Are We Really Smarter Than Our Ancestors?

Many of us believe that we are more intelligent than our ancestors simply because we have iPhones, the Internet, and Kim Kardashian. This belief is also supported by the academic consensus, known as the Flynn effect, which suggests that our ability to solve puzzles indicates that we are smarter. However, it's worth questioning if being good at puzzles equates to understanding complex issues such as monetary policy or the impact of welfare on families.

Examining the Decline in Political Discourse

One way to test our intelligence is to examine political campaigns. As a former professor, I analyzed every inaugural address using a Flesch-Kincaid text analysis to determine the grade level of the speeches. The assumption is that skilled speechwriters craft their speeches to match the comprehension level of the voters.

Surprisingly, the analysis revealed a rapid decline in the complexity of political discourse. In 1900, inaugural speeches were written at a college level (13th to 14th grade). Today, the grade level has dropped to 8th for Obama, 9th for Trump, and 7th for Biden. The contrast is even more stark when compared to historical figures like Andrew Jackson, whose 1828 inaugural speech was written at a 22nd-grade level, despite the fact that most people in 1828 had no formal education.

Public Schools: A Source of Indoctrination Rather Than Education

So, why has our intelligence seemingly declined? The answer may lie in our public schooling system. The modern public school system originated from 19th-century Prussia, which aimed to indoctrinate children into obedience to the regime. This system was adopted by American intellectuals who were frustrated by the small-government ethos of Catholics. They believed that while they couldn't force American Catholics to accept a government utopia, they could indoctrinate their children through public schooling.

As a result, government schools spread across the country, and after competency tests were deemed discriminatory, companies began relying on formal education to identify talent. This development transformed universities from a luxury for the 1% into a hefty expense for anyone aspiring for a white-collar job. Meanwhile, teachers' unions took control of these government programs, focusing more on political indoctrination than actual education, leaving American children lacking basic literacy and numeracy skills.

Bottom Line

If we want to preserve our democracy, we must first save our voters by replacing government schools with institutions that prioritize education over indoctrination. This could mean school choice, vouchers, or homeschooling co-ops. But until we address this issue, the situation will continue to deteriorate. What are your thoughts on this matter? Do you think our education system is failing us? Share this article with your friends and sign up for the Daily Briefing at 6pm every day to stay informed.