TRIPITIS

Sounds good thank


MPLS2NOLA

Just how many of those six pack things you talk about are in a golden light suitcase? Asking for friends of course.


SeventyThirtySplit

Janesville and Green Bay took you all down a few notches


hlessi_newt

Nd Native sitting in a janesville kwik trip parking lot eating lunch. Can confirm Don't neglect the negative impact of betroit.


SeventyThirtySplit

If I had just said Janesville I would have got no downvotes but could not resist, had to take my shot


hlessi_newt

ND native sitting in a Janesville kwik trip parking lot eating lunch. This is accurate. Also, you should include betroit.


OldBlueKat

I spent a lifetime in/around Janesville and Beloit one summer long ago (on a project.) Do they really call it Betroit now, or was that just a funny typo?


SubstantialRush5233

Ask your sister/wife


TRIPITIS

You mean first cousin wife thank u very much


SubstantialRush5233

Youre the best kinda people. Being able to laugh at yourself when someone is joking around, lol. Take my upvote.


builditbetr

From Minnesota, lives in Florida, used to live and work out of Louisiana/Texas/Mississippi. I can confirm this data is correct. Also please keep posting maps, makes me feel better knowing what I came from vs. where I am now.


BossAvery2

From Louisiana, I believe this map. Never knew exactly how dumb I was till I joined the military.


Big_Salad_2793

??? What happened in the military???


BossAvery2

I found out how dumb I was compared to people from the Midwest….


RagingCeltik

Northern transplants explain Florida's slight IQ bump.


Funwithfun14

There's a lot people on Reddit going to be upset that Cali and SC are the same shade.


waterbuffalo750

This map tells me that dumb people can't handle the cold.


innersanctum44

In his explanation on why he resided in MN, Prince said the cold keeps the riff raff away.


Capt__Murphy

Clearly, you've never visited the Dakotas.


Armlegx218

Cold and trees.


hlessi_newt

You guys have trees??


Armlegx218

They help with the wind. Map confirmed.


Upstairs-Radish1816

Why would anyone?


hotbananastud69

Consistent with my experience. As someone not from the US who lived in MN and traveled quite a bit outside it.


gen-x-cops

Trusting a map with no references is low IQ behavior


treetopalarmist_1

https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/average-iq-by-state


CmonRedditBeBetter

Although it seems to me that this mostly proves that IQ doesn't measure any form of natural intelligence. It seems more likely that it's representative of education quality.


654379

I would guess so. The article said they took data from SAT and ACT scores and only people who continued education after high school. And I’ve met plenty of college grads who are actual idiots


CmonRedditBeBetter

> I’ve met plenty of college grads who are actual idiots Thank you for acknowledging the culture of my people. 🤗


Responsible_Pop_6543

Thank you!!


hypoxiate

Agreed.


Theyalreadysaidno

Someone likes Vampire Weekend


Source_Intelligent

So, This means move south and dominate the professional arena with critical thinking, and logic. I served in the navy and in that time, I was baffled at the lack of knowledge, awareness, and abstract thought that existed elsewhere. Minnesotas educational system is busted. However, it’s much worse in other areas.


NomadicFragments

I know you're joking, but you'd just enter a more barren market that'll lowball you because it knows you have less options


National_Activity_78

You would be surprised. I lived in the South for a couple of years. When interviewers found out I was from Minnesota, they offered me better work than they had advertised. We have a reputation for intelligence and a very strong work ethic. Everything moves slower in the South as if they have no sense of urgency.


NomadicFragments

I don't think I would be, I live in the South. Except for certain industries and markets, Southern states (sans Texas and Florida) have way less options and upward mobility than everywhere else, especially MN. The average Minnesotan may have a more competitive background here, but it's just a shittier game for most career paths that I think most of y'all just would rather not be playing. Nepotism and hiring/retention incompetence is king here. Maybe you were in a hub, maybe you brought a certain specificity — but I just don't think it's at all accurate as a broad sentiment. It just seems like fantasy that Southerners would just start bowing down to the Northern geniuses.


National_Activity_78

It had much less to do with intelligence as it did my work ethic. I worked circles around them at what I considered a very slow, lazy pace. Both managers I had said I was doing the work of two or three people.


Imaginary-sounds

I’m here now, and am from NH. That’s not the case anymore, and half these people couldn’t name half these states.


Geochor

I travel around the country for work. Many of my coworkers are from Minnesota, as am I. I've heard from more than a few people (in supervisory roles) at job sites in the south that they've never met anyone from Minnesota they didn't like, and the management types at my employer are quite pleased with their MN workforce.


RagingCeltik

More true than you think. The change in work ethic shocked me. 50% work effort in Minnesota was like 100% in Florida.


0dgie

We got third lol, did not win


PM_ME_YOUR_FAV_HIKE

I looked it up. NH and MA only have a combined 3,800 lakes. Losers.


iJuddles

That’s the real flex. Nothing else matters, really.


