Are People Getting Smarter or Dumber?

[Julianking93]

Simply put, without getting into much detail as to why it is I ask this question, do you think humans are getting smarter or dumber?

Personally, when watching the new generation of people, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that humans are definitely getting dumber for the most part. Of course there are the exceptions as made clear by most members here that there are still very intelligent people here and while I'd like to think that the dumb ones will merely die off as they would according to evolutionary theories, less intelligent people often produce more dumb offspring than more intelligent people produce, so I guess the worst case scenario is that the world just becomes a wasteland of retards.

So what about the Escapist? What do you all think?

 

[Marter]

For the most part, dumber. The smarter people don't reproduce as often, while the less intelligent end up having many children.

 

[Snarky Username]

In terms of knowledge, people are definitely getting smarter. You can't help bu get smarter with things like the internet. In terms of sense and overall intelligence, not at all. Comfort allows people to get by with no common sense or intellect.

 

[chozo_hybrid]

I wouldn't know, I don't mingle with the younger generation all that often.

 

[quiet_samurai]

Neither, it's the ability to share information with anyone on the planet instantaneously that makes it seem so.

 

[The Eggplant]

I find that very little people in the middle now, some people are getting dumber and dumber, some are getting smarter and smarter.

Talk about having your cake and eating it too...but this, actually. I feel like my generation has become a culture wherein the competition to become an intellectual elite has reached such a fever pitch that those few who try for the level of intelligence devote themselves body and soul to it, while those who aren't consumed by the desire to achieve just kinda sink to the bottom. So I'll go with both as well, with the added caveat that neither direction is a good one.

 

[Inco]

Some are getting smarter and smarter with the advances in technology and science that is occurring and the overall depth of human knowledge gets bigger.

Though some are getting dumber from commercialisation, the media and some other factors. Perhaps i am looking on the wrong details perhaps, as humanity have always had its fair cross section of people.

 

[Souplex]

I think this says what words can't:
The English version isn't on Youtube, but you can get the gist of it.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

People are definitely getting dumber and losing all of their common sense and logic.

 

[Dags90]

For the most part, dumber. The smarter people don't reproduce as often, while the less intelligent end up having many children.

I hear this all the time, but I've never read anything that shows an overwhelming genetic link to intelligence.

 

[Lullabye]

Well, let's do a test. Can anyone tell me he original, primary definition of dumb?

 

[Steppin Razor]

Eh, percentage-wise there's probably about the same amount of morons as there ever were. It's just that with an increased population it amounts to stupid people doing stupid things being far more visible than ever before.

 

[Wardnath]

The dumb people never get into a position where they can influence humanity thank god.

Australia would like a word with you. >_>

 

[ThrobbingEgo]

Simply put, without getting into much detail as to why it is I ask this question, do you think humans are getting smarter or dumber?

Personally, when watching the new generation of people, I can say with a fair amount of confidence that humans are indefinitely getting dumber for the most part. Of course there are the exceptions as made clear by most members here that there are still very intelligent people here and while I'd like to think that the dumb ones will merely die off as they would according to evolutionary theories, less intelligent people often produce more dumb offspring than more intelligent people produce, so I guess the worst case scenario is that the world just becomes a wasteland of retards.

So what about the Escapist? What do you all think?

I take it you don't read XKCD?

Spoiler

 

[Logic 0]

The precent of stupid people is the same just there's more people so there's going to be an increase in stupidity.

 

[TheNumber1Zero]

I find people's minds tend to be a mix of Brilliance (Smart people), Foolishness (Idiots), and Brilliance applied in a Foolish way (Those with great minds using them in idiotic ways).
So my answer to the Thread is pretty much "Yes"

Plus it barely matters, since I will have long given up caring what happens by the time those younger than I have gained power.

 

[dmase]

Scientific proof.... in song form

Spoiler

I think people are just getting lazier. People are less willing to strive for something better or make and accomplishment or contribution. Thats what nationalistic propaganda was for, I just don't see many Rosy the riveter style advertisements around.

Edit: embedding disabled... oh well a lot of people have seen the music video if you haven't look it up on youtube.