Is our generation smarter than Einstein's?

[fritzd]

I think people are equating intelligence with achievements, which is kind of unfair.

I think this generation is smarter (but only by standing in the giant's shoulder), but scientific achievements just become harder. As an illustration, if you put some number of needles in some haystack, the first generation of 'needle finders' will always find the most number of needles and becomes less and less with subsequent generation. In a sea of knowledge, human beings can only discover so much.

Gone are the days when brilliant discoveries could be made by a lone scientist. We could say most things that could be discovered by one man and with limited tools are already discovered. Nowadays, we need collaboration and 'big' tools like LHC to discover something new.

IMHO, best post in this thread so far.

-RODION

I very much agree. I think the first homo sapiens are just as smart as us given the right environment(education).

[pusang_iring]

I very much agree. I think the first homo sapiens are just as smart as us given the right environment(education).

Thank you fritzd and rods.

I just read Flynn effect:

Flynn effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's a statistical data showing scores in IQ tests are increasing all around the world by an average of 3 points per decade. Proposed explanations are better nutrition, lesser infectious disease, more stimulating environment, and hybrid vigor compared to previous generation.

[rexter]

Thank you fritzd and rods.

I just read Flynn effect:

Flynn effect - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

It's a statistical data showing scores in IQ tests are increasing all around the world by an average of 3 points per decade. Proposed explanations are better nutrition, lesser infectious disease, more stimulating environment, and hybrid vigor compared to previous generation.

Don't just rely on IQ test.

There are a number of sociological problems that are thrown up by IQ testing. The main problem being with language if English is not your first language or you're just no good at it, tests in English will yield a lower score. IQ tests also only test certain thinking processes associated with intelligence, and individuals have different mental strengths and weaknesses. A low score on an IQ test does not specifically mean you are "less intelligent". For instance, a person who is highly intelligent in a non-academic field, for instance interpersonal communications or automotive maintenance, may score poorly on an IQ test because the test is based solely on performance in traditional academic subjects.
Scores on an IQ test are comparative by nature... they do not test a subject's true intelligence, merely their performance on the given tasks in comparison to those of the same age group. Test scores can also be affected by simple things such as a lack of sleep, or having not eaten enough that morning.IQ tests also fail to assess creativity levels

[rodsky]

Don't just rely on IQ test.

There are a number of sociological problems that are thrown up by IQ testing. The main problem being with language if English is not your first language or you're just no good at it, tests in English will yield a lower score. IQ tests also only test certain thinking processes associated with intelligence, and individuals have different mental strengths and weaknesses. A low score on an IQ test does not specifically mean you are "less intelligent". For instance, a person who is highly intelligent in a non-academic field, for instance interpersonal communications or automotive maintenance, may score poorly on an IQ test because the test is based solely on performance in traditional academic subjects.
Scores on an IQ test are comparative by nature... they do not test a subject's true intelligence, merely their performance on the given tasks in comparison to those of the same age group. Test scores can also be affected by simple things such as a lack of sleep, or having not eaten enough that morning.IQ tests also fail to assess creativity levels

Equally nice rebuttal!

-RODION

[darkazra]

In my opinion, intelligence from the past is still the same as today. That's because even though the minds of the past have greater achievements , certainly they've discovered the basis of what our current scientist are trying to innovate.. So basically our scientists right now have a much hell of a problem than the scientists before..

[fritzd]

Don't just rely on IQ test.

There are a number of sociological problems that are thrown up by IQ testing. The main problem being with language if English is not your first language or you're just no good at it, tests in English will yield a lower score. IQ tests also only test certain thinking processes associated with intelligence, and individuals have different mental strengths and weaknesses. A low score on an IQ test does not specifically mean you are "less intelligent". For instance, a person who is highly intelligent in a non-academic field, for instance interpersonal communications or automotive maintenance, may score poorly on an IQ test because the test is based solely on performance in traditional academic subjects.
Scores on an IQ test are comparative by nature... they do not test a subject's true intelligence, merely their performance on the given tasks in comparison to those of the same age group. Test scores can also be affected by simple things such as a lack of sleep, or having not eaten enough that morning.IQ tests also fail to assess creativity levels

Maybe if you measure the IQ of the same group of people just differing by generations, IQ might mean something. But you are right, IQ is not the only factor. I think you may have already seen this documentary or maybe someone has posted it here. They are testing exactly what you just discussed.

YouTube - (1of6) - Battle of the Brains

[treize]

We can't really say which generation is smarter, or who is smarter unless we're all just in the same generation with same tools and same environment.

What if Einstein was born in our generation? We'll never know what achievements he can get or if he can.

[rodsky]

What if Einstein was born in our generation? We'll never know what achievements he can get or if he can.

If Einstein was born during this generation, he'll get addicted to Halo, DOTA, and Call of Duty, and will never grow up and think about Relatively.

-RODION

[r3cca]

basically u cant say that today's generation is more intelligent than those in the past.. coz todays generation will be the past of tommorrows generations.. haha In short the latter generation will be smarter because of accumulated knowledge that will be passed on generation to generation..

And ang ky Einstein.. he was born with IQ way above of his generation.. thats why ma consider xa genius.. what if all geniuses was born on the time of cave men.. yes their IQs are high.. but can they invent what they have inveted?

Necessity is the mother of all inventions.. ^^ kinsa ang father? hehe In my opinion c Imagination ^^

[yhokz101]

If Einstein was born during this generation, he'll get addicted to Halo, DOTA, and Call of Duty, and will never grow up and think about Relatively.

-RODION

- hahahaha! technology at it's finest hour... we really need to take a step back and see the difference from their time and our time.