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Why our IQ levels are higher than our grandparents' | James Flynn

TED · talk · Watch on YouTube

Psychology & human behaviorConsciousness & cognition

What it is

Moral philosopher James Flynn explains the Flynn effect, the steady rise of IQ scores across the 20th century. He argues the shift reflects a move toward abstract, hypothetical thinking as cognitively demanding professions grew.

Why Hacker News recommends it

HN recommends it as a clear explanation of why generations think differently and why IQ scores have risen.

  • 3 people recommended it
  • 3 different months
  • 1 strong recommendations
  • first 2020, last 2024

What HN commenters said

  1. “This is an argument made by James Flynn in his amazing TED talk”

    Flynn argues hypothetical reasoning drives rising IQ across generations

    Mirioron, 2020-06 · Strong recommendation · in “You can't tell people anything (2004)”

  2. “enjoyable to me even today”

    Flynn explains the Flynn effect; still enjoyable

    Aerroon, 2021-01 · Recommendation · in “McDonald’s Theory on How Best to Rescue Conversations”

  3. “A great explanation of this comes from the Ted-talk of James Flynn.”

    Explains how abstract thinking has expanded over the last century

    Phrenzy, 2022-09 · Recommendation · in “Why are so many adults acting just like children?”

Excerpts from Hacker News comments, linked to the originals. Summaries and labels were written by a language model from those comments.

Topics: iq, james flynn, abstract thinking, cognitive history, ted talk

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