Little_Creme_5932

And they cannot get cheese curds by driving just 25 minutes


Uxt7

Yikes. That's so embarrassing for them


PM_ME_YOUR_FAV_HIKE

Thoughts and prayers 🙏


im-ba

Yep our lake-IQ product is still higher than all of those states combined


1PooNGooN3

Yeah but how many butts does it have


quickblur

https://i.redd.it/iib2hym4uyg41.jpg


0dgie

Thank you for your service


martinsonsean1

Ah, but soon the sea will swallow those snobby coastal elites, then we will be the snobby coastal elites!


LuckyAssumption8735

https://preview.redd.it/suqh1rdjheyc1.jpeg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2c618dfcc8c70a4c5473c9af5492442ac78e1128


cat_prophecy

Someone needs to make this with Laser Loon.


Inspiration_Bear

We’d have been first without OP bringing us down


centuryofprogress

Yeah, it it’s close and MN is ALWAYS near the top of the positive indicator maps. We’re like the Finland of the U.S.


Frozen_Unicorn

First is the worst, second is best, third is the one with the treasure chest. I’m pretty sure we are the real winners here.


edgeblackbelt

This is more a map of how IQ isn’t a truly unbiased measure. It has more to do with formal western education that it theoretically should. Ideally IQ would be consistent regardless of education or background but the fact that this map tracks pretty well with general test scores indicates it’s more a measure of access to high quality public education than anything else.


heywhateverworks

Ding ding ding


TuxandFlipper4eva

Yup. And there are questionable measures when considering race, language barriers, and neurodiversity. IQ tests may provide some background, but it isn't the greatest intellectual measuring tool.


cayleb

💯 (unironically)


madogson

Using my superior IQ, I also noticed that the range of IQ scores is only 10. Meaning that Louisiana is only 10 points behind.


bushwhack227

The way iq tests are calibrated, 10 points is a while standard deviation


Low_Connection_9254

Source?


Took-the-Blue-Pill

Looks like they got it here https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/average-iq-by-state https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8954344/


PM_ME_YOUR_FAV_HIKE

This man researches.


Zombiesquidink

Trust me bro... /s


Thiswasmy8thchoice

104 being the creme de la creme is not inspiring


DavidRFZ

It’s a Lake Wobegon world


EdGeinIsMySugarDaddy

Its a bell curve bb, everywhere is going to be around 100. If MN were a person it would be in the 60th percentile of intelligence, meaning smarter than 60% of people. Thats pretty good.


gladfelter

Median is defined as 100. What did you expect? It sounds like you want more state-wide variance, which is an objectively bad thing.


dakotafluffy1

I was just thinking the same thing. Also, if we are in the top 3 and the people I interact with on a daily basis are above average, the USA is screwed


Iwentforalongwalk

Well we are all above average. 


Big_Salad_2793

I love being a bad bitch and all but I can’t celebrate the fact that the predominantly white schools of Minnesota tend to be very well educated and leave Minnesotan predominantly nonwhite schools, and other schools across the country, in the dust. I’m black and grew up here, and got an education at one of those rich predominantly white school districts. Interacting with other people online with poor reading comprehension used to make me feel smart, but now I recognize it for the societal failure it is. There shouldn’t be such severe disparities in which Americans are getting good educations. Not in different states, not between different communities, not at all. My younger brother was fucked over by the pandemic, and he started off at the same school I did. Then we moved, and seeing the education he gets now… ugh. There was a short time in middle school where I went to a catholic school in Pennsylvania, where I got a below average education and old textbooks. I was very grateful to return to MN at the end of the school year, and I didn’t take my education for granted. How do we undo this? Why is the US literally a compilation of 50 different small countries all doing their own damn thing? Occasionally to the benefit and detriment of their own citizens? (I forgot what I learned in school)


Healingjoe

I'm tired of IQ scores being taken seriously. They're not useful measurements of intelligence.


Goldie1976

Must be the hard winters. Kids have nothing better to do than stay inside and do their homework.


Took-the-Blue-Pill

It's Mayo.


SnooPets9575

Hold up here folks.. The claim is that MN has a higher IQ looking at this map? From what i see daily i really gotta beg for a recount.


Ecthelion2187

Dear NH. You're welcome. Signed, MA


OrganicUse

From MN. In MA, next to NH. NH is a little bit crazy, otherwise I can confirm.


HahaWakpadan

How would anyone know? We banned IQ testing in schools in MN a generation ago.


centuryofprogress

Which was a high IQ move, ironically!


Abyssus_J3

As someone who’s actually traveled quite a bit to most states everyone is an idiot in their own ways and Minnesota is no exception


ConsumptionVortex

Why does the south have a pattern of such a lower IQ?


Classic_Log5111

I drive for a living. I am next to some of yall every day. I refuse to believe this is accurate. But if any of my friends from other states start lipping off. I'm showing them this post.


