Discussion:
If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
(too old to reply)
mg
2018-03-09 22:33:33 UTC
Permalink
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------

"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?

By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011

. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .

Which brings us to an unpleasant possibility. “You may not want to
hear this,” says cognitive scientist David Geary of the University of
Missouri, “but I think the best explanation for the decline in our
brain size is the idiocracy theory.” Geary is referring to the
eponymous 2006 film by Mike Judge about an ordinary guy who becomes
involved in a hibernation experiment at the dawn of the 21st century.
When he wakes up 500 years later, he is easily the smartest person on
the dumbed-down planet. “I think something a little bit like that
happened to us,” Geary says. In other words, idiocracy is where we are
now.
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-modern-humans-smart-why-brain-shrinking




--------------------------------
Never underestimate the power of
stupid people in large groups.
rumpelstiltskin
2018-03-10 02:33:51 UTC
Permalink
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
Which brings us to an unpleasant possibility. “You may not want to
hear this,” says cognitive scientist David Geary of the University of
Missouri, “but I think the best explanation for the decline in our
brain size is the idiocracy theory.” Geary is referring to the
eponymous 2006 film by Mike Judge about an ordinary guy who becomes
involved in a hibernation experiment at the dawn of the 21st century.
When he wakes up 500 years later, he is easily the smartest person on
the dumbed-down planet. “I think something a little bit like that
happened to us,” Geary says. In other words, idiocracy is where we are
now.
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-modern-humans-smart-why-brain-shrinking
Maybe TV is the explanation? I have the TV on right now,
playing classical music at the moment, but I have also been
watching reruns of "That '70's Show" and "Mama's Family".
mg
2018-03-11 11:39:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by rumpelstiltskin
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
Which brings us to an unpleasant possibility. “You may not want to
hear this,” says cognitive scientist David Geary of the University of
Missouri, “but I think the best explanation for the decline in our
brain size is the idiocracy theory.” Geary is referring to the
eponymous 2006 film by Mike Judge about an ordinary guy who becomes
involved in a hibernation experiment at the dawn of the 21st century.
When he wakes up 500 years later, he is easily the smartest person on
the dumbed-down planet. “I think something a little bit like that
happened to us,” Geary says. In other words, idiocracy is where we are
now.
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-modern-humans-smart-why-brain-shrinking
Maybe TV is the explanation? I have the TV on right now,
playing classical music at the moment, but I have also been
watching reruns of "That '70's Show" and "Mama's Family".
Lately, I've been watching a lot of TV, too, and I imagine that a
person loses about two IQ points per year, as a result. So, I suppose
that for most retirees that would result in an IQ of about 80 after 10
years and 70 after 15 years.

