Appraisal Institute Controversy Part 2

[Mejappz]

Just the good ol boys never meaning no harm.

 

[Non Sequitur]

What was sold to a for-profit competitor?

Like AI ready to FNC?

Anyway, there's lies, damn lies, and appraisal institute lies. I highly doubt Dr. Chance did anything to warrant her removal.

 

[CGinMN]

 

[RCA]

According to the complaint, this is why she was fired. If she embezzled $1M, why wouldn't they go to the police? What was sold to a for-profit competitor?

View attachment 99725

Honestly, the whole appraisal system is pretty much corrupt. It is FOUNDED on corruption, despite the sick rhetoric from USPAP about "ethics". You can't really enforce ethics, unless the facts are supported by unequivocal evidence. You need standards that go far beyond ethics. The messages bandied about by corrupt leaders are often extremely subtle, mostly a hint of negative repercussions - if you, the clearly subservient player, the one without the cards, do not play along with the manager's advice, the established status quo, regardless of conflicts with standards and guidelines. --> They have no problem letting go of subordinates because this is not a profession of questioning the status quo, suggesting better ways, or doing things as you see fit - all of which presumes competence - which is rare in this industry.

You can't argue against the profession, as it is at heart, to the core, more incompetent than competent, more corrupt than ethical. And most of all entrenched in the same methodology as of 30+ years ago.

 

[Gobears81]

According to the complaint, this is why she was fired. If she embezzled $1M, why wouldn't they go to the police? What was sold to a for-profit competitor?

View attachment 99725

I'm probably giving AI the benefit of the doubt more than most, but there were a couple of times when reading that lawsuit that the assertions didn't pass the smell test and usually when something like the above is said, there is at least a shred of truth, even if distorted.

Either way, AI dues have gone up quite a bit over the past few years (like everything else) and I can't help but wonder how much is being paid to lawyers or to settle lawsuits...or maybe getting embezzled?

 

[glenn walker]

I'm giving the boy's a pass. she certainly is a disgruntled employee and slapping her 59 year old azz is kinda funny.

But what PHD and a women at that even gets involved with these old fools. No doubt she's got some weird things going on and just doing a good old fashioned shake down.

 

[Mejappz]

Honestly, the whole appraisal system is pretty much corrupt. It is FOUNDED on corruption, despite the sick rhetoric from USPAP about "ethics". You can't really enforce ethics, unless the facts are supported by unequivocal evidence. You need standards that go far beyond ethics. The messages bandied about by corrupt leaders are often extremely subtle, mostly a hint of negative repercussions - if you, the clearly subservient player, the one without the cards, do not play along with the manager's advice, the established status quo, regardless of conflicts with standards and guidelines. --> They have no problem letting go of subordinates because this is not a profession of questioning the status quo, suggesting better ways, or doing things as you see fit - all of which presumes competence - which is rare in this industry.

You can't argue against the profession, as it is at heart, to the core, more incompetent than competent, more corrupt than ethical. And most of all entrenched in the same methodology as of 30+ years ago.

You're not alone in that view. The appraisal industry, while outwardly framed around "ethics" and "standards," often operates in ways that contradict those ideals—especially when pressure from AMCs, lenders, or institutional players undermines the integrity of the process. The enforcement of USPAP is a joke, and “ethics” becomes meaningless when the power structure incentivizes compliance over competence and values low-cost conformity over professional judgment. Many appraisers who try to bring innovation, ask hard questions, or challenge systemic inefficiencies often find themselves marginalized or punished. The methodology may claim to evolve, but in practice, it's still stuck in a decades-old mindset that resists meaningful change. It's the good ol' boys still in charge.

 

[RCA]

You're not alone in that view. The appraisal industry, while outwardly framed around "ethics" and "standards," often operates in ways that contradict those ideals—especially when pressure from AMCs, lenders, or institutional players undermines the integrity of the process. The enforcement of USPAP is a joke, and “ethics” becomes meaningless when the power structure incentivizes compliance over competence and values low-cost conformity over professional judgment. Many appraisers who try to bring innovation, ask hard questions, or challenge systemic inefficiencies often find themselves marginalized or punished. The methodology may claim to evolve, but in practice, it's still stuck in a decades-old mindset that resists meaningful change. It's the good ol' boys still in charge.

We see many designated appraisers with designations, who in fact received a good education, with Masters and Doctor degrees from top schools, who are really not very bright in their later years simply because they have skidded along on the degrees for most of their life. In appraisal, where you would expect a pretty good mastery of mathematics, we see many appraisers with degrees in English and Philosophy and other disciplines where advanced math is not required, to begin with.

Now we are entering an era where knowledge of some fairly advanced statistical and programming skills is called for. For some appraisers not used to dealing with programming and advanced statistics, a necessary mental transition to competence in these newer areas can be very difficult, if not impossible. Let's ask ChatGPT what it thinks...


Me: Do smart people loose some of their ability to think logically and critcally if they don't keep themselves mentally active as they get older?

