No, it's not just you — people really are, per a number of surveys, way less intelligent than they used to be.

I wonder if you could analyze internet discussions for an effect.

  • idiomaddict@lemmy.world
    51·
    1 day ago

    Lead paint is not going to enter my body, but that’s because I very rarely put unknown things in my mouth. Toddlers operate differently

    • AA5B@lemmy.world
      2·
      15 hours ago

      If you’re in a contaminated area, you’re contaminated. Hopefully not enough to make a difference if you don’t eat paint chips.

      • But smaller chips are part of the dust that gets everywhere.
      • Chips and stripped paint is part of the soil that may be pulled up into any vegetables grown in that soil.
      • heavy metals bioaccumulate so even small exposures over enough time can add up to a problem
      • it’s not just lead, mercury is notorious for bioaccumulating up the food chains for many seafoods