. . . Ummm, you don't suppose that you and I have finally stumbled
across the real problem with this newsgroup, do you? :-) :-)
rumpelstiltskin
2018-03-11 13:19:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by mg
Post by rumpelstiltskin
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
Which brings us to an unpleasant possibility. “You may not want to
hear this,” says cognitive scientist David Geary of the University of
Missouri, “but I think the best explanation for the decline in our
brain size is the idiocracy theory.” Geary is referring to the
eponymous 2006 film by Mike Judge about an ordinary guy who becomes
involved in a hibernation experiment at the dawn of the 21st century.
When he wakes up 500 years later, he is easily the smartest person on
the dumbed-down planet. “I think something a little bit like that
happened to us,” Geary says. In other words, idiocracy is where we are
now.
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-modern-humans-smart-why-brain-shrinking
Maybe TV is the explanation? I have the TV on right now,
playing classical music at the moment, but I have also been
watching reruns of "That '70's Show" and "Mama's Family".
Lately, I've been watching a lot of TV, too, and I imagine that a
person loses about two IQ points per year, as a result. So, I suppose
that for most retirees that would result in an IQ of about 80 after 10
years and 70 after 15 years.
. . . Ummm, you don't suppose that you and I have finally stumbled
across the real problem with this newsgroup, do you? :-) :-)
No, I guess it's people dying off. Right now I have two
people I've had killfiled for a long time moved to "provisionally
accept", because they don't seem to be posting anymore.
If they don't post soon, I'll remove them so as to shorten
the length of my killfile. The guy (possible kid) who could't
post without obscenites and insults, who was here briefly
under several "nyms" a couple of weeks ago, seems to be
gone now.
El Castor
2018-03-11 19:08:34 UTC
Permalink
Post by mg
Post by rumpelstiltskin
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
Which brings us to an unpleasant possibility. “You may not want to
hear this,” says cognitive scientist David Geary of the University of
Missouri, “but I think the best explanation for the decline in our
brain size is the idiocracy theory.” Geary is referring to the
eponymous 2006 film by Mike Judge about an ordinary guy who becomes
involved in a hibernation experiment at the dawn of the 21st century.
When he wakes up 500 years later, he is easily the smartest person on
the dumbed-down planet. “I think something a little bit like that
happened to us,” Geary says. In other words, idiocracy is where we are
now.
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-modern-humans-smart-why-brain-shrinking
Maybe TV is the explanation? I have the TV on right now,
playing classical music at the moment, but I have also been
watching reruns of "That '70's Show" and "Mama's Family".
Lately, I've been watching a lot of TV, too, and I imagine that a
person loses about two IQ points per year, as a result. So, I suppose
that for most retirees that would result in an IQ of about 80 after 10
years and 70 after 15 years.
. . . Ummm, you don't suppose that you and I have finally stumbled
across the real problem with this newsgroup, do you? :-) :-)
Brains are becoming irrelevant. AI is more than replacing our missing
gray matter, and in the not too distant future will most likely
replace us -- the next step in evolution.
mg
2018-03-11 19:51:57 UTC
Permalink
On Sun, 11 Mar 2018 12:08:34 -0700, El Castor
Post by El Castor
Post by mg
Post by rumpelstiltskin
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
Which brings us to an unpleasant possibility. “You may not want to
hear this,” says cognitive scientist David Geary of the University of
Missouri, “but I think the best explanation for the decline in our
brain size is the idiocracy theory.” Geary is referring to the
eponymous 2006 film by Mike Judge about an ordinary guy who becomes
involved in a hibernation experiment at the dawn of the 21st century.
When he wakes up 500 years later, he is easily the smartest person on
the dumbed-down planet. “I think something a little bit like that
happened to us,” Geary says. In other words, idiocracy is where we are
now.
http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-modern-humans-smart-why-brain-shrinking
Maybe TV is the explanation? I have the TV on right now,
playing classical music at the moment, but I have also been
watching reruns of "That '70's Show" and "Mama's Family".
Lately, I've been watching a lot of TV, too, and I imagine that a
person loses about two IQ points per year, as a result. So, I suppose
that for most retirees that would result in an IQ of about 80 after 10
years and 70 after 15 years.
. . . Ummm, you don't suppose that you and I have finally stumbled
across the real problem with this newsgroup, do you? :-) :-)
Brains are becoming irrelevant. AI is more than replacing our missing
gray matter, and in the not too distant future will most likely
replace us -- the next step in evolution.
I was going to point out that we humans need to at least be smart
enough to get our government check out of the mail box and cash it,
but then I remembered that my SS check is direct deposit . . .
Gary
2018-03-10 13:04:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
I had never thought about it, but I read an article that is very
interesting -- and might answer the question as to why the brain has
shrunk over the years. Maybe a smaller brain is the only way to have
a good healthy (modern) body.

