Dumb and dumber

6 Jan 2011 - It is not something we like to admit easily, but it seems that the human race may actually becoming increasingly dumb. Man's brain has been gradually shrinking over the last 20,000 years from 1,500 cubic centimeters to 1,350 cubic centimeters - losing a chunk the size of a tennis ball. The female brain has shrunk by about the same proportion. Luckily, most scientists believe that the fact the size of teh brain is decreasing does not mean our intelligence is in decline as well. Some believe that our brains are smaller but increasingly efficient. There are several theories for the shrinking brain. One is that big heads were necessary to survive prehistoric life, which involved cold, outdoor activities. Another theory believes that skulls developed to cope with a chewy diet of rabbits, reindeer, foxes and horses. As our food is now much easier to chew, our heads stopped growing. There is - however - hope. A recent study found out that our brain is on the rise again. Maybe we get smarter at last.