Paula, thanks for this fabulous, thought-provoking (and therefore IQ-raising?) article.
"Cognitive researchers hypothesize that smartphones and smart speakers, autocomplete and artificial intelligence, Wi-Fi and runaway social media have conspired to supplant the higher functions of the human brain. In its quest for labor-saving tech, the world may be dumbing itself down." I know that the people who didn't read much in years past, appear not to read at all anymore. I remember many years ago learning that the more senses a person uses when learning, the more they will retain. In other words, listening + watching + taking notes by hand when listening to a lecture yields a far higher retention rate than simply watching and listening. As far as I can tell, handwritten notes are a thing of the past in classroom settings. Just remembering my college days as a History major, I would have to think long and hard when writing a term-paper, what the subject would be, and how I would approach it. I would have to do a time-consuming search for appropriate texts to read, and then reference. This involved hours using stacks in the college library. Now all a student would have to do is google the topic, glance through titles, and read online the articles. Not nearly as much analytic skills -- or even physical activity! -- involved.
Paula, the article you shared is most enlightening. I agree with Dr. Flynn, that the quality of education plays a role in IQ scores. I disagree that we began our fall around the 2000’s. I remember in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s when fast food restaurants were dumbing down their cash registers with pictures to help young employees identify menu options. The factors governing intelligence are many, nutrition, environment, rest, general physical, mental and psychological health and age. I wish they’d spoken to multiple intelligences. But one thing is certain, this dependence on modern day technology is not an advantage.
::The implication is that the Democratic Party is out of touch with everyday people.
::This is a nifty little self-defense mechanism for Democrats who aren’t willing to see the MAGA social pathology for what it is.
::Shifting blame to “the politicians” or “the consultants” in the Democratic Party gives a get-out-of-jail-free card to relatives and neighbors and co-workers who are handmaidens to fascism (however unwittingly).::
Well, you can call me one of them—and FYI, I DID run for Student Council, and even won a seat.
The problem IS the Mainstream Democratic Party, who are far more interested in hanging onto their seats and perqs than they are in, you know, representing their constituents.
It's not "Woke"(one of the biggest movie hits this year was by a Black filmmaker, about Black people who tried to open a music club while fighting a Very White Vampire) that's destroying the Democratic Party, it's Fucking Clinton NeoLiberalism and their determination to turn into the Republican Party, while the REPUBLICAN Party turns itself into the American Nazi Party!
We don't need to get rid of Kamala Harris, we need to get rid of Schmuck Schumer and Notorious P-Lousy, and start elevating Bernie Sanders, AOC and Jasmine Crockett who actually CARE about their constituents, and are willing to fight against the Right Wing in any and every way....
My God! Is it true that the average American IQ is only 98%?!? Well that explains a lot. A Mensa study from a couple of decades ago indicated that it was falling but this is ridiculous and very dangerous. I suspect that the loss of native and learned intelligence is dropping due to rejection of genuine education. Much of what we learn and process can be heavily influenced by the quality of our education. IQ is a measurement of how much and how well we absorb and comprehend while using mental cues and tools at our disposal. Yes, there are some extra gifts involved here and there that help. Yet if youth are mentored by educators that inspire and encourage students to embrace and explore their environment, they don’t need to be brainiacs to logically reason and make informed decisions. We’re getting a failing grade and such unparalleled ignorance in our society because we’ve abandoned educational curricula that provide a strong base upon which people can efficiently and effectively build skills and knowledge.
Why do you suppose the average IQ in the US is 98? Has it gone down, up, neither? Here's an article that seems to know: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3922608-american-iqs-rose-30-points-in-the-last-century-now-they-may-be-falling/
Paula, thanks for this fabulous, thought-provoking (and therefore IQ-raising?) article.
"Cognitive researchers hypothesize that smartphones and smart speakers, autocomplete and artificial intelligence, Wi-Fi and runaway social media have conspired to supplant the higher functions of the human brain. In its quest for labor-saving tech, the world may be dumbing itself down." I know that the people who didn't read much in years past, appear not to read at all anymore. I remember many years ago learning that the more senses a person uses when learning, the more they will retain. In other words, listening + watching + taking notes by hand when listening to a lecture yields a far higher retention rate than simply watching and listening. As far as I can tell, handwritten notes are a thing of the past in classroom settings. Just remembering my college days as a History major, I would have to think long and hard when writing a term-paper, what the subject would be, and how I would approach it. I would have to do a time-consuming search for appropriate texts to read, and then reference. This involved hours using stacks in the college library. Now all a student would have to do is google the topic, glance through titles, and read online the articles. Not nearly as much analytic skills -- or even physical activity! -- involved.
Paula, the article you shared is most enlightening. I agree with Dr. Flynn, that the quality of education plays a role in IQ scores. I disagree that we began our fall around the 2000’s. I remember in the late ‘80’s and early ‘90’s when fast food restaurants were dumbing down their cash registers with pictures to help young employees identify menu options. The factors governing intelligence are many, nutrition, environment, rest, general physical, mental and psychological health and age. I wish they’d spoken to multiple intelligences. But one thing is certain, this dependence on modern day technology is not an advantage.
Totally agree, Jaye.
::The implication is that the Democratic Party is out of touch with everyday people.
::This is a nifty little self-defense mechanism for Democrats who aren’t willing to see the MAGA social pathology for what it is.
::Shifting blame to “the politicians” or “the consultants” in the Democratic Party gives a get-out-of-jail-free card to relatives and neighbors and co-workers who are handmaidens to fascism (however unwittingly).::
Well, you can call me one of them—and FYI, I DID run for Student Council, and even won a seat.
The problem IS the Mainstream Democratic Party, who are far more interested in hanging onto their seats and perqs than they are in, you know, representing their constituents.
It's not "Woke"(one of the biggest movie hits this year was by a Black filmmaker, about Black people who tried to open a music club while fighting a Very White Vampire) that's destroying the Democratic Party, it's Fucking Clinton NeoLiberalism and their determination to turn into the Republican Party, while the REPUBLICAN Party turns itself into the American Nazi Party!
We don't need to get rid of Kamala Harris, we need to get rid of Schmuck Schumer and Notorious P-Lousy, and start elevating Bernie Sanders, AOC and Jasmine Crockett who actually CARE about their constituents, and are willing to fight against the Right Wing in any and every way....
I AGREE!
My God! Is it true that the average American IQ is only 98%?!? Well that explains a lot. A Mensa study from a couple of decades ago indicated that it was falling but this is ridiculous and very dangerous. I suspect that the loss of native and learned intelligence is dropping due to rejection of genuine education. Much of what we learn and process can be heavily influenced by the quality of our education. IQ is a measurement of how much and how well we absorb and comprehend while using mental cues and tools at our disposal. Yes, there are some extra gifts involved here and there that help. Yet if youth are mentored by educators that inspire and encourage students to embrace and explore their environment, they don’t need to be brainiacs to logically reason and make informed decisions. We’re getting a failing grade and such unparalleled ignorance in our society because we’ve abandoned educational curricula that provide a strong base upon which people can efficiently and effectively build skills and knowledge.