Studies show Westerners allegedly getting dumber: IQ Scores have been declining in Western nations for decades.

Recent studies have shown that I.Q. scores have been declining in Western nations for decades.

Evan Horowitz, director of research and communication at FCLT Global, wrote a post for nbcnews.com in which he stated: “A range of studies using a variety of well-established IQ tests and metrics have found declining scores across Scandinavia, Britain, Germany, France and Australia.” Horowitz added that this plunge in cognitive ability could well lead to “fewer scientific breakthroughs, stagnant economies and a general dimming of our collective future.”

Duh.

And there are others.

These findings have led some to issue dire predictions of a general dumbing down of certain selective populations. “Global dumbing” as I call it, though the rising idiocy appears to be concentrated in the West. Perhaps “intellect change” would be a more inclusive and palatable term. I have previously written about this emerging phenomenon/escalating crisis, and it was rather prophetically parodied in the 2006 movie “Idiocracy.”

So, is it true? Are we getting dumber? The studies themselves would appear to provide empirical evidence that this is indeed the case, but perhaps we should look at some anecdotal evidence, as well.

Popular television shows from the early days of the medium included “Gunsmoke,” “Perry Mason,” “Night Gallery” and “The Twilight Zone.” Popular television shows in recent years include “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” “The Bachelor,” “Jersey Shore” and “The Masked Singer.”

No it might be a testing error.

IQ tests measure one type of cognitive ability. If English is your second language, or if you school didn't stress basic logic and math you test lower.

But with better nutrition and less social neglect, IQ is actually going up world wide

But drug and alcohol use in pregnant women lowers IQ.

Finally, it depends who you test. Children with mental retardation and autism who in the past would not be in schools and therefore not tested are now living at home and go to public schools.

Now if you want to argue the schools are terrible and don't do basic teaching, well then I won't argue.

But this argument comes from Europe, where the eugenic ideas are still strong, so I am not sure I trust it.

Again, in 1911 (when eugenics was popular) the British argued the Irish were inferior because of their low IQ testing..and in the US, the argument was that Jewish immigrants had an average IQ of 80 and they were considered inferior too.

It was not that long ago that people were raving about the Flynn Effect and how the average human was getting smarter.

However the Jolly Heretic (Dr. Edward Dutton) has known about the actual decline in intelligence for years and has a BitChute and YouTube channel with extensive discussions on this topic:

BitChute (For those who are boycotting YouTube):

https://www.bitchute.com/video/dFyz1m7djxl0/

Scores have indeed been going down for a couple of decades, but you had the longer-term Flynn effect before that. That means that this article’s examples don’t fit its own timeline.

TV for example used to me a medium of the wealthy and middle class. Now it is most watched by our lower classes, with others largely having left it.

Also, many elements of our culture have been purposely dumbed down by the powers that be, to go along with our incredibly dumbed down school systems. But that puts it more in the cause than the effect column for Western stupidity.

I won’t venture into the demographics side of the discussion.

Only homogeneous societies achieve an accurate average IQ score for their native population group.

Japan, China, Korea... not a racially diverse group of nations.. but among the highest avg IQ scores.

Few things in life set a fire beneath the woke like honest talk of IQ does.. truth, in respect to all things, is what terrifies them..

As a group, I would expect FReepers to come out at or near the very top in avg IQ compared to any other large group, or nation. For wise folk FR is like a picnic basket to a hungry bear ...regardless of their sex or race...we gather together the finest here!

I think what we’re seeing is the Argentina Effect.

No corresponding entry in Wikipedia.

Are you perhaps referring to the "Helsinki Syndrome?"*

Please elaborate!

Regards,

*"Die Hard" reference.

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.