Recent studies have shown
that I.Q. scores have been declining in Western nations for decades.
Evan Horowitz, director of research and communication at FCLT Global, wrote a
post for nbcnews.com in which he stated: “A range of studies using a variety of
well-established IQ tests and metrics have
found declining scores across Scandinavia, Britain, Germany, France and
Australia.” Horowitz added that this plunge in cognitive ability could well
lead to “fewer scientific breakthroughs, stagnant economies and a general
dimming of our collective future.” Duh.
These
findings have led some to issue dire predictions of a general dumbing down of certain
selective populations. “Global dumbing” as I call it, though the rising idiocy
appears to be concentrated in the West. Perhaps “intellect change” would be a
more inclusive and palatable term. I have previously written about this
emerging phenomenon/escalating crisis, and it was rather prophetically parodied
in the 2006 movie “Idiocracy.”
So, is it
true? Are we getting dumber? The studies themselves would appear to
provide empirical evidence that this is indeed the case, but perhaps we should
look at some anecdotal evidence, as well.
Popular television shows from the early days
of the medium included “Gunsmoke,” “Perry Mason,” “Night Gallery” and “The
Twilight Zone.” Popular television shows in recent years include “Keeping Up
with the Kardashians,” “The Bachelor,” “Jersey Shore” and “The Masked Singer.”
Doh!
Well, how
about music? Can we trace Cardi B’s musical lineage back to, say, Bach or
Amadeus? Sinatra?
Okay, let’s
look at the arts. Can earlier depictions of the Virgin Mary, such as Raphael’s The Alba Madonna, compare to
Chris Ofili’s 1996 version?
So how about
politics? Surely Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown are on
par with Washington and Lincoln, Disraeli and Churchill. No?
What about
architecture? Big Ben, the Statue of Liberty, the Vanderbilt Mansion, the
Golden Gate Bridge and St. Louis’ Gateway Arch all must have their modern-day
counterparts, correct? Oh well, we’re damn good at making Wal-Marts!
Come to
think of it, we haven’t been back to the moon in over 48 years, either.
Circa 1960
we thought anything was possible. And shortly thereafter people envisioned a
Jetsons-like society of the future. Perhaps sadly—and certainly ironically—after
decades of progressivism, we are now laser-focused on how many genders there
may be…and if our breakfast foods are racist.
Ergo, based
on the preponderance of the evidence, it is true.
We is gettin’
dummer.
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