Yes, we are degenerating: entropy.
I have a so-called genius IQ. I would bet that if I had lived in ancient times, I would have been relatively less unusual intellectually.
The Ancients accomplished wonders without the advantage of the cumulative aggregation of intergenerational technologies.
Agreed again. We stand on the shoulders of giants. They were generally much more intelligent than we are.
The Ancients accomplished wonders without the advantage of the cumulative aggregation of intergenerational technologies.
= = =
And they did not have EPA Regs.
But generally speaking, they did not ‘dirty their own nest’.
More modernly, Panama Canal, Hoover Dam, Los Angeles Aqueduct, and others ... constructed by folks using their brains (and not wasting 99% of their time/lives on sports, entertainment, social media).
“Yes, we are degenerating: entropy.”
Sort of ... :-). I believe we as a species are improving, physically, but are failing socially.
“I have a so-called genius IQ. I would bet that if I had lived in ancient times, I would have been relatively less unusual intellectually.”
I don’t think so. I don’t think median “intelligence” has changed much. I think more people applied themselves back then. Today, we have so many distractions that stand to prevent us from unleashing our potential. I am ridiculously guilty of falling for those traps :-).
“The Ancients accomplished wonders without the advantage of the cumulative aggregation of intergenerational technologies.”
They also had far fewer distractions. Also, in many cases, they were literally fighting for their lives and the lives of their children.
I think the root of all evil in human civilization is the propensity of a large part of civilization to look to some kind of ‘leader’ to take care of them. Many people know this and the more disgusting of those take complete advantage of people by playing on their fears.
The United States of America is still the most unique form of government this world has ever seen. Even with the tentacles of socialism crippling the country, it is still one of the best examples of what human civilization is capable of doing so long as it allows its population to be free. Sickening people in the world that feel entitled to be world leaders know that the USA’s form of a representative republic makes them rather worthless ... that’s why they do everything in their power to destroy it.
We could very well be at an inflection point in history ... should we choose to regress to socialism (which is not much different than a monarchy or benevolent dictatorship in my opinion), then I suppose, as a species, we are certainly devolving. However, if the USA would go back to promoting its form of government and not being so frigging embarrassed about its success, we might take the next step in societal evolution :-).
Sorry for the rambling ... I’ve thought long and hard about this very topic on several occasions :-).