Better Questions, Better Results

Has Society Become Collectively Less Intelligent? Not dumbing down—it’s evolving smartness in a changing world   Thoughtful Framing “Has society become collectively less intelligent?” is a question every generation asks. Socrates feared writing would ruin memory, critics of television thought screens would weaken minds, and today, smartphones and TikTok take the blame. But intelligence is more than test scores—it’s adaptability, creativity, and the ability to solve problems in changing environments. The evidence suggests society isn’t getting “dumber,” but intelligence is being redefined and redistributed. Has Intelligence Really Declined? IQ Trends: From Flynn to Reversal Throughout the 20th century, IQ scores rose steadily worldwide—a phenomenon known as the  Flynn Effect . On average, scores increased by about  3 points per decade . But since the early 2000s, the trend has shifted in some wealthy nations. Norway, Finland, and even the U.S. have seen signs of the  ...

How does the tech I use change my decision making? May 7, 2025 | Accountability, Decision Making, Mental Health, Modern Life, Psychology, Question a Day, Tools Question a Day   How Technology Influences Your Decision-Making (For Better or Worse) Technology has become the invisible hand guiding our daily decisions—what we buy, what we watch, even who we date. (Ever swiped left too fast and regretted it?  Yeah, blame the UI, not your judgment.) Whether it's AI-powered recommendations, social media echo chambers, or the sheer overload of choices, the tech you use might be making more decisions for you than you realize. So, how exactly is technology influencing your thinking, and should you be concerned? Let's dive in. 1. Information Overload: The Paradox of Choice In theory, having access to unlimited information should make decision-making easier. In practice, it often does the opposite. Too many choices lead to paralysis.  Ever spent 30 minutes scrolling through Netflix, o...