Article

2018-06-16 -Short Attention Span Theater-

Archived material is restricted to Rantburg regulars and members. If you need access email fred.pruitt=at=gmail.com with your nick to be added to the members list. There is no charge to join Rantburg as a member.

Posted by Besoeker 2018-06-16 08:08|| || Front Page|| [11135 views ] Top

#1 Intelligence has limits, stupidity is infinite [See - socialism*]. Add billion humans here, add a billion more there, and the average will tend to go down.

* Rewarding the non-productive and punishing the productive just doesn't work out.

Posted by Procopius2k 2018-06-16 09:10|| 2018-06-16 09:10|| Front Page Top

#2 I blame computer games (I've 12 years old kid).

Posted by g(r)omgoru 2018-06-16 09:11|| 2018-06-16 09:11|| Front Page Top

#3 As far as I can tell, the test uses reaction time as a proxy for intelligence; the modern IQ test was not invented until 1904, while Queen Victoria died in 1901, upon which event the Victorian Age ended. There are a good many reasons why reaction time might be measured as being greater nowadays, including living a more sendentary life and technology allowing more accurate measurements in the modern period.

Looking at Lynn’s study (decrease of one IQ point since 1950), it should be noted that proper IQ tests report a number within a ten point range, so a one point difference is within experimental error. Much like climate temperature increases reported in recent years.

Though I will admit that the reelection of Barack Obama would appear to reinforce the claim, though the subsequent election of Trump quite contradicts it. In other words, much like so many claims made by research psychologists.

Posted by trailing wife 2018-06-16 09:23|| 2018-06-16 09:23|| Front Page Top

#4 Shorter explanation:
The Stupid, It Grows.

Posted by ed in texas 2018-06-16 09:38|| 2018-06-16 09:38|| Front Page Top

#5 "Welfare state" redistributes fertility from higher IQ to lower IQ

Posted by Bright Pebbles 2018-06-16 10:15|| 2018-06-16 10:15|| Front Page Top

#6 Lies, damn lies and statistics.

Posted by AlanC 2018-06-16 11:23|| 2018-06-16 11:23|| Front Page Top

#7 Depends on how the IQ Test is structured and what it tests for. Additionally the human brain remaps itself depending on what it is used for. I remember getting a job in an ice cream freezer and "relearning" mental mathematics -- LCD screens don't work at -10F. Did my IQ change, no, but if tested for math skills they would have improved after no longer using an electronic crutch.

Posted by magpie 2018-06-16 12:37|| 2018-06-16 12:37|| Front Page Top

#8 (formerly) Living Proof: Joiner, 22, accidentally stabbed himself to death 'because he thought he was wearing a stab-proof vest'

Posted by Anomalous Sources 2018-06-16 13:44|| 2018-06-16 13:44|| Front Page Top

#9 The problem with "intelligence" tests is that they purport to measure an ability or rather potential but are contaminated with "performance" or "achievement" by the nature of the test. Can you read the question, can you understand the question, can you fit the round peg in the appropriate slot? All rely on the testee having achieved some level of skill. So while there is no solid indication that intelligence is declining (since there are no "pure" measures of intelligence), there is plenty of evidence that verbal, reading and math skills are all in the toilet.

Posted by Mercutio 2018-06-16 13:51|| 2018-06-16 13:51|| Front Page Top

#10 I would be more concerned with lack of basic knowledge (how to take care of yourself and how the world works) and the lack of good decision making (plenty of smart people who do stupid stuff everyday).

Posted by airandee 2018-06-16 15:38|| 2018-06-16 15:38|| Front Page Top

#11 I don't unnerstan.

Posted by Skidmark 2018-06-16 16:10|| 2018-06-16 16:10|| Front Page Top

#12 Today, it's easier just to look stuff up and take someone else's word for fact.

Posted by The peanut gallery 2018-06-16 18:37|| 2018-06-16 18:37|| Front Page Top

#13 Like others have said this is as reliable as "world temperature".

Posted by These Sinatra3854 2018-06-16 23:28|| 2018-06-16 23:28|| Front Page Top

23:28 These Sinatra3854
23:19 Glenmore
22:58 KBK
20:55 CrazyFool
19:59 swksvolFF
19:32 Rob Crawford
19:30 Rob Crawford
19:27 SteveS
19:18 Uneth Gonque8041
19:08 gorb
18:42 The peanut gallery
18:39 Galactic Coordinator Grundy4977
18:37 The peanut gallery
17:26 Uneth Gonque8041
17:25 Thing From Snowy Mountain
17:23 M. Murcek
17:03 ClemKadiddlehopper9000
16:35 Skidmark
16:32 jvalentour
16:30 Skidmark
16:29 Skidmark
16:25 Skidmark
16:24 Skidmark
16:20 SteveS