Are we actually getting dumber?
As a novelist who has previously touched upon genetic science and mankind's desire to enhance our human condition in my theological thriller 'Cloning Christ', and in my upcoming work 'Quest', I have asked whether man is getting dumber?
Now, I have said for some time that over the past few decades, and in particular, the past 15 years, society has changed with way we consume information. Generally, we now 'surf' the Internet for 2 to 3 minutes for a glossary sense of information, whereas in the past, we would spike deep into data by actually reading an entire book.
I have maintained that in 'spiking' as opposed to 'surfing', our imaginations are cultivated, and ingenuity, invention, and progress take place.
Now, does this mean that the Internet is without benefit? Of course not.
But the question remains, are we smarter today than, let's say, 3,000 years ago?
Immediately, you can take a look at the landscape of inventions and technology in today's world and you might want to clearly say, "Are you kidding? Of course we're smarter today than back then."
But I beg you to hold on.
In a popular research magazine called 'Trends and Genetics' a new research report just published suggests that human gene development may have peaked thousands of years ago. In fact, Professor Crabtree of Stamford, who has studied human gene projectory and mutation states that human gene mutation or adaptability has slowed down significantly since the time we shifted away from being hunters and gathers of food.
This is all very interesting, especially since our IQ's continue to climb. We're getting bigger, taller, and our brain size is growing.
But as many neurologist have said in study after study regarding your brain's capacity, if you don't use it you lose it.
But Dr. Crabtree has a lot to say, and it sure makes some sense. So, is the human species failure to mutate and adapt making us dumber? Dr. Crabtree has a lot to say, and I think this is fascinating.
So is there a brain drain? Has our gene pool been getting diluted?
To listen to Dr. Crabtree's interview, click here.
