Are we getting smarter - or Just Faster? Intelligence in Transition

Dear Friends,

My paternal grandfather and the previous two generations before him were Ghanapatis in the Yajurveda. However, my father was introduced to it to some extent but was not able to master it. Of course, I am a totally lost kid in our generation. I realized that I am absolutely unfit in both recitation and memory!

I did a little research on how much memory and dedication are required to become a Ghanapati. Among the four Vedas (Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, Atharvaveda), the Yajurveda contains approximately 1,97,000 words, whereas Rigveda has ~153,000 words, Samaveda (~1,875 verses), and Atharvaveda (~120,000 words).

How big is the Yajurveda for comparison? It is approximately 650 pages of recitation. If I roughly calculate, it amounts to 22 hours of nonstop speaking (at an average speaking speed of 150 words per minute). Having said that, it is not just memorization — Ghana Patha is the highest and most complex method of chanting. It is a verbal permutation algorithm. They should be able to pick up from anywhere and recite in any combination!

It is unimaginable and inconceivable for me! I don’t even remember the names of 60 students in my class after teaching them for a full semester!! This is my current state of remembrance! You must be wondering why I am referring to my memory degradation here.
In 1984, political scientist James R. Flynn analyzed historical IQ data and discovered something surprising. Between 1932 and 1978, average IQ scores had increased by about 13–14 points, roughly 3 points per decade in many countries. On a lighter note, of course, I am an exception, as my IQ seems to have decreased! Or perhaps the test process covers different aspects that I am not aware of. I don’t have sufficient process knowledge; hence, I cannot comment further.

However, recently, Kiran Shah (Founder – Market Fit) posted an interesting note. The post argues that Gen Z is the first generation in over 100 years to show declining IQ, memory, attention, literacy, and numeracy scores compared to their parents, reversing the long-standing Flynn Effect.

It links this shift to the widespread adoption of smartphones around 2010 and increased screen time dominated by short-form, fast-scrolling content. The claim is that constant digital stimulation has weakened sustained attention and deep processing, leading to reduced cognitive endurance despite high confidence levels among Gen Z. That said, this trend could have serious implications for workplaces and future decision-making.

I am also experiencing this phenomenon among Gen Z students. As teachers, if we seize mobiles or ask students to stay away from them for a while, we experience different reactions. They are unable to sit for long hours. I still remember that during my college days, I used to prepare physical notes for myself and my friends. Sometimes, to make notes for one subject on A4 paper, I used to sit for 10–12 hours at a stretch. It was a strenuous process! We had to understand the textbook, translate it into our own notes, and write them on paper. Today, I do not see many students giving such deep attention to thinking and writing, especially in note-making.

Finally, whether IQ levels increased or decreased, the rate of behavioral change and decision-making has been hugely impacted between two technological transitions — Radio to Television vs. Television to Smartphone.

Now we are entering a new phase — intelligence supplied to smartphones by humans vs. smartphones driven by machine intelligence. Let us wait and witness the consequences.

Ravi Saripalle