Well, there are two distinct questions here and I think the answer is yes to both. I think the human system as a whole is getting objectively more intelligent. As a result of our entire system becoming more intelligent, any one human in the system has the "option" to become more intelligent than any human that lived in the 19th or even 20th century (for example). And yes, I also think our increased options allow for a dramatic expansion of our consciousness. I think the reason this isn't obvious at the moment is because of our temporal isolation from the humans that lived before us. But the average human in any previous century would just not have had the knowledge, information, or options to contemplate reality and existence in the same way that we do now. I'm more confident in my assertion regarding intelligence, because in my theory it is something I have given more time. The commentary on enhanced consciousness is also, I believe, promising, but I would need to discuss it with some philosophers to be sure.
Explore what passed for literature in the seventeenth century, and show me today our Miltons, our Voltaires, Our Mexwells. Where we have gained breadth we lost depth. If you want to temporally un-isolate yourself, dive into William Durant's "The Story of Civilization" (or its like, though little will compare.)
I think the only difference is saturation. In the seventeenth century, having the ability to write, meaning to actually have the materials to do so, wasn't as ubiquitous as it is now. This privilege was reserved for those that were trained to write, had a proven knowledge for their subject etc. Today, anyone with a blog is a writer and therefore the talents of our "writers" seems diminished. However, my guess is that humanity has always and will always have with it fantastic writers, artists and great thinkers.
This is an unfair statement. I do not judge intelligence by the number of works someone subjectively deems as classical. I am attempting to understand the nature of systems intelligence. A cybernetic approach to understanding how intelligence manifests itself. I believe individual intelligence to be - to some degree - an illusion. Don't presume you know what I have, or have not read.Explore what passed for literature in the seventeenth century, and show me today our Miltons, our Voltaires, Our Mexwells. Where we have gained breadth we lost depth.
If you want to temporally un-isolate yourself