Are we starting to decline in intelligence as a species? Granted, intelligence is a complex, multi-faceted concept. I suppose this question is hard to answer, but I’m most curious about intelligence, not so much from an academic standpoint. I’m well aware that this generation is the most formally educated thus far, but I’m more interested in intelligence from a more well-rounded perspective. Common sense, emotional intelligence, and everything except academic intelligence. Maybe I’m just in a cynical mood, but every year I age, I wonder how civilization has even made it this far. I feel like as a whole, we are very impulsive, stupid, indulgent, and dangerously arrogant. Have we gotten to a point where our intelligence as a whole is declining? Especially with the way society and many parts of the world have rapidly increased the income gap. I feel like the decline is inevitable.
It’s important to note that when I mention intelligence, I’m not referring to standardized IQ. I’m talking about common sense, the things people will believe, Darwin Award behavior, etc. We have made advancements in certain areas, like getting away from leaded gasoline, which has improved general IQ in the U.S. by about six points. But let’s not forget about multiple intelligences. For example, the Trumper who believes that there were Chinese military in Walmart shipping containers and that the election was stolen. It’s clear that intelligence is not just about academic knowledge.
Some argue that we are not declining in intelligence, but rather shifting away from traditional definitions. We are experiencing a shift to a newer version of intelligence that may be better suited for the needs of a rapidly growing, interconnected, and developed society. However, there are concerns that this shift is leading to a rise in stupidity, as dumb people are becoming more obvious due to social media.
While there are differing opinions on the matter, it’s clear that intelligence plays a crucial role in our society. Whether we are declining or not, it’s important to continue fostering critical thinking, embracing new technologies, and promoting a well-rounded understanding of intelligence. Only then can we strive for a truly advanced civilization.
