Of all the paradoxical topics I’ve explored and written, this one I loathe the most. I am a passionate advocate for mental health, safeguarding the minds of children and the younger generations, including Gen Z.
In reference to my feature release, "Real Artists Survive AI", games that manipulate perceptions of intelligence and AI’s impact on creativity share a similar parallel: both risk redefining human value based on arbitrary metrics. Just as these games trick players into equating puzzle success with IQ, AI can create an illusion of mastery by mimicking creativity, making artists question their worth. But true intelligence, similar to true artistry, is rooted in depth, empathy,  intuition, emotional resonance, and insight—qualities these machines can't replicate. This serves as a reminder that, in a world shaped by AI, we artists must resist these distortions and focus on the unique human essence that sets us apart.
This puzzle game, which kept appearing in my math game app, is a prime Real Artists Survive AI example of paradoxical psychological manipulation that exploits peoples tendencies toward self-assessment and the desire for validation in a generation that's constantly seeking it. Based from my research and findings, let me break this paradox down objectively:
The Game’s Mechanism:
The game equates releasing more boards with a higher IQ. However, in my opinion, and what I've researched, IQ is a standardized measure of cognitive ability and problem-solving, which is independent of this specific task. The game is manipulating the perception of intelligence by redefining it within the context of the game.
The Illusion of Intelligence:
Players may start to associate their ability to solve the puzzle with their actual intellectual capacity—truthfully, I was feeling these effects. This can lead to an inflated or deflated sense of self-worth based on arbitrary mechanics, not on genuine intelligence metrics.
Bias Toward Gamers:
The game rewards those who excel at spatial reasoning, strategy, or persistence. This inadvertently biases the results against individuals who may excel in other areas of intelligence, such as verbal or emotional intelligence.
Gamification of Intelligence:
By framing success in the game as a reflection of IQ, it creates an addictive loop. Players want to "prove" their intelligence by achieving higher scores, which keeps them engaged.
Comparison and Validation:
The game may create a subtle peer pressure mechanism. Players who perform poorly may feel less intelligent, while those who succeed may feel superior, even though the task's relevance to real-world intelligence is minimal.
Cognitive Bias:
Players with limited success might either underestimate or overestimate their intelligence based on their performance, as the game lacks a real-world benchmark for what constitutes "high IQ." This is known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect.
Clear Signs of Bias and Manipulation
The game is inherently biased because it uses a narrow and arbitrary definition of intelligence. It disregards the multifaceted nature of human intelligence. Really? Then why, is this game using Einstein's emoticon picture? So, if you reach a high IQ, you're just as smart as Einstein?! The irony is, Albert Einstein never took a formal IQ test. The estimates of his IQ, often cited as around 160, are speculative and based on his achievements, problem-solving abilities, and intellectual contributions, particularly his development of the theory of relativity. These estimates are retrospective and should be taken with caution, as Einstein’s genius encompassed creativity, imagination, and a unique approach to problem-solving that go far beyond what IQ tests measure.
Anyhow, this game manipulates players' self-perception by attaching a significant psychological construct (IQ) to an unrelated task, creating a false sense of achievement or inadequacy.
Objective Conclusion:
The game is manipulative and biased, preying on players’ need for validation and self-assessment. The paradox lies in the fact that while the game offers a way to "measure" intelligence, the metric is entirely artificial and unrelated to actual cognitive abilities. It toys with the mind by using a universally respected concept (IQ) as bait to engage players, regardless of its lack of validity—all in the pursuit of profit.
Findings Worth Examining
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