For the majority of the 20th century, IQ scores rose an average of three points per decade, which is called the Flynn effect after James R. Flynn, a New Zealand intelligence researcher. Flynn believed this constant increase of IQ was related to better nutrition and increased access to education. 

However, a 2018 Norwegian study found a reversal of the Flynn effect, with a drop of 7 IQ points per generation due to environmental causes such as the Internet. As Evan Horowitz, PhD, Director of Research Communication at FCLT Global, summarized, "People are getting dumber. That's not a judgment; it's a global fact." 

James R Flynn, in a 2009 study, noted a drop in IQ points among British male teenagers and hypothesized a cause: "It looks like there is something screwy among British teenagers. What we know is that the youth culture is more visually oriented around computer games than they are in terms of reading and holding conversations." 

Further, the Internet makes us believe we can multitask, a skill scientists have found humans do not have. Our functional IQ drops 10 points as we are distracted by multiple browser tabs, email, a chat app, a video of puppies, and a text document, not to mention everything open on our tablets and smartphones while listening to smart speakers and waiting on a video call. 

The loss of 10 IQ points is more than the effect of a lost night's sleep and more than double the effect of smoking marijuana. Not only can we not process all of these functions at once, but trying to do so degrades our performance in each. Trying to complete two tasks at the same time takes three to four times as long, each switch between tasks adds 20 to 25 seconds, and the effect magnifies with each new task. The Internet has destroyed our ability to focus on and satisfactorily complete one task at a time.

 

Con 2

The Internet gives diverse populations of people more equal access to information and society.

The basis of the argument that the Internet is "making us stupid" is problematic and ignores large populations of people. First, the idea of "stupidity" versus intelligence relies heavily upon IQ and other standardized tests, which are racist, classist, and sexist. 

Additionally, somewhere between 21 and 42 million Americans do not have reliable broadband access to the Internet at home, or between 6% and 13%. And 49% of the US population (162 million people) is not using the Internet at broadband speeds. Thus we have to question who the "us" includes when we ask if the Internet is "making us stupid." 

For those who do have access, the Internet is an impressive tool. Kristin Jenkins, PhD, Executive Director of BioQUEST Curriculum Consortium, explained, "Access to information is enormously powerful, and the Internet has provided access to people in a way we have never before experienced... Information that was once accessed through print materials that were not available to everyone and often out of date is now much more readily available to many more people." 

Social media in particular offers an accessible mode of communication for many people with disabilities. Deaf and hearing-impaired people don't have to worry if a hearing person knows sign language or will be patient enough to repeat themselves for clarification. The Internet also offers spaces where people with similar disabilities can congregate to socialize, offer support, or share information, all without leaving home, an additional benefit for those for whom leaving home is difficult or impossible. 

Older adults use the Internet to carry out a number of everyday tasks, which is especially valuable if they don't have local family, friends, or social services to help. Older adults who use the Internet were also more likely to be tied to other people socially via hobby, support, or other groups.

Answer the following after reading the above scenario. 

1. Try to diagram the premises and conclusion(s) in Standard Form.
2. Then, discuss whether the argument contains any extraneous material of rhetoric that needs defusing, whether there are any fallacies such as generalizations, ambiguity, or vagueness, and whether the argument contains any flaws that can be criticized.
3. Finally, comment on the strength of the argument and if it is a good one, why it is so.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Argument Diagram in Standard Form Premises 1 For much of the 20th century IQ scores increased by three points per decade Flynn effect 2 A 2018 Norwegi... View the full answer