Are we getting smarter with each generation?

Question

plz mention the how n why... with some reference to scientific research maybe.... in terms of evolution, etc.

come on people....lets have some reference to actual scientific research....dont take "smart" to mean anything in a social way...by "smart" i meant "intelligence"....so are we getting more intelligent thru each generation??

hey ppl....chek out this site....seems interesting...

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s1068478.htm

it says that yes, we are getting smarter, at least in one way

Answer 1

Well, I believe this can be a double edged sword here. If we keep track of all the new technology we are coming up with then of course we are becoming "smarter". After all it takes a certain level IQ to program a machine. But at the same time the smarter intellectually we become the less we use basic skills and knowledge such as hunting, forging, basic plant knowledge, and alternative medicine (which really aren't alternative since they were the first). All we have to do know is plug in a program and it's magic. A machine will do the math, the reading, organizing, etc. Nationally though we are such a melting pot that these comments don't have much affect I'm afraid. Smart and Intelligent are really synonyms and the answer to the question really depends on what sense it is asked. It must be specific or there will be too many answers. Research can't be done on a general questions or the research will provide the general answers you're not looking for.

Answer 2

Hmmm ... generally, no we are not.

Look at our public schools. They are more concerns with their personal well-being than their actual education. Teachers don't give students the proper attention nor do they possess the disciplinary capacity to maintain order in many cases. School books haved been dumbed down to the point where kids today are barely getting by in math and reading. Other subjects are just as badly handled, including history and science.

Liberal thinking believes that if there is a concentration on personal resolution, that everything will turn out better. The problem with this line of thought is that without a basic education, personal resolution is a moot point. Also, it is the same gorup of people that would allow a teacher who is not qualified to each reading to attempt to teach kids about sex education.

Children are also at fault for not trying their best. They can hide behind so many statutes and legalities that if they don't want to complete an assignment or perform an activity, then they can simply say no and get away with it. External stimuli also influence their decisions, enforcing their mindset that they can do and say whatever they want for the most part.

Parental guidance is crucial. However, parents nowadays would rather pass the buck than take responsibility. Children see this and wonder why they can't do the same.

I could go on and on about this. I also know that there are those who do not fall anywhere near these claims, but sadly enough, they are the exception and the norm.

Answer 3

Humans are no longer subject to evolution. Check out the morons, defectives, cripples, weaklings and uglies who are reproducing and you will see that there is no "natural selection," no "survival of the fittest," no "evolutionary pressures" in action here.
In fact, there is strong evidence to support the argument that the more intelligent an individual, the LESS likely they are to have large numbers of children (see, we know what causes babies, now). Thus, the converse - that the less intelligent an individual, the MORE likely they are to have large numbers of children - is also arguable. The net effect of this is that ON AVERAGE, the human race is becoming dumber. It may be a very slow process, but unless there is no truth to genetics and evolution, it is an inexorable process, one that will ultimately have disastrous results.
So, if you can read this, cheers to you. You are in a rapidly shrinking minority.

Answer 4

Thanks to liberals, we are getting dumber. We are losing the concept of personal responsibility and thus our ability to rely on ourselves to survive. As a result, we do not understand that only we, indivdually, have control of our lives and we forget the power we have.

I wouldn't say we are dumber, just more ignorant. Open your eyes people! The only one that can live your life is you. Don't rely on anyone else. When people do that, they will become smarter.
There are many people out there that have taken on that personal responsibility and have become smarter because of it.

Overall, we are smarter but that increase in intelligence is being hindered by the lack of personal responsiblity.

Answer 5

We are getting better educated and better health, but actual brain capacity is the same for the last 40,000 years. Evolution is occurring, but it's not something that would be measurably increased with each generation. We don't even know how to measure intelligence or what it really is!

http://health.dailynewscentral.com/content/view/0001606/31

Answer 6

I'd say while some are getting more intelligent, there are still very ignorant people out there.

Answer 7

maybe on some things but dummer on others

Answer 8

No, we are not getting smarter. I think we are devolving.

Answer 9

Look around. My answer would be NO.

Answer 10

maybe maybe not. now we have technology to fall back on.