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.

    • A_A@lemmy.world
      1·
      18 days ago

      Lead was a much bigger problem in the 1970 when it was in road vehicles fuels. But now its only use in some small plane fuels. There is also much less use of lead paint and lead in water pipe systems.
      N.B. : Study in that article is about decline from 2010 until today in 15-year-olds.