ChatGPT: Yes, Bert, even individuals of high intelligence can experience declines in logical and critical thinking abilities if they do not remain mentally active as they age. This decline is influenced by several interrelated biological, psychological, and environmental factors.
1. Cognitive Aging and Mental Inactivity
Aging naturally affects certain cognitive faculties—particularly processing speed, working memory, and executive function, which are all crucial for reasoning and critical thought. While crystallized intelligence (accumulated knowledge and vocabulary) tends to remain stable or even improve, fluid intelligence (problem-solving and logical reasoning) tends to decline, especially in the absence of mental stimulation.
Inactivity—whether intellectual, social, or physical—can accelerate this decline, leading to diminished:

• Mental flexibility (ability to consider multiple solutions)
• Selective attention and focus
• Abstract reasoning
• Ability to detect bias or fallacies

2. Neuroplasticity and "Use It or Lose It"
The brain retains a degree of neuroplasticity well into old age, but this adaptability diminishes without challenge. Engaging in complex tasks—such as learning new skills, analyzing arguments, or engaging in debates—stimulates the prefrontal cortex and helps preserve reasoning capacity.
3. Confirmation Bias and Intellectual Rigidity
Without continual challenge, even highly intelligent people may become more prone to confirmation bias, relying on long-held beliefs or intuitions rather than engaging in fresh critical analysis. The tendency to rely on cognitive shortcuts (heuristics) increases when the brain is not exercised regularly.
4. Mental Habituation
Smart individuals often develop intellectual habits that once worked well for them. However, if not re-examined or updated, these habits can harden into mental ruts. In some cases, this may result in overconfidence or a diminished openness to new ideas—undermining the very critical thinking that was once their strength.
5. Social and Emotional Dimensions
Isolation, stress, and even overexposure to polarized media can erode critical faculties. Emotionally charged environments may subtly shift a person’s reasoning style, favoring instinct over reflection.

---

​

How to Maintain Critical and Logical Thinking Abilities:

• Pursue active learning: Languages, musical instruments, coding, or new academic subjects
• Engage in dialectical reasoning: Play devil’s advocate, seek opposing views
• Solve puzzles and logic problems regularly
• Teach or mentor others, which forces clarification and refinement of ideas
• Write analytically, especially on unfamiliar topics
• Practice mindfulness or metacognition to monitor one's own reasoning processes

---

​

In summary, intelligence offers a strong foundation, but logical and critical thinking must be nurtured through continuous intellectual engagement. Inactivity or complacency can dull even the sharpest minds over time.
Would you like suggestions for activities specifically geared toward preserving logic and reasoning skills in later life?
ME: How much might you expect IQ to decline between a college graduate age 22 and when he is 75 years old, if he does he avoids challenging mental work as he gets older, that what could be the maximum decline in IQ?

ChatGPT: Bert, the decline in IQ from age 22 to age 75 can be substantial if a person avoids challenging mental work, though the extent depends on what components of intelligence are being measured, and how actively (or passively) the mind is used over the decades.

---

​

Breakdown: What IQ Measures and How It Changes
IQ is typically divided into two major types of cognitive abilities:

Type of Intelligence​	Description​	Trend With Age​
Fluid Intelligence.	Problem-solving, logical reasoning, novel tasks	Declines significantly from midlife on
Crystallized Intelligence	Vocabulary, general knowledge, experience	Can remain stable or improve with age

If someone avoids mental challenges, fluid intelligence declines faster than it otherwise would. Crystallized intelligence may plateau or even decline slightly as well, due to disuse or health factors.

Expected IQ Decline with Age and Mental Inactivity
In average populations, standardized IQ scores are normed by age group, so age-related decline isn't always reflected in a raw IQ number. But if you compare a 75-year-old’s performance directly to that of a 22-year-old, especially in raw, unadjusted terms:
Estimated Decline in Raw IQ:

• Typical decline: 10 to 20 points by age 75 (assuming moderate engagement)

(to be continued)

 

[RCA]

(continued)
Neurological Correlates
Studies such as the Seattle Longitudinal Study and UK Biobank cognitive aging cohorts show:

• Non-engaged individuals lose reasoning and memory skills far more rapidly.
• Engaged older adults (those who read, problem-solve, socialize, or learn new skills) can maintain cognitive performance well into their 70s and even 80s.

---

​

• Significant decline with low mental activity: 20 to 30+ pointsis plausible
  • Mostly affecting working memory, processing speed, and flexible reasoning
  • Equivalent to dropping from the 90th percentile to below average

In extreme cases of mental stagnation, combined with possible vascular or metabolic decline (e.g., poorly managed hypertension, diabetes), the drop could be closer to 30–35 points—especially in performance IQ, which emphasizes real-time reasoning and problem solving.

Summary

• With consistent cognitive disengagement, the maximum IQ decline from age 22 to 75 may be in the range of 25 to 35 points.
• This decline is not inevitable. Many individuals maintain or even improve their relative standing through continuous intellectual engagement.

===== Have you seen this?
I have. I know one appraiser who has a habit of testing his basic math skills and does reviews. --- Review work can definitely put your mind to work -- you have to imagine something you haven't likely seen, you have to put yourself in someone else's place and analyze. He told me a couple of years ago he had recently taken the GRE test and scored in the 99th percentile in English. (The math portion is too easy to be worth discussing.. - Back when I took the GRE test in 1973, the scores were equated to an IQ test and were accepted by Mensa for membership - that is no longer the case - due to DEI.)
I know some others with a list of engineering Degrees, who are somewhat disappointing in my judgment. In many cases, I see engineering managers who after a couple of decades of "managing' no longer have the skill set to do the work.
→ So, please note, the majority of MAIs and SRA's are over 60, and many can't keep up. Yet, they demand $300K- $500K salaries for leadership positions at the AI and other organizations, when in fact they are mentally deficient, a waste of money and a downright danger to the profession.