Hey, I’m sure The Real Housewives of Gliese 581g is still better than the social-network-selected content we sent them back in 2008. If our first contact with aliens is from a site that makes MySpace look relevant, I won’t blame them for a second when they destroy us.
As you achieve a sufficient gene-pool to produce genius, you also achieve critical mass in the status quo to burn them at the stake. Good luck with that.
We’re in a death spiral. We keep lowering the expectations of each generation. I was born in 1949, and my generation was expected to know proper grammar and how to spell. And to know the difference between the words “to”; “too”; and “two” not to mention “there” and “they’re”. Already the mass stupidity shows itself in the quality of leaders we elect. Just like the Roman Empire, our American civilization is doomed.
While “The Marching Morons” (and the movie it inspired, “Idiocracy”) were brilliant satires of our dumbed-down consumer society, the idea that stupid people reproduce faster doesn’t fit the natural-selection mechanism. For one thing, if dumb people actually did reproduce faster, we humans never would have become smart in the first place. For another, genetic evolution doesn’t operate on such a short time frame. What’s going on in modern society is being driven by some other process, most likely the economy’s preference for dumb, obedient consumers. The relevant text is not so much Darwin’s “Origin of Species” as it is C. S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man.”
People are stupid, Dr. Mel. They’re lazy, selfish, desirous, and bigoted. But they also have the potential to move beyond their vices and seek to better themselves. People talk about overpopulation, environment destruction, nulcear threats and global warming with an air of such fatality nowadays. I agree these are grievous problems. But we shouldn’t write ourselves off just yet.
see the movie ‘Idiocracy’ ….the only thing wrong about it was the prediction that society would descend to this level in 500 years——- it will be much much MUCH sooner
Clarity, precision & actual relevance are nowhere near as important as loud, flashy & widespread, or Murdock would be a pauper. There is a solution, quit buying crap that’s main selling point is popularity & quit believing that high ratings equals quality, or the burning heap beside the highway that everyone’s slowing to watch would be considered the best driver. The village idiot is entertaining.
If you think people are dumber today, watch older movies and TV. Not just the classics but the not-so-classics. For a more scientific demonstration, research the SATs and IQ tests. The average person from 1930 would seem mildly retarded today.
I might be a borderline genius, but sometimes my fellow “smart” people come off as such bigots that I want to sit down, read some Danielle Steele, swill some Schlitz, and watch “Jersey Shore” just so I don’t have to associate with them.
I have no children and at the age of 58, I am glad of that. I don’t mind paying for the education of other people’s children, ‘cos I don’t want to be surrounded by idiots.My mother was one of thirteen and her father had a job AND ran a small holding. I was an only child and hated it. Two children should be the limit..
phuhknees almost 13 years ago
I don’t get it…
rayannina almost 13 years ago
Then you just proved Dr. Mel’s point. ;)
zero almost 13 years ago
Those Glieser chicks are scuzzy…
trimeta almost 13 years ago
Hey, I’m sure The Real Housewives of Gliese 581g is still better than the social-network-selected content we sent them back in 2008. If our first contact with aliens is from a site that makes MySpace look relevant, I won’t blame them for a second when they destroy us.
Coyoty Premium Member almost 13 years ago
Followed by Betelgeusi Shore Leave.
n.masters7789 almost 13 years ago
Well said…..well said………………………………….
dumbbobsbrother almost 13 years ago
I have suspected this was the case for a long time. It is the only thing that explains our current situation with the Debt Ceiling.
Bilan almost 13 years ago
@Radish, Don’t forget that smart people are the ones that know not to have children.
Varnes almost 13 years ago
Awe, come on people, it’s all those dumb people that make us smart…we owe them….
Varnes almost 13 years ago
Um, how long before we are blessed The Real Mistresses of Pouhkeepsie?
ChukLitl Premium Member almost 13 years ago
As you achieve a sufficient gene-pool to produce genius, you also achieve critical mass in the status quo to burn them at the stake. Good luck with that.
lewisbower almost 13 years ago
Do dumb people cause dumb TV, orDoes dumb TV cause dumb peopleThe government has just announced a $68 billion study.
WillardMBaker almost 13 years ago
We’re in a death spiral. We keep lowering the expectations of each generation. I was born in 1949, and my generation was expected to know proper grammar and how to spell. And to know the difference between the words “to”; “too”; and “two” not to mention “there” and “they’re”. Already the mass stupidity shows itself in the quality of leaders we elect. Just like the Roman Empire, our American civilization is doomed.
3hourtour Premium Member almost 13 years ago
I’m one of dumb people …I’m a Democrat ….
puddleglum1066 almost 13 years ago
While “The Marching Morons” (and the movie it inspired, “Idiocracy”) were brilliant satires of our dumbed-down consumer society, the idea that stupid people reproduce faster doesn’t fit the natural-selection mechanism. For one thing, if dumb people actually did reproduce faster, we humans never would have become smart in the first place. For another, genetic evolution doesn’t operate on such a short time frame. What’s going on in modern society is being driven by some other process, most likely the economy’s preference for dumb, obedient consumers. The relevant text is not so much Darwin’s “Origin of Species” as it is C. S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man.”
corzak almost 13 years ago
More-educated women have less children. There are a number of reasons as to why this is, but it’s a fact, worldwide.
TheSpanishInquisition almost 13 years ago
People are stupid, Dr. Mel. They’re lazy, selfish, desirous, and bigoted. But they also have the potential to move beyond their vices and seek to better themselves. People talk about overpopulation, environment destruction, nulcear threats and global warming with an air of such fatality nowadays. I agree these are grievous problems. But we shouldn’t write ourselves off just yet.
Nighthawks Premium Member almost 13 years ago
see the movie ‘Idiocracy’ ….the only thing wrong about it was the prediction that society would descend to this level in 500 years——- it will be much much MUCH sooner
ChukLitl Premium Member almost 13 years ago
Clarity, precision & actual relevance are nowhere near as important as loud, flashy & widespread, or Murdock would be a pauper. There is a solution, quit buying crap that’s main selling point is popularity & quit believing that high ratings equals quality, or the burning heap beside the highway that everyone’s slowing to watch would be considered the best driver. The village idiot is entertaining.
Stephen Gilberg almost 13 years ago
If you think people are dumber today, watch older movies and TV. Not just the classics but the not-so-classics. For a more scientific demonstration, research the SATs and IQ tests. The average person from 1930 would seem mildly retarded today.
Kaero almost 13 years ago
I might be a borderline genius, but sometimes my fellow “smart” people come off as such bigots that I want to sit down, read some Danielle Steele, swill some Schlitz, and watch “Jersey Shore” just so I don’t have to associate with them.
Coyoty Premium Member almost 13 years ago
So my senior moments are caused by younger people morphogenetically taking away my intelligence?Damn you kids! Get offa my longitudinal fissure!
Sherlock Watson almost 13 years ago
“And coming up next, ’Gilligan’s Planet!’”
(By the way, that was an actual show. Google it.)
pcolli almost 13 years ago
I have no children and at the age of 58, I am glad of that. I don’t mind paying for the education of other people’s children, ‘cos I don’t want to be surrounded by idiots.My mother was one of thirteen and her father had a job AND ran a small holding. I was an only child and hated it. Two children should be the limit..