Theory: Mankind is Growing Stupid

Gee orange, I didn't think I was veiling anything. I consider myself equal to every other creation in life. No more, no less. But it matters not.

As to my pointing out the value in others, that is nothing more than the personal observations of a lifetime. No matter someones intellectual capacity, they have something to offer the human race. To chose whom we will favor with compassion, because of their life position, is certainly not something I would foist off on you or anyone else. It is your choice in life to be a taker or a giver or a bit of both. It is a choice we all make.

The idea that America/world might be marking a downturn in thinking power is not supported by overall evidence, at least as it has been presented here. Since this had turned into a thread on the merits for some individuals to bare progeny over others, I pointed out the selfishness of that attitude, since it is accepted scientific fact that altruistic behavior is one of the defining character traits found in emerging homosapiens.. I simply found it funny that the better educated group displayed so little. I guess putting ones self out for others is a trait we no longer need.

Though I will go on as before.

orangetom1999, I cant say I disagree with you but I dont totaly agree. I think there is alot of good programing on tv( cspan,science, discovery, animal planet etc) but most people don't watch that programing but american idol is amazingly popular and I think that says alot. I was just being sarcastic(the last refuge of a disgusted mind).

It is said that the nature of language is to get 'simpler' as time passes. This is evidenced by the fact that we have gone from very complex languages to the acronym filled "Internet Speak" of today.

With that in mind, perhaps it is the nature of all things to become simpler - in this specific case intelligence. Sure we can blame it on things like TV, school, parents, but can any of those things stop anyone from bettering themselves on their own time?

This is a tough subject, simply because there are so many factors and things at fault, but I do agree with the general sentiment that humanity has been losing its....edge.

NGC2736,
I dont consider myself the equal of every other ceation in life. I dont consider myself better than others. I simply dont want to be bothered by most people out here. For me most can just go on by. I know this mostly by personal observation too. I am not arguing the point of whether they have anything to offer the human race. I am just not intrested in what most people have to offer. Thats just the way I am.

I do choose to whom I will favor or not favor with compassion or anything else. It is my right. It is not something I owe to others because of thier existance. I dont go along with the Im OK, Your OK type philosophy.

Altrustic behavior is not something that I owe to others like a automatic default setting to allow them to play through on my altruism. Also I am not particularly educated.


Savage Cupid,

I too watch those programs on occasion, Discovery, animal planet, history channel,Mythbusters etc etc. I do not watch American Idol. I am insulted by that program. I dont watch the Sopranos or that western I think it is called Deadwood. If I want foul and poor language skills I go to work and get it on the clock. I dont need to watch it on my television. These two programs I consider of the LCD type..lowest common denominator. If I want to watch that kind of wildlife...can go to work and get paid for watching and listening to it too. I am the kind of person who has more respect for much of the four legged wildlife and their motives than much of the two legged variety.
I also dont watch sports unless it is one of those fishing programs. I will occasionally watch those. I am just not into most of what passes for sports. 'Football, basketball, Hockey, baseball, Golf, boxing....no thanks. Not for me. I am just not intrested in being hooked on the sports drug habit...worshiping the gods of sports.
But that is just me.

Thanks to all for thier posts,
Orangetom

Just becuz someone isnt well educated doesnt mean they're not smart, take me for example, rotfuaflmao, just kiddin, but in all seriousness, its not true, your being prejudice, and its also true that man kind is becoming an @$$ of itself, it doesnt mean its the uneducated peoples fault, wtf.

the human condition is universal.
Einstein said the universe and stupidity were infinite and he was positive about the second statement.
that will not change
so we will always have infinite amount of stupidity no matter how smart we evolve in the human condition.
that seems to be our curse

Orange, such is your choice. Far be it from me to say what is right for another. You are allowed your position by right of being sentient. It will not make or break the overall 'bank' that is life.

Still, on a personal level, you may regret that stance, for no man is an island, and one day you may have need of one of the 'less intellectually endowed' that are around you. And if they assist you, I'm sure you will congratulate yourself for your brilliance in manipulating them. And all the while, you fail to see that you and they are all part of the weave of life.

I feel for you, having pride and finding value in your solitude. It must take either great resolve, or even greater fear, to cut one's self off from his fellow man in such a manner.

Good luck.

