4 ms·
People have definitely gotten smarter. Here’s a small case which might help illustrate how this happens in general: We know infection with hookworms and other s
by ghgdynb1 6y ago
People have definitely gotten smarter. Here’s a small case which might help illustrate how this happens in general: We know infection with hookworms and other soil-transmitted helminths will do nasty things to the intelligence of the patient, especially for children. Since humanity got rich enough to build sewer systems and shoes and anti-parasitic drug companies, soil transmitted helminths have become a lot less of a problem (and the same goes for their cognitive effects).
- nwah1 6y agoIodine deficiency and leaded gasoline are other examples.
- wcarss 6y agoI just learned about the awful effects of iodine deficiency and how incredibly widespread it once was the other day from a youtube suggestion[1] about iodized salt. Previously I had thought iodization was mostly for preventing thyroid issues in the event of nuclear fallout, but no! It was a way bigger deal. For example, I had no idea it was the origin of the term "cretin"[2]. 1 - https://youtu.be/B00K66HivcI https://youtu.be/B00K66HivcI 2 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretin https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretin
- LukeShu 6y agoTIL that "cretin" and "Cretan" aren't the same word. I guess I'm glad to know that the etymology is ableist instead of racist.
- mrfusion 6y agoSadly a lot of salt in the stores now boasts iodine-free. I actually had to buy the cheapest 99 cent salt shaker to get one with iodine and I add a few sprinkles to most of my kids meals. Just to be safe.
- slibhb 6y agoMy dismissal was too strong but the article says "even the average person today would have been considered a genius compared to someone born in 1919". I find that incredibly hard to believe. Even if average intelligence has climbed up, genius is about the absolute top of the heap and I doubt that has changed.
- faitswulff 6y agoIsn't IQ a relative test, though? Doesn't this just mean that there's a growing intelligence gap between the average person and the most intelligent?