I would say that technology doesn't make one smarter, but if you know how to use it your are more knowledgeable in its use. For example I am usually the one called when my Mum has a problem with the PC. But it doesn't mean I am smarter. The problem with this question is that smartness/intelligence/cleverness are actually very hard to define. I don't know the first thing about the mating rituals of the African elephant, but does that make someone who does more clever than me? I can usually understand new concepts, especially in science, fairly easily when they are explained to me, whereas most other people may still not understand them. In my opinion this takes intelligence. So for example, the concepts of blood pressure homeostasis is to me very easy to understand. However, my memory isn't that good, so remembering six months later for an exam the name of the nerve that transmits signals from the aortic sinus to the brain can be difficult, even though I still know how the system works. Additionally, you could be a muclear physicist who speaks 7 languages fluently and can play all the instruments in an orchestra, but still be completely clueless about how to replace a car wheel, or even how to drive, which takes intelligence (though someitmes you wouldn't know it) involving spatial awareness, proprioception (knowing over which pedal your foot is over without looking), speed and distance judgements and multitasking. So this question is really hard to answer truthfully. However, I'm quite big-headed so I'm going to say yes.

Im not smarter i just seem it because i am in school and im doing a lot of work [especially because im doing my junior cert]

Given techology and education,we become more capable than our parents,but may not be smarter. No doubt that most of us gained more knowledge and master more skills than the scientists in ancient times.Are we all smarter than the ancient scholar?Definitely not. My point is,everyone can learn,but few can innovate.

I don't believe that I am smarter than my parents in particular. However, if I look back 5 and 6 generations, I realize that my forebears were far more survivable than I would be in their circumstances tody ... that may not be so smart, so I am thinking more and more about back to basics!

Hi, this is the questioner. Thanks for all the thoughtful answers. It's good to hear the respect you have for your parents. Now, if I had asked my three sons, aged 21-25, this question, I somehow think the answers might not have been as enlightening!

Intelligence or "smartness" is difficult to qualify. There are myriad of categories that a human can be smart in. I assume our intelligence looks something like this: - ----- ------------------------------------- -- ---------- ------------. (going on and on for quite a while) with each line representing a different area of intelligence or talent. If that were the beginning of my chart, the first line could be for my low math skills; second line organization; third kindness to other humans (hopefully)...and on and on. So in this respect, how smart you are is not determined by technologies outside of ourselves: intelligence is determined predominately by the genes one was born. But also, human effort can come into play. For instance, just because my genes say I should NOT be playing the piano*, I also have free will and perhaps I can work and work and ultimately acquire some skills in that area. On the other hand, I DEFINITELY believe that the technology has given us immense access to swift "knowledge." But knowledge and intelligence are two separate things. An example of this difference is that, if I am five years old and just learning how to read, I might have three full sets of encyclopedia britanicas at my disposal. The knowledge is there but I haven't yet the intelligence to make use of it. The same would be true of a full-grown adult who has special mental health issues and lives in a assisted living situation. If they have an encyclopedia, they might even have the ability to read the words aloud, remember and memorize them. However, if they don't understand the sense of the sentence, then they have access to knowledge without intelligence. A less extreme example might be: a normal, non-scientific human like myself who has read over and over about Einstein's thought experiments. I can recite some theorems and formulas from memory. I have the knowledge yet not the intelligence to understand all that I have read. Imho, the knowledge we gain from having so much information available does not make us smarter. It provides us with extra, external brains, like more filing cabinets where we can stor more and more information. But then we have to be able to USE the information. And it's the ability to use information that equates with human intellect. *Perhaps my genes have given me: stubby fingers, a tin ear, poor sense of rhythm, and legs so short I can't reach the pedal.

It seems to me that a lot of times, technology can just be plain confusing. Everyone has a different capacity, a certain amount of knowledge that they can keep on the front burner. Technology affects smartness, depending upon how you use it. As for education, it certantly has improved recently. That definately affects smartness. All in all, I think that it greatly depends on how you use the technology and your education.

My father was one who spoke very little, and listened alot, so when he spoke, he had very wise things to say. I have to say we have an advantage to what we can learn now, but I don't think I will ever be as wise as my father! My mother was very street smart, something you could not teach in school. She was always my friend, along side being my teacher, and mom. So the answer, is no. (I hope it is ok to answer this, after the questioner made his/her comment.)

In certain areas, yes. My father dropped out of high school to join the US Navy when he was 17 years old. But he knew much more than me about automotive maintenance, taxes, carpentry, accounting and many more subjects than I do.

Not at all. Technology doesn't make people smarter or more intelligent. IN fact technology often separates people from using their brain, keeps them closer to the 'box' so they only think one way.

I would say I have more book learnin' than either of my parents. However, they're both 'smarter' than me regarding a lot of general stuff about life and how to do things. Intelligence is all relative.

Good question! I don't think that I am smarter that my parents. I do know that I have the same education as my Dad (HS grad) and my Mom spent a couple of years in college. As to technology, my Dad was smart enough to get a computer for me in 1975. He wouldn't touch it but he had the forsight to know that it was the next big thing. I also learned a lot of basic sense from him. I learned good work ethinc from both, and I learned to keep a level head from my Mom. I can only say that I got the best characterists from both, and respect them for raising me the way they did.

I'm not sure I'll ever be as smart as my dad or as strong as my mom. My dad has skill when it comes to computers and other technologies. My mom has strength when it comes to being pregnant. She's been pregnant a lot and she's still alive. If I really stop and think about the strengths of both of my parents combined, I'd probably truly be amazed.

At some things...everyone has things they are "smarter" at....

Nope. My dad got into computers for his business when he was over 50. He would buy the parts, build them, and install all the software for his office people. He knew a LOT about the insides of a computer where I can hook stuff up, but he knows (usually) what's best for them. Now, at 75, he uses one every day for his finances and keeping in touch with family and friends. I usually know more about the programs, but he's pretty damn sharp for a guy that never went to college!

Definitly smarter than them when it comes to video games or computers or an newer electronics...

My dad went to UCLA and my stepmother went to Harvard. :(

At some things, but like, when we're watching Jeopardy, they always know more answers than me.

in those two fields yes, but lifes lessons are still coming thick and fast, and I think my dad had learnt a fair few in his time, enough to pass on the good ones !

No. They were cleverer and achieved a great deal more from a lot less. Their only mistake was to spoil me.

I don't know about being smarter, but certainly better educated, yes.

no, i think they were smarter than me