The Intelligence from The Economist Minds blown: are we getting dumber?
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Dec 13, 2024 
Join Anne Rowe, Obituaries editor, and Duncan Weldon, Economics correspondent, as they tackle a striking revelation: adults are performing worse in literacy and numeracy tests than average ten-year-olds! They discuss the implications of this alarming trend and how it reflects on educational systems. The conversation takes a detour into the precarious state of Russia's economy, balancing challenges like high interest rates and reliance on China. Plus, a light-hearted quiz tests adult knowledge against child-level questions, leaving listeners both puzzled and amused!
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Declining Adult Skills
- Many adults struggle with basic literacy and numeracy, performing no better than 10-year-olds.
- This issue is worsening despite rising education levels, impacting job prospects, health, and political engagement.
Russia's Economic Tipping Point
- Russia's economy, initially boosted by war spending, faces strain from rising interest rates (21%).
- High rates aim to control inflation and support the ruble, crucial for importing military supplies from China.
Eichmann's Jailer
- Shalom Nagar, an Israeli prison officer, guarded and ultimately executed Adolf Eichmann.
- The experience deeply traumatized Nagar, but he later found peace by viewing his act as a mitzvah.