quote--

----------------------------------------------------
Post by mg
The brain is enormously costly to the rest of the body, in terms
of oxygen and nutrient consumption. It can require up to 20 percent
of the body's energy—more than any other organ—despite making up
only 2 percent of the human body by weight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_percent_of_the_brain_myth
mg
2018-03-11 11:41:50 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gary
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
I had never thought about it, but I read an article that is very
interesting -- and might answer the question as to why the brain has
shrunk over the years. Maybe a smaller brain is the only way to have
a good healthy (modern) body.
quote--
----------------------------------------------------
Post by mg
The brain is enormously costly to the rest of the body, in terms
of oxygen and nutrient consumption. It can require up to 20 percent
of the body's energy—more than any other organ—despite making up
only 2 percent of the human body by weight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_percent_of_the_brain_myth
It sounds far-fetched, but I believe that it's entirely possible.
rumpelstiltskin
2018-03-11 13:19:58 UTC
Permalink
Post by mg
Post by Gary
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
I had never thought about it, but I read an article that is very
interesting -- and might answer the question as to why the brain has
shrunk over the years. Maybe a smaller brain is the only way to have
a good healthy (modern) body.
quote--
----------------------------------------------------
Post by mg
The brain is enormously costly to the rest of the body, in terms
of oxygen and nutrient consumption. It can require up to 20 percent
of the body's energy—more than any other organ—despite making up
only 2 percent of the human body by weight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_percent_of_the_brain_myth
It sounds far-fetched, but I believe that it's entirely possible.
It doesn't sound far-fetched to me at all. Our brain
is obviously a huge survival asset for the individual
(and for the tribe) -- until it leads us to destroying
the whole planet we depend on, that is.
mg
2018-03-13 19:19:29 UTC
Permalink
Post by rumpelstiltskin
Post by mg
Post by Gary
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
I had never thought about it, but I read an article that is very
interesting -- and might answer the question as to why the brain has
shrunk over the years. Maybe a smaller brain is the only way to have
a good healthy (modern) body.
quote--
----------------------------------------------------
Post by mg
The brain is enormously costly to the rest of the body, in terms
of oxygen and nutrient consumption. It can require up to 20 percent
of the body's energy—more than any other organ—despite making up
only 2 percent of the human body by weight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_percent_of_the_brain_myth
It sounds far-fetched, but I believe that it's entirely possible.
It doesn't sound far-fetched to me at all. Our brain
is obviously a huge survival asset for the individual
(and for the tribe) -- until it leads us to destroying
the whole planet we depend on, that is.
The brain makes up 2% of the body by weight and requires up to 20
percent of the body's energy. That's absolutely phenomenal! It's no
wonder we humans don't like to use it a lot. In fact, I think Im gona
top corrting typtoes caus of the nergy ittaks.





-------------------------------------
I know that even now, having watched
enough television, you probably won't
even refer to them as lepers so as to
spare their feelings. You probably
call them 'parts-dropping-off
challenged' or something.
-- Christopher Moore, Lamb:
The Gospel According to Biff
Gary
2018-03-13 21:08:23 UTC
Permalink
Post by mg
Post by rumpelstiltskin
Post by mg
Post by Gary
Post by mg
Is it because one doesn't need to be as smart to survive now days? Is
it because of Global Warming? Is it because we have become an
idiocracy?
---------------
"If Modern Humans Are So Smart, Why Are Our Brains Shrinking?
By Kathleen McAuliffe | Thursday, January 20, 2011
. . . DUMBING DOWN
In search of a global explanation for our cranial downsizing, some
scientists have pointed to a warming trend in the earth’s climate that
also began 20,000 years ago. Since bulky bodies are better at
conserving heat, larger frames may have fared better in the colder
climate. As the planet warmed, selection might have favored people of
slighter stature. So, the argument goes, skeletons and skulls shrank
as the temperature rose—and the brain got smaller in the process.
Stringer thinks there is something to that idea, but he doubts it is
the whole explanation. As he points out, comparable warming periods
occurred many times over the previous 2 million years, yet body and
brain size regularly increased. . . .
I had never thought about it, but I read an article that is very
interesting -- and might answer the question as to why the brain has
shrunk over the years. Maybe a smaller brain is the only way to have
a good healthy (modern) body.
quote--
----------------------------------------------------
Post by mg
The brain is enormously costly to the rest of the body, in terms
of oxygen and nutrient consumption. It can require up to 20 percent
of the body's energy—more than any other organ—despite making up
only 2 percent of the human body by weight
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_percent_of_the_brain_myth
It sounds far-fetched, but I believe that it's entirely possible.
It doesn't sound far-fetched to me at all. Our brain
is obviously a huge survival asset for the individual
(and for the tribe) -- until it leads us to destroying
the whole planet we depend on, that is.
The brain makes up 2% of the body by weight and requires up to 20
percent of the body's energy. That's absolutely phenomenal! It's no
wonder we humans don't like to use it a lot. In fact, I think Im gona
top corrting typtoes caus of the nergy ittaks.
I wonder ? How about when people exert at physical activities. Like
athletes. Does it cause the brain to lose some of the 20% it needs ?
And ... cause them to be a little bit dumber :-)

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