1) What kind of student were you at school?2) 2) What are some of the greatest achievements,

inventions, and innovations of mankind? Make a list with your classmates.

3) 3) In what ways, if any, are you superior to a caveman?

Are humans getting dumber?

Text: “Humans Getting Dumber”

Given the technological advances we have witnessed in our lifetimes, it seems ridiculous to argue that humans are getting dumber. This is, however, what Stanford University researcher Gerald Crabtree has suggested. In two recent articles, he writes:

“I would be willing to wager that if an average citizen of Athens of 1000 BC were to appear suddenly among us, he or she would be among the brightest and most intellectually alive of our colleagues and companions. We would be surprised by their memory, broad range of ideas and clear-sighted view of important issues. I would also guess that they would be among the most emotionally stable of our friends and colleagues."

Text: “Humans Getting Dumber”

Crabtree’s thesis is based on the idea that our genes must be functioning at full capacity to optimize intellectual and emotional behavior. He contends that our intelligence may have peaked before our hunter-gatherer ancestors left Africa. At that time, due to selective pressures, humans evolved to have genes that maximized brainpower. Since then, selective pressures have decreased. This has made it possible for several 'genetic mutations’ that hinder our intellectual and emotional capabilities to survive.

Text: “Humans Getting Dumber”

Despite these "two or more" harmful mutations, Crabtree believes that technology will allow humans to compensate for these mutations in the future. "We have a long time to solve it. People 300 years ago had no idea where we'd be scientifically now," he says. "We'll be able to deal with this problem with a range of humane and ethical solutions.”

Critics say there is insufficient data to support Crabtree's thesis. Others, such as psychology professor Eyal Reingold, argue that the modern-day threats to intelligence are not genetic but environment-based. These threats, rooted in our upbringing and socialization, are the cause of school bullying and children bringing guns to school, according to Reingold.

Vocabulary

Questions:

According to Crabtree, how would an Athenian from 1000 BC differ from a modern man?

What does Crabtree believe has caused this decline in intelligence?

True or False: Crabtree believes the decline will continue indefinitely.

Give two criticisms of Crabtree’s thesis.

A. Given sth.

B. optimize

C. wager

D. contend

E. peak (verb)

F. ancestor

1. bet

2. taking into account a fact, factor, etc,; considering

3. say sth is true, especially in an argument

4. make sth as good as it can be

5. a person in your family who lived before you

6. reach the highest point

A. Mutation

B. hinder(verb)

C. compensate for

D. humane

E. rooted in sth

1. prevent sb from easily doing/achieving sth

2. change in genetic material

3. provide sth good to balance or reduce the bad effects of damage

4. showing kindness by making sure people/animals don't suffer unnecessarily

5. developed by sth or strongly influenced by it

Create sentences using the following words:

1. Given / population2. Wager / ancestors3. Optimize / performance4. Scientist / contend5. Peak / civilization6. Mutation / hinder7. Compensate / stupidity8. Technology / humane9. Problems / rooted

Debate: Humans Getting Dumber

Person 1: build an argument to support Crabtree’s idea.

Person 2: build a counterargument against Crabtree’s idea.

Think of examples.Use persuasive language.

1. What is the gene pool?

2. How important is it to you that you pass on your genes, i.e. have children?

3. What are potentially deadly things that you encounter every day?

4. What is black humour?

The Darwin Awards

The Darwin Awards

According to DarwinAwards.com, the Darwin Awards "commemorate individuals who

protect our gene pool by making the ultimate sacrifice of their own lives.

“Darwin Award winners eliminate themselves in an extraordinarily idiotic manner, thereby improving our species' chances of long-term

survival.”The award is always bestowed posthumously.

The Darwin Awards

South Carolina:An armed robber used gold spray paint to

disguise his face and then raided a convenience store. The paint released toxic

fumes and the man collapsed and died shortly after the robbery. To add insult to injury, the

disguise didn't work — witnesses easily identified the 23-year-old.

The Darwin Awards

England:The police found the body of a 33-year old man

in the hallway of his house. He had bled to death from stab wounds to the chest, and a

knife was found near the body. His wife, who was away on holiday at the time of the

incident, later revealed that her husband had been wondering if the jacket was ‘stab-

proof.’ Apparently, it was not.

The Darwin Awards

Florida:A man was stuck in a traffic jam when ‘nature called’. He got out of his car and jumped over a concrete wall to find a more secluded spot. Little did he know he was parked on top of a

bridge. He fell 65 feet to his death.

Role Play

The Darwin Awards

Are the Darwin Awards cruel?What is the purpose of life according to a

biologist? What is it according to you?What do we mean by survival of the fittest?Do you think society would benefit if we let

loose a handful of wild and dangerous animals (e.g. grizzly bears, hippos) into urban

areas?