Smarter and dumber.

Nicolas Kristof has written an op-ed in today's "New York Times" on how the IQ of humanity has increased over time.

The trend of rising intelligence is called "The Flynn Effect." Kristof writes, "the average American I.Q. has been rising steadily by 3 points a decade. Spaniards have gained 19 points over 28 years and the Dutch 20 points over 30 years. Kenyan children gained nearly 1 point a year."

You can read Kristof's op-ed here: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/13/opinion/kristof-its-a-smart-smart-smart-world.html?hp&_r=0

Let's assume Flynn and Kristof are right.

Now let me tell you why we might be smarter but we're acting dumber.

This will be an analogy.

Twenty years ago if you were sitting with a group of friends and decided to go to dinner, the conversation would unfold like this:

"Hey, let's go to Angelo's for dinner."

"That sounds great."

"No, we always go to Angelo's. Paul told me about this new place, let's try it."

And the friends would. Risking nothing more than a few bucks.

Today, the same conversation is being crushed by information.

"Hey, let's go to Angelo's for dinner."

"That sounds great."

"No, we always go to Angelo's. Paul told me about this new place, let's try it."

"I'm not sure. Someone on Yelp! said the veal was lukewarm."

"It only gets a 19 on Zagat's."

"But they loved it on Menu Pages."

"Eater.com loves it!"

"Urban spoon says it's mediocre."

"Trip Advisor gives it two thumbs up."

And so, as Vonnegut said, it goes.

Eventually, cold pizza is served.

Paralysis by information.