The Flynn Effect basically explains the trend of rising intelligence over the past several decades. SAT scores have fluctuated over the years, but "fluid" intelligence has no doubt been on the rise.Although IQ scores have remained about the same, the tests have become increasingly difficult, so that the "average" score remains the same, when in reality to get an average score today would place you well above average decades ago. Johnson attributes this directly to the rising complexity of modern popular culture, the sleeper curve. I find it hard to disagree with this hypothesis for a few reasons, some being obvious, and others not so obvious.
So the average person today is smarter than the average person would have been decades ago, so what? This could be because of anything really, but if you relate this trend of rising IQ directly to the Sleeper Curve, the results go hand in hand. As popular culture becomes more intellectually demanding, people get smarter. Its illogical to think of it the other way around; several tests have proven that people who play PC and video games have much better problem solving skills and spacial recognition. An example of this would be the game Heavy Rain, for the PS3. In this game, you are required to follow the deep and intricate storyline of 4 unique characters, while simultaneously making snap decisions, each effecting what happens next in the storyline. Honestly, I didn't care for the game, but I cannot disagree that it requires a lot of complex problem solving, deep thought, and fast decision making. There is no doubt in my mind that someone who is able to play this game well would also score high on an IQ test.
Another obvious example of this is the television show Lost. Just following the plot(correctly, anyways) alone requires huge amounts of concentration, memory, and deciphering. The popularity of this show proves that people have these abilities and popular culture utilizes them Personally, I can't stand the show, but there is no doubt in my mind that if this show was introduced to the Average Joe of the 60's, he would be... lost.
Not only movies and video games tie these 2 effects together, but music as well. For example, most Tool albums subliminally encourage listeners to find out what the singers lyrics actually mean, and if you go even deeper, the way the music is played and the way the tracks are laid out quite often have significant meanings that are just waiting to be discovered by the listener.
You can argue that this is just coincidence and that the media has nothing to do with the rise of modern day intelligence, but my mind is made up. As someone who was raised on video games, and still plays them often, I am a firm believer that most games are not only intellectually stimulating, but also makes the people that play them more intelligent.
