Human capability peaked before 1975 and has since declined

Bruce Charlton's Miscellany ^ | June 22, 2010 | Bruce Charlton

[xjcsa]

I suspect that human capability reached its peak or plateau around 1965-75 – at the time of the Apollo moon landings – and has been declining ever since.

This may sound bizarre or just plain false, but the argument is simple. That landing of men on the moon and bringing them back alive was the supreme achievement of human capability, the most difficult problem ever solved by humans. 40 years ago we could do it – repeatedly – but since then we have *not* been to the moon, and I suggest the real reason we have not been to the moon since 1972 is that we cannot any longer do it. Humans have lost the capability.

[Weird Tolkienish Figure]

Go to the moon? How on earth can we do that when we have to fight poverty and global warming?!?! There are environmental impact statements to be made.

[2ndDivisionVet]

No, it’s the Alien Moon Base that’s kept us from going back:
http://www.consciousape.com/news/moonbase-are-there-aliens-on-the-moon/

LOL

[2aberro]

Well the proof is in the White House...

[Cyber Ninja]

"Humans have lost the capability."

Bravo Sierra

[Attention Surplus Disorder]

Peak human?

[Dilbert San Diego]

Yep, we have to devote “resources” to “fight poverty”, “fight racism”, “fight gender bias”, allow “homosexual marriage”, promote “economic justice” and “social justice”. A moon landing and space exploration are trivial compared to the problems of the poor and downtrodden and “ghetto” conditions under which the poor and downtrodden are forced to live by a sinister exploitative system.................(sarcasm)

[fish hawk]

And looking at the younger generation, I don't think it will stop declining in the near future. I blame it on our socialistic, union , commie loving teachers. ( and don't forget idiotic parents that vote for inexperienced Chicago street thugs, and teach their children the same)

[Scott from the Left Coast]

It’s not that we’ve lost capability...it’s that our politics have become more and more stupid as time has gone on. Our time, energy and intellect is spent [wasted] solving “problems” that don’t really exist as directed by the political forces seeking permanent establishment at the top of the heap.

[Gordon Greene]

“Bravo Sierra”

Nah... read the article. The premise is sensational, I suspect to draw attention to the piece, but the guy is right-on with his observation.

[xkaydet65]

A bit hyperbolic in assuming that human capacity has reached its zenith.Re. the Moon Pgm. It was difficult, but well within the abilities of the scientists, engineers, and existing technology of the time

Why we haven't been back is multifold.One of course is politics and spending. A second is education.Having just retired after 38 years in the classroom I recall the many arguments I have had over curriculum and methods.I always reminded my colleagues that we went to the Moon, led by men whose early education was in a world of rote, screw down desks and inkwells.I illlustrated the point using the ApolloXIII scene where the engineers have to find a way to scrub the CO2. They're told two parts have to be connected and are given only the materials at hand in Aquarius.Modern education has not been able to develop people to match the critical thinking and problem solving skills shown by the NASA and Grumman enginners in Apollo XIII. That's why we seem to have stagnated intellectually. It's not nature. It's nurture.

[Frenchtown Dan]

Ridiculous.

Since the Apollo landings on the moon we have launched many historic explorations into space that have proven our intelligence and progress in space exploration.

Right now, the Cassini mission is discovering amazing new and interesting things that we never even knew existed.

While zerobama’s budget cuts for further manned moon exploration are a huge dissapointment, it has no real bearing on what we are capable of.

[x]

Taken in itself, the idea that human beings have become less capable over the last 35 years is intriguing.

But the notion that we're less capable because we haven't colonized the moon is flimsy.

We only went there to begin with because of the Cold War space race.

We'll go back if we have to or if we think it's worthwhile.

[Psycho_Bunny]

I think he’s right and wrong but mostly wrong.

[dfwgator]

Idiocracy was a documentary.

[The Comedian]

I completely believe this.

However, it can be explained culturally, that is, the 3rd world tards who have been encouraged to come here, breed, and get teaching degrees would certainly have the same effect.

For example, there is no Mexican or Muslim invasion of China, and they are arguably getting "smarter" (what's actually happening is their application of capitalism has increased).

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Age of Reason]

the real reason we have not been to the moon since 1972 is that we cannot any longer do it.

Tell you what, Pal.

If the government raises your taxes high enough that you pay for it, then you can go to the moon.

[arthurus]

It is from a generally very interesting site. I will spend some time there, I think.

[wally_bert]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEueJnsu80

[devere]

Not to say that humanity doesn’t have serious problems, but I think “been there, done that” is a more plausible explanation.

I’ve been to San Francisco twice, and have no desire to go there again. But I do still retain the capability.