If one has high IQ, but much of the time is spent on menial labor...?

Question

...what becomes of that high potential? The question is this: is high IQ "maintained"?

Answer 1

The menial labor you refer to isn't necessarily repetitive. A truly intelligent person finds ways to improve and adapt, using every experience to advantage.

Answer 2

You can keep the high IQ by figuring out ways to do that menial job faster and better. Also, while people perform these jobs, they often have their minds on other subjects. It's easy to think about other things while doing work that is repetitive and not mentally challenging.

Answer 3

Yes, IQ is maintained. And there is nothing wrong in menial labor. All work is noble.

Answer 4

Yes, in theory. It also depends on what type of intelligence one is talking about (I assume by IQ you mean general intelligence).

"Fluid" intelligence is your ability to learn and solve problems. That shouldn't change.

"Crystallized" intelligence is what your have learned (i.e. the number of facts that you know and are able to use in day to day life. For example, the structure of an atom). If you are not learning new things or in a challenging career, you will have a lower crystallized intelligence level.