Q.E.D.

at least they’re pink.

check out this Norwegian study. the abstract reads:

Negative associations between birth order and intelligence level have been found in numerous studies. The explanation for this relation is not clear, and several hypotheses have been suggested. One family of hypotheses suggests that the relation is due to more-favorable family interaction and stimulation of low-birth-order children, whereas others claim that the effect is caused by prenatal gestational factors. We show that intelligence quotient (IQ) score levels among nearly 250,000 military conscripts were dependent on social rank in the family and not on birth order as such, providing support for a family interaction explanation.

so, ahem, the eldest sibling winds up with the highest IQ, and it might have something to do with older siblings teaching and explaining what they know to their younger siblings as they grow up together. you mean teaching others might somehow improve your own reasoning skills? christ, was this study conducted by the authors of Chicken Soup for the Teacher’s Soul?

actually, in honesty, I’m a fan of this theory. I’m a teacher, and the oldest kid in my family. double genius.

so, do you believe your family rank helped you develop your reasoning skills? or perhaps failed to do so, because your dog was the only family member lower than you on the totem pole and you never got him to hold the pencil correctly?