LOL LOL.... I never said I was an Island. IF you choose to interpret or see it that way..no problem. What I am saying is that I am very selective about the company I keep. I do not buy into that "Im OK your OK buisness.

I understand that all are part of the weave of life ..or the mosaic as I am wont to say. NO problem here. I just am not that social a person by choice. I am selective about the company I keep. I am also not impressed by what most of this world considers valuable...or worthy of adoration. Not intrested in this here.

I am intrested in manipulating most ..only so far as to leave me and mine alone. I dont care what they do on their own or with their own.

I just dont happen to think it is all that great a man made world outside my doors.

I have a great admiration for nature herself ....but I am not deceived by this at all. I am aware that nature can be a very harsh taskmaster. I am not a city type person though I live in one. I prefer the nights...where there are fewer people. Nature herself is quite beautiful day and night. Citys have too much concrete and straight lines. Other than at the crystaline level nature does not produce straight lines so to speak.
When you see alot of straight lines its a good bet that men made them. Nature is just not that uniform. Wonderous variety in nature but not so much in a straight line configuration.

I am wondering to myself if you understand as to what I am alluding??

Thanks,
Orangetom

orange, I meant no insult. I simply think it an error to withdraw from the festival that is life. I too choose with whom I will spend time, but I am not adverse to the random chance that puts me in contact with those outside my comfort zone.

The original idea of this thread dealt with the diminishing intelligence some perceived in the world. I, perhaps wrongly, took your position to agree with the self effacing group on here that thought the world would be better off if everyone who didn't measure up to some standard, no doubt to be set by the academics, were given Hitler's solution.

If I erred in taking your comments this way, my apologies.

Originally posted by kcired_tsew This hippie dude (pretty smart fellow) has convinced me that the U.S. government has been dumbing us down for decades.
they stopped teaching latin in school. anyone who knows latin has a fairly good understanding of both medical terminology as well as law.

I read the same claim, and it has a lot of circumstantial evidence supporting it, imo. The story I recall was that the western powers, ie. UK and US learned high intellect equalled freethinking, which increased ones chances of being socially responsible, or in other words, socialist. Less education meant more right wing voters, so the leaders started thinning out the curriculum and began teaching wrong. It is harder to teach the wrong stuff, but the theory alleges that it has been going on since the 30's, 'Dick and Jane', etc., and has had some success.
I also agree with the classism, and beautiism ideas. If sumwum cant reed mi point cuz I aint spelt gud, then thatz one thin, but if dey jus wanna correck me cuz they can, den dey jus beein smartie pantz.
I kin spell, reel gud, but I aint pushin it, an if I nose wut dey means, den gud nuff.
Love is all, brains are jus for figgerin mo waze tuh luv.
Elitism is incommensurable with unconditional love.

Good post there, Black-, Maybe if we all lower ourselves to their level. we'll be acceptable. But the truth is, that America isn't becoming as stupid as some would have us think, though not for lack of effort in some parts. The difference is that many now realize that schools teach facts and rules, learning is up to the individual. Beyond a basic structuring, 'higher education' is self imposed.

This does not stop the masses from thinking that a degree is a certificate of wisdom. There are more educated fools than ever in this day and age. A degree is assurance of a better paying job, which for too many is the sole reason to learn anything in the first place.

As a result of this 'dumbing down' in education we are producing a surfeit of specialist when the proceed through the maze whole process. They are only able to 'know' one isolated subject. Sometimes, it's only football or basketball.

And most of those read and agree with your last paragraph.

[edit on 5-5-2007 by NGC2736]

Originally posted by BlueRidge
Comments?

duh

Vote BUSH! Again.

Thats quiter an interesting theory. It runs along with something that i have been thinkin about myself. If you follow the bible, it somewhat makes sense. When we were in the garden, we were perfect at first until the fall. At that perfect form, humans were as close to genetic perfection as we could have possibly have been. That is why humans were able to live so long in the beginning. Thus, as we reproduce, our genetic strength weakens. Maybe along with our age, our intellect falls as well. Just a thought im still workin on.

Stupid-Adj. 1 Slow to learn or understand; obtuse.
2 Tending to make poor decisions or careless mistakes.

Source: my dictionary.

Sorry but even the most intelligent of people have done stupid things before. It is called part of learning. We learn from our mistakes. Some of us just learn faster than others. This question is too broad and needs to be narrowed down.