--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It’s the bell curve again,” I said to…" description: "\"“It’s the bell curve again,” I said to Ishtar. “If—as Lazarus thinks, and statistics back him up—every migration comes primarily from the right-hand en..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/robert-heinlein-24334_long-run_it-s-the-bell-curve-again-i-said-to-isht_171754.jpg" --- # It’s the bell curve again,” I said to Ishtar. “If—as… ![“It’s the bell curve again,” I said to Ishtar. “If—as Lazarus thinks, and statistics back him up—every migration comes primarily from the right-hand end of the normal-incidence curve of human ability, then this acts as a sorting device whereby the new planet will show a bell curve with a much…” quote by Robert Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/robert-heinlein-24334_long-run_it-s-the-bell-curve-again-i-said-to-isht_171754.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/robert-heinlein-24334_long-run_it-s-the-bell-curve-again-i-said-to-isht_171754.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/549/robert-heinlein-24334_long-run_it-s-the-bell-curve-again-i-said-to-isht_171754.jpg) > ““It’s the bell curve again,” I said to Ishtar. “If—as Lazarus thinks, and statistics back him up—every migration comes primarily from the right-hand end of the normal-incidence curve of human ability, then this acts as a sorting device whereby the new planet will show a bell curve with a much higher intelligence norm than the population it came from…and the old planet will average almost imperceptibly stupider.” “Imperceptible except for one thing!” Lazarus objected. “That tiny fraction that hardly shows statistically is the brain. I recall a country that lost a key war by chasing out a mere half dozen geniuses. Most people can’t think, most of the remainder won’t think, the small fraction who do think mostly can’t do it very well. The extremely tiny fraction who think regularly, accurately, creatively, and without self-delusion - in the long run these are the only people who count and they are the very ones who migrate when it is physically possible to do so”” [Robert Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-heinlein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intelligence distribution shifts when high‑ability individuals migrate, leaving the origin population slightly less capable while the destination gains a higher average intellect. **In simple terms:** Smart people moving changes average intelligence of both places. Key Takeaway Recognize the impact of talent migration on societies. Themes migration intelligence societal change brain drain human potential Mood reflective analytical concerned Type philosophical observational critical When to use this quote - policy planning - educational reform - business strategy - community development Key Concepts human capital statistical distribution elite theory Questions to Reflect On - How does talent migration affect cultural evolution? - What policies can retain high‑impact innovators? A Different Perspective Only a tiny fraction of truly creative thinkers drive long‑term progress, and they are the ones most likely to relocate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [The Bell curve is a fact of life. 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