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This article is all over the place. The connections and conclusions don't really make much sense. What does being in a savanna have anything to do with populat

This article is all over the place. The connections and conclusions don't really make much sense. What does being in a savanna have anything to do with population densities and intelligence? The article doesn't really say. The only pertinent point seems to be about collective problem solving and intelligent people needing less help when it comes to solving problems. Which is kinda a tautology. The article then goes on to conclude that being in dense urban environments and being a loner are correlated with intelligence which seems like a non-sequitur.

wheelerwj 10y ago
I agree that it's not a very well written article. But its not non-sequitor, and it doesn't really go on to conclude anything. If this is accurate, all it is saying is that intelligent people, who appear to enjoy being alone more, are well suited for life in a busy urban environment where you spend less time interacting wth fiends and family and therefore more intelligent people migrate to urban environments. Again, if this is accurate, this isnt saying cities make people smarter (causation), its saying that smart people are drawn to less interactive environments which happens to be cities. it's the exact definition of correlation. tl;dr: nothing ground breaking here, smart people like to be left alone and alone is now defined as living in urban environments.
- Pamar 10y ago
  I am a bit puzzled about this: if the important part is being in a "less interactive" environment, what about getting a job as lightower guardian, or retire to a cabin in the woods and drive to the nearest town only for groceries and supplies?
bootload 10y ago
"What does being in a savanna have anything to do with population densities and intelligence?" The savanna is a big place. You survive in smallish groups of people or die. You have to have your wits about you to survive. "The savanna theory of happiness is the idea that life satisfaction is not only determined by what’s happening in the present but also influenced by the ways our ancestors may have reacted to the event." We have adapted in the past to conditions that we now do not live in. But you are right there is no definitive link between sparsely population in savanna and crowded cities made in the article. It could be claimed to be the savanna effect. It could be smarter people are slightly more introverted. Conjecture, not conclusive.

wheelerwj 10y ago

I agree that it's not a very well written article. But its not non-sequitor, and it doesn't really go on to conclude anything. If this is accurate, all it is saying is that intelligent people, who appear to enjoy being alone more, are well suited for life in a busy urban environment where you spend less time interacting wth fiends and family and therefore more intelligent people migrate to urban environments. Again, if this is accurate, this isnt saying cities make people smarter (causation), its saying that smart people are drawn to less interactive environments which happens to be cities. it's the exact definition of correlation. tl;dr: nothing ground breaking here, smart people like to be left alone and alone is now defined as living in urban environments.

Pamar 10y ago
I am a bit puzzled about this: if the important part is being in a "less interactive" environment, what about getting a job as lightower guardian, or retire to a cabin in the woods and drive to the nearest town only for groceries and supplies?

bootload 10y ago

"What does being in a savanna have anything to do with population densities and intelligence?" The savanna is a big place. You survive in smallish groups of people or die. You have to have your wits about you to survive. "The savanna theory of happiness is the idea that life satisfaction is not only determined by what’s happening in the present but also influenced by the ways our ancestors may have reacted to the event." We have adapted in the past to conditions that we now do not live in. But you are right there is no definitive link between sparsely population in savanna and crowded cities made in the article. It could be claimed to be the savanna effect. It could be smarter people are slightly more introverted. Conjecture, not conclusive.