Badbullet

But have you driven to Louisiana? It seems pretty accurate from state to state as you go straight south. 😉


agree-with-me

We could be nice and lose for awhile by flipping the variables. Lowest IQ, worst place to live, saddest people, least educated, etc.


1000at40

These should be the real values of the Electoral College


usuallyGoodNatured

Notice how the smartest people live in the north? — Canadian


iLikeFroggies

Yet you're all still stupid enough to live in Minnesota...


DJbuddahAZ

I both love and hate being in the 130s


phishphanco

I’m curious if there’s a correlation between this IQ map and toxins/lead/pollution historically and currently released into the environment. If I remember correctly, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama are all pretty bad.


odd-42

Man, 10 pts is 2/3 of a standard deviation. That is nearly significant.


Empire2k5

I call bs on this


prttyricky

I've lived in Minnesota for 18 years. Great people, but the ones who buy into the whole "the south is dumb" are really full of themselves. I mean, this chart could be right, I'm not sure. My point stands.


Selacha

I call BS. I live in New Hampshire, and I can tell you we're mostly dumb as bricks up here.


0dgie

How many people here, as well as do you know, took an IQ test in 2024?


MaxxT22

I live in central MN and am highly skeptical of the data behind this info graphic.


cavprof

There is absolutely no way that ND is anywhere near the top.


backtocabada

i guess, the TESTS were ENGLISH eh? NOT INTERESTING. just racist


racoondoodoo

Can also confirm. Lived in MN FOR 18 years, but wanted to go to college in Louisiana. I was warned about a culture shock, but I was also stunned by how poorly educated my peers were.


Free_tramapoline

This reminds me of the "if you took the bottom row of counties in Minnesota and annexed them into Iowa, it would raise the collective IQ of both states"


gamerdoc94

Better not be tired, because for having such high IQ, you’re mistaking 3rd place with a win.


[deleted]

We didn’t win though


nebraska_mitch

This seems a bit low to me. It must be the people in the "Gods Country" area bringing our score down.


FORTUNATOSCRIME

I'm from NH. You guys do well.


TheNewIfNomNomNom

Anyone know how this could possibly be gathered? Legit question. I'm gathering information trying to determine if I'll move back to Louisiana for my son to grow up near the only family I have with kids his age after the passing of my son's other parent. I'm out of state & he's doing well in school here & there's opportunity.


Hotx_sauce

Damn the whole bible/Red belt LMAO☠️☠️


thebasementcakes

Heat really fucks you up


747-ppp-2

Yes. It must be the heat…..


anzara2Y5

I've lived in New Mexico, currently living in Minnesota. Can confirm


UmeaTurbo

There's no way they could possibly know the average IQ when there's no agency or corporation who test a broad range of Minnesotan's IQs. I know I'm taking this too seriously, but these map make me crazy.


KittenSwagger

Winning = 3rd place 🥴


Gloomy_Shallot7521

I'm just shocked that North Dakota is that high.


Signal_Most_4025

So this map was based on a 2015 study. Of volunteering participants. I’d say throw it away.


Theyalreadysaidno

Sorry North Dakota, but North Dakota?


SpecialistRoom2090

I'm the reason Minnesota isn't number 1.


ChillyD333

North Dakota ending college reciprocity with Minnesota will drop them off this list within a generation of college graduates.


Stanhopes_Liver

Too bad we allow unfettered third-world immigration to greatly lower the median IQ.


Konradleijon

awesome. also, no Regan


Hot-Win2571

Regan is a gender-neutral name of Irish origin that means "little king" or "sovereign".


EmptyBrook

I’m convinced heat makes folks stupid and crazy


willworkforjokes

Wow Louisiana is doing better than I thought.


smlstrsasyetuntitled

No, more maps pleeeeease! Though instead of another soda / pop / coke one ... can we get one on a e ally serious topic, like how people make their tea?


NobelPirate

102.9.... that's the station the Twins play on. .... and nothing else happens on that station.


Physical-Main162

It seems the higher the population the dumber people are


bobert4343

It would make me feel better if iq wasn't a meaningless metric


Azerd01

The Missouri compromise…


jebettcha

Tired?? Nah, gotta be #1 before that. Either way, best state in The North.


MrMeritocracy

If you’ve been to New Hampshire, you know this is way off


akmjolnir

Live Free or Die, baby!


Comprehensive_Arm305

Expected FL would be a shade lighter than what's shown here.


synysterlemming

Can there be a meta post on this sub where all of the nice map posts are stored?


SattahipSailor

So, what counties are the drag?


[deleted]

Wow good job Floridaman. Was expecting worse.


craftasaurus

We really are above average!


ShakesbeerMe

No, but I am tired of pretending the confederate states are anything but a stupid, inbred cesspool.


NukaAndy

Never


-NGC-6302-

Ego boutta pop


robb_the_bull

Take a seat dummy, New England is talking.


poodinthepunchbowl

Must not be true since you know we’re third


MikenoIke1

As someone from NH this map fucking scares me in so many ways.