Chapter 1: The Shrinking Brain Mystery

Recently, I stumbled upon an article that revealed something quite unsettling: my brain has decreased in size. You might chuckle at this, but it appears that yours has too! Collectively, humans have experienced a reduction in brain size equivalent to that of a lime. I assume this refers to an overall loss of brain tissue rather than a literal slice being taken out, but you can’t rely on me for certainty—I seem to be lacking in the mental sharpness I thought I had just moments ago.

The fact that our brains have shrunk is largely accepted, particularly if one adheres to mainstream scientific views. Historical records suggest that between 3,000 and 5,000 years ago, some event triggered this decrease in size. The underlying reasons for this phenomenon certainly warrant further exploration.

As someone nearing the latter half of my 40s, I can't say I'm shocked by our collective decline in cognitive abilities. It’s been my belief that we’ve been losing brainpower since the 1980s—and frankly, we weren’t exactly geniuses back then. Unlike scientists, I attributed this trend to cultural shifts brought on by economic policies or perhaps the influence of bands like Kajagoogoo during that regrettable decade.

Other explanations, which are less driven by personal observations and cynicism, suggest factors such as increasing temperatures (smaller brains are easier to cool), the agricultural revolution (carbohydrate-heavy diets may not support optimal brain function), or domestication (domesticated animals typically have brains that are 10% to 15% smaller than their wild relatives).

The prevailing theory, as I understand it, suggests that in ancient times, when we were primarily hunter-gatherers, we required larger brains and greater cognitive abilities to survive the numerous challenges of our environment. Failing to navigate these challenges could result in death and, ultimately, the end of one’s genetic lineage. If one cannot recall the migration patterns of caribou or identify poisonous mushrooms, the chances of passing on one’s genes diminish significantly.

Over time, our social structures have expanded, leading to the creation of knowledge repositories—whether communal, printed, or online. Nowadays, it appears that we don't need to retain as much information about our surroundings; instead, we need to know how to access the knowledge we desire. As a species, we might be more "intelligent" collectively, but this renders individual brainpower somewhat redundant, or so the theory suggests.

Regardless of whether this theory holds water, I find little solace in the idea that humanity is more intelligent as a collective while individuals are becoming less so. But that's the nature of science, isn't it? If science were meant to be reassuring, it would likely be referred to as something else—perhaps a belief system grounded in faith. The exact term eludes me now, but that may be due to the part of my brain that was lost when I learned of its reduction.

Chapter 2: Understanding the Current State of Intelligence

The first video titled "The Simpsons Taking Fire Over 'Stupid Newfie' Scene" explores the humorous yet controversial aspects of cultural perception and intelligence.

The second video, "Stupid Mistakes and the Big Stupid Head That Made Them!" features Scott Kelby discussing the common errors we make in our understanding of intelligence.