Are we evolving into smarter beings?

That is another idea on the extreme.

How do you define dumb people? What happened to equal rights on equal representation.

Your idea is totally against what many leaders have fought for, equal rights.

On the other hand, it is a idea for Utopian Society and not so bad either.

Smarter...don't think so....if we were "smarter" then hundreds or thousands of people wouldn't be dying from a "just war"...

-wD

Originally posted by WeBDeviL
Smarter...don't think so....if we were "smarter" then hundreds or thousands of people wouldn't be dying from a "just war"...

Wars are started by wealthy, power corrupt people, technically they are smart because they use their money to get other people to die for them.

I accept your argument if the majoritity of Earth were smart, most of them won't follow people that are running our country.

Originally posted by surfup
Are we getting smarter?

I mean we were once in tress, then in caves, then in huts, then in buildings. Does this mean we are evolving as a group into smarter or as a individual.

Some of us are, and some aren't, IMO. I only hope evolution will weed out the idiots and the blind sheep will all die out. Those who are sheep, don't know what I'm talking about. It's something they're not capable of seeing. The reason they can't understand, is the same reason they don't believe me. As of today, the idiots are in control of the country, if not the world.

[Edited on 11-23-2003 by Satyr]

Originally posted by Satyr
Some of us are, and some aren't, IMO. I only hope evolution will weed out the idiots and the blind sheep will all die out...

Do you think overall our gene pool is getting better?

Are the majority getting smarter or stupider?

Originally posted by surfup
Do you think overall our gene pool is getting better?

I would assume it's adapting. That's pretty much the purpose of (or reason for) evolution.

Are the majority getting smarter or stupider?

It's not exactly intelligence, but more of an awareness. I believe people are becoming more "aware" with each new generation. The biggest problem I see is, they're still programmed by their predecessors. As long as we allow older generations to predict what we will accept as "reality", changes are repressed with utmost force. Keep in mind, this is a very slight change. It's not even likely to be noticed in our lifetime, but I do believe it's happening. Younger people seem to be more aware in their youth. After they've been fully programmed to accept what all adults accept, they become less aware. Some people never get to that point. Some people retain their original curiosity, and/or gift for seeing things as they really are. This is what I believe separates the old from the new. Does anyone else see this?

I like your arguement.

I can relate to your oppinion.



[Edited on 23-11-2003 by surfup]

Are we evolving into smarter beings?

Have you actually seen today's kids???

No, if anything, we're going into an evolutionary decline...

Two Words...

"Spongebob Squarepants"

We are doomed....

Originally posted by Gazrok
No, if anything, we're going into an evolutionary decline...

That is your closed-minded oppinon, if I may say so.

By the way, I like Spongebob Squarepants.

Bell curve! Bell curve!

No one gets smarter, we jsut have more information so we cna use more of our brain capacity!

*runs around alternately strokign his beard and tearing his hair out*

DE

Originally posted by Gazrok

Are we evolving into smarter beings?

Have you actually seen today's kids???

No, if anything, we're going into an evolutionary decline...

Two Words...

"Spongebob Squarepants"

We are doomed....

Cartoons are on the decline, but kids aren't the ones writing them. They're written to program kids. Todays cartoons aren't created for entertainment value as much as moral steering. What I mentioned, in my post above, is more something you can feel, rather than see.

[Edited on 11-23-2003 by Satyr]

Originally posted by DeusEx
Bell curve! Bell curve!
No one gets smarter, we jsut have more information so we cna use more of our brain capacity!
*runs around alternately strokign his beard and tearing his hair out*

Hmm interesting thoughts, I always thought that perhaps some of our native ancestors were more (intelligent) in certain ways. But it depends on what you define as intelligent, most people relate it too cultural knowledge, but to me true intelligence is understanding life and spiritual enlightenment.

Originally posted by StationsCreation
Our intelligence isn't increasing, only our knowledge. So through the more knowledge we obtain, the more it push's our potential of intelligence.

For instance. A fully grown man who has never read a book would generally be seen as less intellegent than a literate person. He had the potential for greater intellegence, he just didn't have the knowledge.
So as our knowledge of this universe increases we appear to becoming smarter. But we are actually just becoming more knowledgable, increasing our potential.

The question is, what is the limit to our potential?
I think the limit will be knowledge we cannot perceive, for example God.

IMO

I don't hold to the theory of evolution, so my opinion may differ from others.

I agree. Very well put.

Originally posted by DeusEx
Genetically, we're not getting smarter. We just have more informationat our fingetips to absorb. And, minus selective breeding, we won't get anywhere. In fact, the human genepool is going down in quality, thanks to modern medicine.

Think about it- how many of you are diabetics, or needed anitbiotics to save your lives at one point or another? Most of us, right?

Well, we'd be flat out dead by now. Instead, we live on and pass on 'weaker' genes to our offspring. We ebat the system, so to speak, but it does have its price.

DE

Interesting concept. And let me point out, there are definite exceptions to this theory, I being one.

For example, (in reference to your comment: "we live on and pass on 'weaker' genes to our offspring") my father has many allergies, I have none, my father has high cholesteral, I have below average. My mother has had poor eye-sight since she was young and recently had laser sergery in an attempt to correct her vision, mine, on the other hand, is near perfect (with the exception of slight near-sightedness, due to my scull still growing). My skin does not as easily burn in the sun as my parents'...I could go on.

What I am getting at, is I think this anatomical change (if it is infact existant, which is another argument) can be explained by the changing environment (I am not necessarily referring to pollution or a change in that kind of environment). In the "nature v nurture" debate, I take the side of "nurture". I believe that although genetics do predetermine some qualities, the environment inwhich one lives effects them much more greatly than their genes. I think all of the differences between my parents and I can be explained by our contrasting environments and the very different lives we have lived (growing up).

Your theory is interesting, but I think as long as our environments change, our societies and individuals will follow.

[Edited on 23-11-2003 by Barbarian]

Originally posted by Barbarian
Interesting concept. And let me point out, there are definite exceptions to this theory, I being one.

I've seen absolutely no evidence that there are more diseased people per populace. Have you?
I don't fit into his theory either. For instance, I've never had a single cavity. Everyone else in my family has had tooth decay. I think we've pretty much shot down that theory. It doesn't hold true in many instances.