That is not proof that people are getting dumber. For a start, believing stupid things is somewhat orthogonal to the number you get on an IQ test. It is not pur

That is not proof that people are getting dumber. For a start, believing stupid things is somewhat orthogonal to the number you get on an IQ test. It is not purely a test of logic and reasoning. There have always been a large number of credulous folks. I would say that what we're seeing recently is a result of connecting those people together on the internet, which also exposes them en masse to those would would take advantage. Instead of local gossip, people are able to participate at a regional, national and global level. Before the internet, and social media in particular, the cost barrier to communicate this sort of ridiculousness was too high.