Why are our IQ levels dropping badly? || Acharya Prashant, with Delhi University (2023)

Summary

The speaker discusses the decline in IQ levels over the past few decades, attributing it to the passive consumption of information through one-way media like radio, television, and social media. This has led to a lack of mental exercise and critical thinking, resulting in a rise in modern superstitions and a decline in scientific curiosity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the essence of being human, which involves consciousness and inquiry, to differentiate from animals and to prevent further decline in intelligence.

Takeaways

• 📉 IQ levels have been declining over the past few decades, as established by extensive surveys.
• 📲 The easy availability of mediocre information and sensory input through technology is suggested as a contributing factor to the decline in IQ.
• 📻 One-way media, starting from radio to television and then the internet and social media, has led to passive consumption of content without mental exercise.
• 📚 The decline in interactive and critical consumption of media has reduced the need for active thinking and discretion.
• 🛌 The current trend of consuming social media while in a relaxed state further promotes a lack of mental activity and inquiry.
• 📖 Books offer a more interactive medium where one can pause, think, and engage with the content at their own pace, unlike passive media.
• 🧠 The lack of personal interaction and accountability in digital media has diminished the human ability to question and understand content deeply.
• 🤔 The script suggests that the decline in IQ is linked to a rise in modern superstitions and a lack of inquisitiveness among people.
• 🧐 It emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference between human beings and animals, with the former being inherently curious and inquisitive.
• 🚀 To be truly human, one must have a scientific temperament, questioning and understanding the world both externally and internally.

Q & A

What is the main argument presented in the script regarding the decline in IQ levels?

The script suggests that the decline in IQ levels is due to the easy availability of mediocre information and knowledge, sensory input, and the prevalence of one-way media which doesn't require active mental engagement.

What is the definition of 'one-way media' as discussed in the script?

One-way media refers to communication channels like radio, television, and social media where the flow of information is unidirectional, and the audience passively consumes content without the need for active interaction or mental exercise.

How does the script relate the consumption of social media to a decline in IQ?

The script implies that social media encourages a passive consumption of content, leading to a lack of mental exercise and discretion, which in turn contributes to a decline in general intelligence.

What is the advantage of reading books as mentioned in the script?

Reading books allows for active engagement with the material, including the ability to pause, think, underline, scribble, skip pages, or return to previous points, which promotes mental exercise and understanding.

How does the script describe the impact of personal interaction with content creators or teachers?

The script highlights that personal interaction requires a higher level of attentiveness and engagement, as the person can challenge your understanding and prompt you to question and probe issues more deeply.

What is the script's view on the rise of modern superstitions due to declining IQ levels?

The script argues that a lack of inquisitiveness and discretion leads to a belief in anything that comes easily, fostering modern superstitions and a decline in critical thinking.

Why does the script suggest that people have become dismissive of knowledge and science?

The script posits that the easy availability of information and the decline in active inquiry have led to a disregard for knowledge and science, with people becoming more animalistic and less interested in understanding the world around them.

What does the script propose as the fundamental difference between humans and animals in terms of understanding the world?

The script argues that humans should have a deep interest and curiosity about the world, unlike animals whose curiosity is limited to basic needs. Humans should seek to understand the external world and the internal motivations behind their actions.

How does the script connect the use of technology with the need for human understanding?

The script emphasizes that using technology, such as smartphones or vehicles, should prompt an understanding of the basic principles behind their operation, distinguishing humans from animals that do not comprehend the technology they inadvertently use.

What is the script's recommendation for improving the general intelligence and inquisitiveness of the population?

The script advocates for a return to active inquiry, questioning, and a scientific temperament, discouraging superstition and promoting a deeper understanding of both the external world and the internal motivations of human actions.