I had a ham sandwich before work.
Conservation of Intelligence.
Like matter there is a fixed amount of Intelligence in the Universe.
Intelligence cannot be added to or detracted from, it can merely change heads.
Intelligence is not fixed for life. Smart people sometimes do stupid things.
It flows in and flows out.
Number of people on the earth make a difference. Unfortunately but true, when the population drops the over all intelligence of people tends to rise.
After the epidemics or wars where there is a big drop in population there is usually big advances in achievement in other areas of the world.
Renaissance followed the plagues of the middle ages. 200 years of progress in education, architecture, art and music and literature.
Similarly following WWII , rapid advances is science and technology here in the US.
Currently population on the earth is at a historic high and there is a vast amount of stupidity. Entire areas of the planet wallow in stupidity.
There is an innate awareness that intelligence flowing away. Look at the groups of peoples that insist on head gear of some type. It is an attempt to hold their remaining intelligence so they do not become as dumb as a stump.
Atmospheric conditions affect the flow of brain strength. Everyone has witness the stupidity of drivers in the rain. They will take risks on slick pavement that they would not take on dry.
Enough?
Ham again?
Intelligence is dynamic, but I don't believe there is a fixed amount in the universe.
I believe there are a fixed number of souls that fit the rest of your theory, but not intelligence because one can increase one's own intelligence and that of those around her by cultivating the brain. It is a fact that one is at her highest or lowest IQ at the time of death because of nurture.
My study of intellect dates back to the late 70s when I had to act on it or suffer the slings and arrows of an outrageous relative. *snicker*
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As far as catapultin ahead technically after crises, that is human nature. Just like mass production, chemistry and physics were advanced in WWII by necessity, just like we now have the blessings of Tang thanks to NASA, need brings innovations, cause and effect.