Or are we just more abstract? It is a very complex issue, but the raw fact is that IQ scores show a long-term rising trend. James Flynn makes a good run at explaining what is going on in this 18 minute TED talk. In it, he makes three main points: (1) The number of cognitive workers has steadily increased over the past century. (2) All of this cognitive working out has improved our ability to think abstractly. (3) But unfortunately we're losing some of our grasp of basic history and facts, for reasons he leaves largely unprobed.
He does make some good points. I'll leave you to ponder while I get to the lab for another stimulating day of Krell-fu. [insert theremin sound effect here]
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