According to research released last week from psychometric consulting firm Aptiquant users of Internet Explorer tend to have lower IQ’s than users of other internet browsers. Or, as the authors of the study put it:
The study showed a substantial relationship between an individual’s cognitive ability and their choice of web browser. From the test results, it is a clear indication that individuals on the lower side of the IQ scale tend to resist a change/upgrade of their browsers.
Internet Explorer users were not amused and have threatened legal action to invalidate the results of the study. CEO Leonard Howard made the following statement apparently to try and calm the pitchfork wielding IE fans:
I just want to make it clear that the report released by my company did not suggest that if you use IE that means you have a low IQ, but what it really says is that if you have a low IQ then there are high chances that you use Internet Explorer.
He might as well have added “which you would understand if you weren’t so stupid you’re still using Internet Explorer,” given he is clearly looking to stoke the controversy and stay in the news.
Looking at the graph comparing the 2006 and 2011 results of the same study there was a time when Internet Explorer was considered an appropriate tool for near geniuses but now if you want to keep up with the Jones’s (or the Einsteins) you’ll need to switch to Camino or Opera.
Interestingly IE with Chrome Frame makes the top-3 on the list. This proves what is known as the “’92 Honda with $500 Rims” theory that any hunk of junk can be made to look cool if you slap enough extras on it.
You can read the full study here but you may want to upgrade your browser first.
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