[ghgdynb1]

People have definitely gotten smarter. Here’s a small case which might help illustrate how this happens in general: We know infection with hookworms and other soil-transmitted helminths will do nasty things to the intelligence of the patient, especially for children. Since humanity got rich enough to build sewer systems and shoes and anti-parasitic drug companies, soil transmitted helminths have become a lot less of a problem (and the same goes for their cognitive effects).

[nwah1]

Iodine deficiency and leaded gasoline are other examples.

[wcarss]

I just learned about the awful effects of iodine deficiency and how incredibly widespread it once was the other day from a youtube suggestion[1] about iodized salt.

Previously I had thought iodization was mostly for preventing thyroid issues in the event of nuclear fallout, but no! It was a way bigger deal. For example, I had no idea it was the origin of the term "cretin"[2].

1 - https://youtu.be/B00K66HivcI

2 - https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cretin

[mrfusion]

Sadly a lot of salt in the stores now boasts iodine-free.

I actually had to buy the cheapest 99 cent salt shaker to get one with iodine and I add a few sprinkles to most of my kids meals. Just to be safe.

[LukeShu]

TIL that "cretin" and "Cretan" aren't the same word. I guess I'm glad to know that the etymology is ableist instead of racist.

[slibhb]

My dismissal was too strong but the article says "even the average person today would have been considered a genius compared to someone born in 1919". I find that incredibly hard to believe.

Even if average intelligence has climbed up, genius is about the absolute top of the heap and I doubt that has changed.

[faitswulff]

Isn't IQ a relative test, though? Doesn't this just mean that there's a growing intelligence gap between the average person and the most intelligent?