4 ms·

In „The Secret of Our Success“ (aside: everytime I write that title I cringe a little at how self-help-y it sounds), Joseph Henrich conjectures that human divin

by bschne 6y ago

In „The Secret of Our Success“ (aside: everytime I write that title I cringe a little at how self-help-y it sounds), Joseph Henrich conjectures that human divination rituals might have evolved as a way to randomize hunting behavior so as not to become predictable to the animals being hunted for. Not sure how plausible to find it, but I found the thought pretty intriguing.

alexpotato 6y ago
Not sure if this is from the same book but I've heard something similar about "lunacy" being linked to the full moon. The reason there is more crime and wild behavior during a full moon is not because of any gravitational effects of the moon etc. Rather, we are descended from tribal peoples who celebrated the full moon with wild parties. Said parties led to intercourse which led to children etc. Not sure how valid that is but I've always liked the idea.
- danharaj 6y ago
  You can do more shit at night without a fire source when the full moon is out. It can be uncomfortably bright if unaccustomed to perpetual artificial light
- benrbray 6y ago
  Isn't a simpler explanation that it's brighter at night during a full moon, making it easier for opportunistic nighttime shenanigans?
  - alexpotato 6y ago
    Thank you for explaining this more simply!
- andai 6y ago
  I heard we hunted mammoths by moonlight, so mania (which also has a lunar etymology) ie. high energy, adventurousness, aggression are associated with moonlight. I can't remember the details but apparently they found some engraved mammoth bones which indicated this.
ralfd 6y ago
Here is Slatestarcodex’s book review: https://slatestarcodex.com/2019/06/04/book-review-the-secret-of-our-success/ https://slatestarcodex.com/2019/06/04/book-review-the-secret...
nestorD 6y ago
I found this hypotheses in "The Blue Sense" (which gives other interesting related ideas) but it might have an even older origin. Nevertheless, it is an intriguing idea.

by bschne 6y ago

alexpotato 6y ago

Not sure if this is from the same book but I've heard something similar about "lunacy" being linked to the full moon. The reason there is more crime and wild behavior during a full moon is not because of any gravitational effects of the moon etc. Rather, we are descended from tribal peoples who celebrated the full moon with wild parties. Said parties led to intercourse which led to children etc. Not sure how valid that is but I've always liked the idea.

danharaj 6y ago
You can do more shit at night without a fire source when the full moon is out. It can be uncomfortably bright if unaccustomed to perpetual artificial light
benrbray 6y ago
Isn't a simpler explanation that it's brighter at night during a full moon, making it easier for opportunistic nighttime shenanigans?
- alexpotato 6y ago
  Thank you for explaining this more simply!
andai 6y ago
I heard we hunted mammoths by moonlight, so mania (which also has a lunar etymology) ie. high energy, adventurousness, aggression are associated with moonlight. I can't remember the details but apparently they found some engraved mammoth bones which indicated this.

ralfd 6y ago

Here is Slatestarcodex’s book review: https://slatestarcodex.com/2019/06/04/book-review-the-secret-of-our-success/ https://slatestarcodex.com/2019/06/04/book-review-the-secret...

nestorD 6y ago

I found this hypotheses in "The Blue Sense" (which gives other interesting related ideas) but it might have an even older origin. Nevertheless, it is an intriguing idea.