XPost: alt.fan.rush-limbaugh, talk.politics.guns, alt.politics.trump   
   XPost: sac.politics   
   From: gary730@blackrot.com   
      
   Generation Z may be the first generation to show lower average   
   intelligence quotient (IQ) and cognitive scores than previous   
   generations according to studies, said Tanjong Pagar GRC MP Foo Cexiang   
   in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 25).   
      
   "There have been studies that suggest that Gen Z may be the first   
   generation that shows lower average IQ and cognitive scores than   
   previous generations for attention, memory and literacy," Foo said   
   during the Budget 2026 debate.   
      
   Foo added that this dip in average IQ and cognitive scores may be   
   attributed to screen time, digital devices and social media.   
      
   "I have no doubt that AI (artificial intelligence) will compound these   
   challenges," he said. "We are only seeing the tip of the iceberg."   
      
   Generation Z, or Gen Z, is usually defined as those born between 1997 to   
   2012.   
      
   In his speech, Foo also expounded on his views towards national exams   
   and the "education arms race" that has resulted from the segregation of   
   students based on their performance.   
      
   "I do not think that this needs to be, or should be the case if 40 per   
   cent of our cohort are considered top performers in mathematics   
   globally," he said.   
      
   "The performance on the national exams should reflect as such - 40 per   
   cent of the cohort should get the top or top two grades in mathematics."   
      
   Explaining that he wasn't against giving students a challenge to   
   overcome or facilitating meritocracy, Foo said national exams should not   
   measure excellence, but competency instead.   
      
   Once students clear the threshold of competency, Foo said, they should   
   get the top grade without any further segregation.   
      
   Linking this discussion to AI, he posited that it is "even more   
   critical" that fundamental competencies must be achieved with Gen Z - in   
   order to do so, motivation is needed.   
      
   Foo said: "If our students are able to put in effort, and they can   
   achieve top grades with decent effort, I believe it will build up their   
   confidence, it will build up their interest and motivation for the   
   subject, and they will acquire a good competency which forms the solid   
   foundation and springboard for them to leverage the potential of AI.   
      
   "Without this foundation, AI may only serve to retard their cognitive   
   development," he added.   
      
   https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/gen-z-lower-average-iq-cognitive-scores   
   -foo-cexiang   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)