Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813

These days you have to wonder if people are getting dumber. A study done in Norway is the source for much of this discussion. We’ll talk about it in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

IQ Down Eight Points

The Norwegian study says IQ scores of young men have been decreasing for three generations. IQ scores in this study are down as much as 8 points. More in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

‘Merica Below Average

A recent study to assess adult competencies places Americans below international averages. Moreover the study shows Americans have problems problem solving in a technology rich environment. For example, making change and sorting email.

Why Are We Dumber?

Especially relevant is the discussion of what the decline in IQ scores is due to. Is it the environment? Our diet? Technology? Should we be measuring intelligence differently? Grading on a curve? We’ll talk about it in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

Flat Earth, Sovereign Citizens and Vegans

I take a look at some features of our society that make me wonder. From Flat Earther’s to Sovereign Citizens, Vegans and people who are convinced the world has 12 years of existence left. (Big fun to be had watching Sovereign Citizens getting owned. Click here.)

Social Media Makes You Dumb. Among Other Things.

The most noteworthy example of lower intelligence is social media. Certainly this is one of my favorite punching bags. Furthermore one needs only to spend half an hour scanning Twitter or FaceBook to become convinced of the demise of Western Civilization.

Cause Science, Dude

Finally Science is usually the go to defense for almost any assertion. Truth is, science is often wrong, and for decades. I was surprised by the number of smart people fooled by ‘science’ and the findings of ‘scientists’.

How Do We Get Smarter?

In conclusion the real question is how do we get smarter? I did some research and certainly diet and exercise are big factors. So are certain activities including community, working with others and being open to new ideas. For men, raising testosterone levels can’t hurt either. I’ll give you a list to think about in Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813.

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Are We Getting Dumber-Bob Davis Podcast 813

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Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812

You have to be careful what you say these days. Moreover if you’re a content creator advertising what you say on social media, you face a thicket of protocols and rules. Better to talk about Rainbows, Unicorns and Pixie Dust. That is what we do in Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812.

The Russians

Most noteworthy is the reason for all these new rules and regulations. The Russians!

Social Media Pressure

Since Russia allegedly employed thousands of bots to sway the vote for Donald Trump, something has to be done! Pressure on the big social media companies is immense. At the center of that pressure is FaceBook.

FaceBook’s Advertiser Rules Gauntlet

I ran the gauntlet of FaceBook rules recently. As a Podcaster my content generally focuses on Society and Politics. I am a commentator and reporter. I do not advertise or endorse candidate, parties or positions. Even more party political organizations, pressure groups or candidates do not pay for podcasts and do not control my content.

Withdrawing Advertising

I tried to advertise a podcast recently that objectively reviewed GDP numbers for our economy. FaceBook’s silly rules put me in an impossible position. As a result I withdrew my advertising. Learn more in Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812.

Era Of FaceBook Over?

Finally it seems to me that FaceBook is increasingly clunky. Difficult to use. Consequently I think it’s time advertisers recognize the user experience on FaceBook is rapidly deteriorating. Some advertising executives have even suggested the era of FaceBook is over.

Rules Do Not Always Protect

In conclusion what is the responsibility of the user? Yes, I support the idea that we should be identifiable as real users. However unfortunately speech control often ends up hurting people instead of protecting them.

Much better to drape yourself in Rainbows, Unicorns and Pixie Dust.

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Rainbows-Unicorns-Pixie Dust-Bob Davis Podcast 812

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Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

Get ready. A sustained disinformation attack on the top democrat presidential candidates is already in progress. That’s the new story line. These days you can’t be sure. We’ll talk about it in Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809.

Breaking News From Politico

Most noteworthy is a series of stories Politico has done about ‘hacking’ the US electoral process. The latest is an article which sources data analysts and other experts. Especially relevant? A new charge by experts. Russia is back to its old tricks.

We take a look at the story and the charge in In Russia Targets American Politics Again?

A Wide Ranging Effort

Natasha Korecki says her Politico story shows a wide ranging effort aimed at Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. She reports certainly it is up and running with signs foreign state actors are behind some of it.

It’s Happening Again

According to Politico Weaponized Propaganda picks at the most sensitive issues in our public discourse. Furthermore that propaganda is being pushed across a variety of platforms. It’s happening again.

Wait! Not All Of It Is Organized!

Wait though. Not all the activity is organized. In contrast, a lot of it appears to be regular Joe’s sharing stuff they think is funny or relevant on their feeds.

Sources For Politico Article Include Democrat Operatives

Finally sources for this story include Brett Horvath who has worked for the Mayor of Seattle as well as other operatives who have worked for democrats including Hillary Clinton. Or companies like Storyful who spy on reporters.

No Conclusive Evidence

Even more Korecki writes researchers and others cannot conclusively point to actors behind “the coordinated activity”.

We’re All Trolls Now

Maybe I’m churlish but it seems to me the writer, sources and Politico itself are getting a lot of mileage out of this. The principles in the story are sharing the story on their own feeds. Just slightly Troll Like, don’t you think? Maybe the Russians have switched sides this time!

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Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

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