Are We Getting Dumber?
go downhill: to get worse over time
In the movie Idiocracy, the future is not bright. By the 26th century, IQ scores have collapsed, and the U.S. president is a former pro-wrestler. The movie is a comedy, but it might be coming true. IQ scores used to rise every decade, but now they are going downhill across the world.
One reason might be education. Schools focus more on memorizing facts instead of teaching people to think deeply. Technology also plays a role. People spend hours on screens, watching short videos instead of reading books.
Pollution might also affect the brain, especially in children. Scientists believe heavy metals and microplastics in food and water might make it harder to focus and learn.
With social media hijacking our attention and AI doing our problem-solving for us, will our IQ continue to go downhill? Some say we can reverse the trend with better education, less screen time, and a focus on reading and thinking.
Sample sentences
After the chef left, the restaurant’s food quality went downhill.
His eyesight started going downhill after he turned 50.
The company was very successful at first, but when the owner retired, everything went downhill.
Read More:
Human Intelligence Sharply Declining
The Reverse Flynn Effect — Why Has the Average IQ Been Decreasing Lately?