2006-09-13 15:53:49 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The are a couple of problems with your statement/Question.
Smart people do not always marry smart people and even when they do, the children are not always smart. Also "stupid" people can have smart kids.
Looking back over history, one can make a general statement that it seems that humanity gains knowledge, but not necessarily intelligence over time. Humanity tends to modify its own population (like the French period where the common man killed off almost all of the educated citizens) and similar periods in China and elsewhere.
As much as I would like to believe that overall, the intelligence of humanity is getting better, I think that the data may prove that this is not so.
2006-09-13 16:12:12 · answer #1 · answered by Richard 7 · 69⤊ 0⤋
Good question!
It is not evolution. Evolution would mean a new species of human. That is not what is happening.
There are several different kinds of intelligence. We may refer to these intelligences as talents.
The development of humans over the last 10,000 years has been based primarily on perceived attractiveness and the chances for successful survival. Survival depended first on physical ability and apparent power. This appearance often was displayed by vocalization and physical prowess. These were evidence of hunting and fighting ability and led to language development. As the needs for hunters diminished, the attractive qualities were passed to the chanters, and then the singers. The hunters which were good runners became the dancers. The chanters became talkers and singers.
Today, multimedia spreads the idea of common culture. The aesthetics of the world are being blended and a world culture is emerging. Music, art, and the general ideas of beauty and attractiveness are being communicated into all the societies of the modern world.
The visual image of what is an attractive mate is set out for our examination by the media. To the extent that this image favors intelligence or stupidity is the answer to your question.
What do you think? Are the images of attractive people smarter now than they were in the past? I think so. Today, women are seen as much more capable than in the past. Of course they are beautiful as well. But their role is no longer that of simple beauty. They are smart, strong, and very capable.
To the degree that this image wins over the one portrayed by pornography, the human race will become smarter. To the degree that the image of women - or men - as sex objects has an impact, the human race will continue as it has.
It is important to set your personal goals high and choose as a mate the one who will help you survive and your children be successful. If you think that sexuality is more important than talent, then you are not improving the human race. Choose someone who has talent - one of the 16 intelligences. Then you will will be successful and the human race will improve.
;-D Good luck!
2006-09-13 16:29:18 · answer #2 · answered by China Jon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Everything is not black/white . There are shades of grey .
Even if smart people marry smart people and have smart kids, there are a number of factors which will affect & influence those smart kids till they turn into smart people .
Moreover, I believe people are not completely smart/stupid . Its how they react to or handle given situation or monitor their behavior that makes them smart/stupid .
After guiding & training even a fool can be made to do tasks perfectly and smartly . Isn't it ?
2006-09-13 22:27:41 · answer #3 · answered by nzcricket 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's not entirely accurate. Intelligence doesn't necessarily play a linear role in human mating, as such.
However, the case is actually worse than you think. We're just evolving towards stupid - stupid people generally have more children than smart people.
2006-09-13 15:55:56 · answer #4 · answered by extton 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hate to tell you but many of the smartest people I know elected not to breed. On the other hand, stupid people breed like rabbits... or, worse yet, like cockroaches!
So, but for lucky breaks in genetic combinations, I'd say we're dumbing down.
2006-09-13 15:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If that was happening the dumb would eventually die off... being dumb. The population would slowly get mildly smarter.
However this is not what is happening. There is mixing. People marry for reasons other than intelligence. For instance, I almost married a complete idiot. ;)
2006-09-13 15:59:38 · answer #6 · answered by iMi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It has been my experience that more kids are being born from dumb people marrying other dumb people. The smartest probably have the fewest kids at least that is the way it seems to me.
2006-09-13 17:00:08 · answer #7 · answered by JimZ 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmm.. good point i guess, but its no always smart on smart marriages, and some poeple are smart enough not to have kids.
:P
2006-09-13 15:55:32 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. Sometimes the best people come out of adversity, so I don't know.
2006-09-13 15:55:44 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It kinda seems that way, but who's to say what's happening.
2006-09-13 15:56:03 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