If you are comparing modern-day man against a man from 2000 years ago, then of course we are getting smarter and more knowledgeable. However, if you are comparing us to generations from within the last 50 years, then I'd say we are getting more stupid, but more knowledgeable.

Then again, there's always going to be exceptions to the rule. Comparing teenagers now to teenagers of the 1970s and todays' teenagers are a lot more knowledgeable, but probably not as bright. So in terms of IQ, I'd say we're getting less intelligent.

I think the next development in human intellectual capacity first needs to adapt to the changing human technological environment. My area of specialty is Neural Engineering; we are only beginning to discover the potential of the brain.

In my own opinion, given what I know and what I have seen, I think our minds are under a radical development. You can see the variable amounts of learning syndromes occurring throughout the population, especially cases of ADD and Autism.

Although the latest DSM has started reclassifying the diagnostics for autism, I believe that what we now observe as disorders may in-fact be the early steps of the brains transformation.

Evolution, as we know it, has no stopping point- at least from a biological perspective. So, at the very least, our species is developing to accommodate our new lifestyle. I think our brains will see a reasonable increase in grey matter within 1000 years; also an enlarging of various sectors of the brain (especially those related to multi-tasking, learning, and spatial reasoning).

We're a species that has only recently stepped into a new 'playground' of evolution. One that is measured not by predatory relationships, but an over-abundance of technological capacity.

I wish I could live long enough just to see our state of being in 100,000 years. It will be amazing!

Btw, I am a Ph.d. Neural Engineer and Medical Doctor. If anyone is in Hong Kong or South China and wants to discuss these topics, I'm available. I regularly circulate throughout HK, Guangzhou, and Shanghai. Cheers! =) 

Better at technology and science etc.

Definitely more stupid in common sense.

Stick a modern day great scientiest out in the wild and he'll die eventually. But then again I'm being a scientist myself coming up with this theory.

However I am in no way saying I am any better as I am a human too and we all have to take the fall for whatever the hell happened.

DEPENDENCIES IN A DIFFERENT LIGHT I guess.

Humans are humans. I think that the amount of "stupid" people has not increased, but that it is more obvious. Anyone can post whatever they like online, and perhaps, people feel like they can speak their minds more often in daily life as well. We also have science to tell us the "facts," and compared to what is fact, maybe other statements sound more stupid. There has been and always will be "stupid" people and 'smart" people, since these words are relative. Perhaps our very definition of intelligence and stupidity has changed, and it's also different depending on the culture and country. How can you even compare the intelligence of people in the past to those of today? What measures do you use for that? What test could there possibly be that would measure the intelligence between those of different countries, let alone different times. What survey would be accurate enough.

As a side note, I truly believe that diet has a huge impact, not only on health, but also brain function. Of course, environment also has a lot to do with it. I suppose that intelligence would be measured by how a person uses the knowledge that they know, but how would that be measured, and is it in any way usable or comparable?

please remember..Stupids are always Stupids...and Smart can be smarter and smartes..

As you can see by the array of answers here, "stupid" is subject to situations and perspective.

A Savant is someone who is considered a natural genius in one specific area, but displays low to average intelligence in other areas.  Would this person be considered "stupid"?

In terms of "are people less intelligent" than they were 2,000 years ago, I would have to say no.  The people 2,000 years ago had a much smaller amount of information to process.  When you are fighting for your survival, you tend to get very focused and very innovative.  But like the Savant, is being good in one area considered intelligent in general?

People today have access to way more information that people just 30 years ago.  We are forced to multi-task more, forced to thing of things in a broad perspective rather than a macro one.

So while we may not have more focused intelligence than in the past, I do believe that we are more intelligent overall on a broader spectrum than in the past.

And as MasqueX said, evolution doesn't stop.  It adapts, we change physically and mentally.  So comparing someone of today to someone of 2 millenia past, is not a fair comparisson.

I could see that, nature gives you what you need. Though we now know much more, I could see the bare intellect being compromised as it isn't needed like it used to be. So many modern conveniences have done away with the need to use our brains on a daily basis. 

This day and age most people have access to the internet. Everyone gets to let their voices be heard, whether they be intelligent or moronic. 20 years ago I would not have suspected so many stupid people exist in one place. Now we are reminded of it daily.

There have always been brilliant people Socrates, Leonardo, Einstein and they will continue. There will also be mattys.

China has about 20% of the worlds population. It makes up for the difference in legs.

What does this post have to do with a China forum?