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That statement doesn't align with what I'd learned studying physical anthropology. That is, Almost all genetic adaptations that have been observed across Homo S

by ap22213 10y ago

That statement doesn't align with what I'd learned studying physical anthropology. That is, Almost all genetic adaptations that have been observed across Homo Sapiens have been environmental physical adaptations. I'm not saying that it's wrong - just that I didn't learn it that way (But, I could have went to college too long ago).

flatline 10y ago
When I studied anthropology in the 90s, it was a widely held belief that genetics could potentially influence personality, intelligence, etc., but there was no conclusive evidence that it actually did so, and quite a few studies suggesting so had been debunked. There have since been quite a number of studies that indicate this is in fact so, even including more promising studies challenging Gould, et al.'s assertions that racial heritage plays no role in adult intelligence. I still don't know to what level any of these are conclusive, or to what extent we have improved our ability to quantify aspects of, broadly speaking, personality.
aaron695 10y ago
It doesn't make a lot of sense that the other organs have evolved but the brain didn't. I put it more down to it's harder to measure politically. But I do think you need 'practice' to maximise your skills which the system fails many people.
mikebenfield 10y ago
There are potentially very politically inflammatory issues that could come up if we start talking about genetic variation in intelligence in humans. Modern anthropologists are extremely keen to avoid any semblance of justifying racism. But think about it like this: biological evolution works specifically by exploiting differences within a species. If every member of a species were exactly the same height, there would be no basis on which natural selection can encourage future changes in height. Humans got so much smarter than our primate ancestors specifically because there was a lot of variation in innate intelligence: the human ancestors who were smarter tended to live longer and have more offspring. It would be completely nuts if that process just magically stopped, and humans all suddenly had equal intelligence, and differences in intelligence no longer played any role in reproductive success. That idea is completely counter to everything we know about how evolution works... it didn't happen with height or physical strength or hairiness or baldness or any of our other traits. The only reason to suppose it happened with intelligence or other mental traits is, as I said above, to avoid an inflammatory issue.
- posterboy 10y ago
  > innate intelligence The anthropology Issue the GP mentioned is with this. There is no doubt about the need for nurture, not just nature. The mentioned standard deviation which evolution derives from is a compelling argument for intelligence to come neither just from the nurturing.

by ap22213 10y ago

flatline 10y ago

When I studied anthropology in the 90s, it was a widely held belief that genetics could potentially influence personality, intelligence, etc., but there was no conclusive evidence that it actually did so, and quite a few studies suggesting so had been debunked. There have since been quite a number of studies that indicate this is in fact so, even including more promising studies challenging Gould, et al.'s assertions that racial heritage plays no role in adult intelligence. I still don't know to what level any of these are conclusive, or to what extent we have improved our ability to quantify aspects of, broadly speaking, personality.

aaron695 10y ago

It doesn't make a lot of sense that the other organs have evolved but the brain didn't. I put it more down to it's harder to measure politically. But I do think you need 'practice' to maximise your skills which the system fails many people.

mikebenfield 10y ago

There are potentially very politically inflammatory issues that could come up if we start talking about genetic variation in intelligence in humans. Modern anthropologists are extremely keen to avoid any semblance of justifying racism. But think about it like this: biological evolution works specifically by exploiting differences within a species. If every member of a species were exactly the same height, there would be no basis on which natural selection can encourage future changes in height. Humans got so much smarter than our primate ancestors specifically because there was a lot of variation in innate intelligence: the human ancestors who were smarter tended to live longer and have more offspring. It would be completely nuts if that process just magically stopped, and humans all suddenly had equal intelligence, and differences in intelligence no longer played any role in reproductive success. That idea is completely counter to everything we know about how evolution works... it didn't happen with height or physical strength or hairiness or baldness or any of our other traits. The only reason to suppose it happened with intelligence or other mental traits is, as I said above, to avoid an inflammatory issue.

posterboy 10y ago
> innate intelligence The anthropology Issue the GP mentioned is with this. There is no doubt about the need for nurture, not just nature. The mentioned standard deviation which evolution derives from is a compelling argument for intelligence to come neither just from the nurturing.