This concept of a Dark Age was created by the Italian scholar Petrarch (Francesco Petrarca) in the 1330s and was originally intended as a sweeping criticism of the character of Late Latin literature. Later historians expanded the term to refer to the transitional period between Classical Roman Antiquity and the High Middle Ages, including not only the lack of Latin literature, but also a lack of contemporary written history, general demographic decline, limited building activity and material cultural achievements in general. Popular culture has further expanded on the term as a vehicle to depict the Middle Ages as a time of backwardness, extending its pejorative use and expanding its scope.

The rise of archaeology and other specialties in the 20th century has shed much light on the period and offered a more nuanced understanding of its positive developments. Other terms of periodization have come to the fore: Late Antiquity, the Early Middle Ages, and the Great Migrations, depending on which aspects of culture are being emphasized.
I think what we're starting to see now is another age in society, the age of over indulgence. It is easy to write off our ancestors as stupid but is that really the case? The human brain hasnā??t changed significantly over the last few thousand years. They would have had more restrictions to survive, raising crops and preparing for winter. The environment was tough and would have weeded out the stupid, gullible etc. Today we live more sheltered life away from the harsh environment of nature.