> having the right genes may be necessary, but the right genes alone are not sufficient.
Right, which is why the intelligence:height comparison exists at all. It is, to the best of our understanding, that the right genes are required to become eight feet tall, so to speak, but that you also need to right environment to actually get there. "8-foot genes" alone does not guarantee you will become eight feet tall, and that's what the height comparison tells.
> And how is the maximum potential determined?
I'm not sure that it is, nor does it need to be for any practical purpose.
> "Feynman has these genes and was a genius. If you have these genes you should be a genius too." We both know genetics and intelligence do not work like this.
Hence why the height comparison has been made. It is an example where environmental factors are generally accepted, and easily observed (you don't need any special tools to recognize when someone is tall) within accepted conditions.
> We can assume this, but we cannot possibly confirm this.
Well, then the assumption is good enough, isn't it? It is just a communication device anyway. It doesn't even actually have to be true so long as it effectively communicates the idea, and based on what you are saying I'm certain it does as you are echoing what it says exactly.
Right, which is why the intelligence:height comparison exists at all. It is, to the best of our understanding, that the right genes are required to become eight feet tall, so to speak, but that you also need to right environment to actually get there. "8-foot genes" alone does not guarantee you will become eight feet tall, and that's what the height comparison tells.
> And how is the maximum potential determined?
I'm not sure that it is, nor does it need to be for any practical purpose.
> "Feynman has these genes and was a genius. If you have these genes you should be a genius too." We both know genetics and intelligence do not work like this.
Hence why the height comparison has been made. It is an example where environmental factors are generally accepted, and easily observed (you don't need any special tools to recognize when someone is tall) within accepted conditions.
> We can assume this, but we cannot possibly confirm this.
Well, then the assumption is good enough, isn't it? It is just a communication device anyway. It doesn't even actually have to be true so long as it effectively communicates the idea, and based on what you are saying I'm certain it does as you are echoing what it says exactly.