8 ms·

Working memory is probably closer to cache than main memory, and it's imo extremely limited and slow to warm up. Imagine a CPU with just 6 cache lines for non-O

Working memory is probably closer to cache than main memory, and it's imo extremely limited and slow to warm up. Imagine a CPU with just 6 cache lines for non-OS code... Although your argument of "if it brought such an advantage, we should have evolved into it by now" does hold water too. I suppose it hinges on how much of an evolutionary advantage we actually have from excelling in the kind of deep abstract thinking that some jobs require nowadays, vs. how much this improvement would've been worth in past centuries.

IggleSniggle 6y ago
Yes, and remember that the enhancement needs to be net positive for both survival AND reproduction. There are clear reproductive advantages to distraction. If your actions prioritize your own wellbeing (or the furthering of some cognitive task) over the instincts to eat, reproduce, and protect your children, your genetics will be at a disadvantage.