Are We Getting Stupider?

There is graffiti all over Pompeii.

Researchers didn’t notice it at first, but when they took a closer look at the tiny marks covering Pompeii walls, they realized they were little scribbles.

Graffiti isn’t just written on bathroom walls or student desks; it’s etched into almost every stone wall and house in Pompeii, perfectly preserved by the ash from Mount Vesuvius.

Inscriptions include “Gaius Pumidius Diphilus was here,” insults like “Sanius to Cornelius: Go hang yourself!”, and declarations of love like “Health to you, Victoria, and wherever you are may you sneeze sweetly.” [1]

There’s one inscription that has really excited excavators recently. For centuries, historians believed that Vesuvius had erupted in August, 79 AD based on a letter written by a Roman to his friend 25 years after the disaster occurred. However, this particular graffiti was dated to October 17th, dating the eruption much later in the year. It’s believed to be written by a builder mid-construction project, written about a week before the eruption.

You know what it read?

“Here, I overindulged in food -October 17” -Unknown [2]

When I look at people throughout history it’s easy to believe they were different than us- more serious, less humorous, kinder, more evil, or less civilized.

Pompeii shows us that humans really haven’t changed in 2000 years. Only our surroundings and circumstances have.

Lately with the coronavirus I've seen a lot of people complain that people have gotten stupider, more selfish, and society has deteriorated. It's not true. We'll get through this like we always have with even better technology and medical knowledge.