IQ Scores Are Falling in "Worrying" Reversal of 20th Century Intelligence Boom

submitted by SundogsPlace from (sciencealert.com)

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[–]wizzwizz4 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (4 children)

Counter hypothesis: the [extended mind hypothesis]() is true, which means that the IQ tests are simply not testing for what passes for intelligence nowadays. Since the baseline value for "IQ" is determined based on the population's average, a drop in overall IQ scores is odd to say the least – and despite the misleading title, that's not what's been detected.

/u/SundogsPlace's observations are therefore explained by the effect explained in this xkcd and this xkcd and this xkcd: namely that people pick up on societal decline when it doesn't exist, based on comparing idealised averages from the past with specific selection-biased examples from the present.

[–]SundogsPlace[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I'm not exactly sure what you're trying to convey, but I've got enough decades under my belt, to know society is in decline. Also, to that point, just like our cells completely being remade every 7 years, I notice people's memories, or awareness usually only encompass the last 10 years or less. It's like cellular regeneration actually stunts people's memories.

Having said that, I do believe the oligarchy, cabal, or what have you, can somewhat safely re-invent any society in under 20 years. Literally in that time frame(or less), I think they can make day, night, and night day in the average psyche. So, someone born post 911 is an adult today, but their perceptions of freedom, and general norms are vastly different than people that knew life before hand. Carry that forward, and these 'augmented' reality people are now adults, holding jobs, and making decisions, but based on an entirely different notion of reality than someone old enough to remember a different way of life.

[–]wizzwizz4 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I do believe the oligarchy, cabal, or what have you, can somewhat safely re-invent any society in under 20 years.

Then we don't let them.

[–]Tom_Bombadil 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

just like our cells completely being remade every 7 years, I notice people's memories, or awareness usually only encompass the last 10 years or less. It's like cellular regeneration actually stunts people's memories.

This is interesting. It's like you've estimated the avg brainwashing delivery lead time.

[–]SundogsPlace[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

911 baby, 911, and now meeting 18 year olds who have only seen the world since that time.

You used to be able to walk all over an airport, hangout in an airport, meet your guests, friends, acquaintances at the gate. Grab dinner, or eat at a restaurant in an airport; used to be a 'thing' to do. Explain that to even someone who's in their early 20's.

Totally different paradigm, and I think if you really study it, yes, our master's have it figured out down to a science.