Debate: Are People Getting Dumber?
Sometimes when you turn on the TV, it's hard not to wonder: Is humanity devolving?

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: People today lack common sense that cannot be taught.
Warrant 0: common sense has been in short supply since Eve
Warrant 1: common sense has not been in short supply since Eve
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: In highly respected publications there are numerous errors.
Warrant 0: people can catch the errors in publications when they are reading
Warrant 1: people cannot catch the errors in publications when they are reading
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: Technology and the economy have caused people to be less able to think for themselves.
Warrant 0: that saves our brain power to focus on more philosophical questions
Warrant 1: that drains our brain's power to focus on more philosophical questions
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: People today lack common sense that cannot be taught.
Warrant 0: common sense does not equate to intelligence
Warrant 1: common sense equates to intelligence
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: Technology and the economy have caused people to be less able to think for themselves.
Warrant 0: people are still proficient in the economy and technology
Warrant 1: people are less proficient in the economy and technology
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: People tend to watch pointless entertainment.
Warrant 0: entertainment has not always been pointless
Warrant 1: entertainment has always been pointless
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: Without incentive, they don't want to learn anything other than what they have to.
Warrant 0: television does not provide incentives by showing examples
Warrant 1: television provides incentives by showing examples
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: People are not using their intelligence to the best of his or her ability anymore.
Warrant 0: technology doesn't utilize different parts of the brain
Warrant 1: technology utilizes a different part of the brain
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: People are not using their intelligence to the best of his or her ability anymore.
Warrant 0: they did in the past
Warrant 1: they never did in the past
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: People today lack common sense that cannot be taught.
Warrant 0: there have not always been people who lack common sense in society.
Warrant 1: there have always been people who lack common sense in society.
Correct warrant: 0

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: We are less informed and aren't motivated to be informed.
Warrant 0: it's smart to not waste a bunch of time being informed
Warrant 1: it's smart to spend a bunch of time being informed
Correct warrant: 1

Claim: People are getting dumber
Reason: People tend to watch pointless entertainment.
Warrant 0: they are no different from the Romans watching gladiators
Warrant 1: they are no better than the Romans watching gladiators
Correct warrant: 1