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The largest impact on our brains isn't our genetics. Our ability to recall information has become moot, I know I personally just store an index of all the infor

The largest impact on our brains isn't our genetics. Our ability to recall information has become moot, I know I personally just store an index of all the information I lean in my brain. Then if I'm like, "Oh, this can be solved with <insert solution>" I just look it up, since I have all the worlds previous knowledge literally a few typed words and 2 - 3 clicks away. Further, every gene we alter effects other genes, if we alter a large portion to increase our brain capacity we really have no idea what else will be effected. Worse yet, we really don't have a "good" measurement of IQ to begin with. Is being able to do spacial tasks really intelligence, perhaps we should focus on memorization a bit more... it is really all arbitrary. The only real genetic benefits to our brain come from improved wiring, i.e. able to complete concurrent tasks, storing memories more efficiently, etc. The only way I see any of this being improved are from significant advances in neuroscience and genetics, and we make the assumption that we can simulate all of this or experiment on humans (pretty large assumption here). Everything is possible given enough time, but I do not think we are anywhere near close enough to do genetic modifications to improve the brain. Perhaps we could do some bio-machine hybridization, i.e. connect my brain to the internet or something, that's a bit closer, but still 20+ years out (if I had to guess). FYI, I actually am trying to start a company to gather more accurate information and augment the brain: http://synaptitude.me/ http://synaptitude.me/

bhouston 12y ago
> Further, every gene we alter effects other genes, if we alter a large portion to increase our brain capacity we really have no idea what else will be effected. I agree completely. There are tons of interactions. It is a incredibly complex process to genetically engineer improved intelligence in any significant fashion. > Worse yet, we really don't have a "good" measurement of IQ to begin with. Is being able to do spacial tasks really intelligence, perhaps we should focus on memorization a bit more... it is really all arbitrary. I disagree. We have a decent measurement, but we do not have a good understanding of the neurological basis of it all: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_factor_(psychometrics) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_factor_(psychometrics) > The only real genetic benefits to our brain come from improved wiring, i.e. able to complete concurrent tasks, storing memories more efficiently, etc This is pretty simplistic and I think wrong. Our brains wiring is the only real difference between us and monkeys (and every other animal for that matter), but that different "wiring" (more and different structures) makes a massive difference. To dismiss "wiring" differences like this is insane. > Perhaps we could do some bio-machine hybridization, i.e. connect my brain to the internet or something, that's a bit closer, but still 20+ years out (if I had to guess). Sounds like an https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exocortex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exocortex

bhouston 12y ago

> Further, every gene we alter effects other genes, if we alter a large portion to increase our brain capacity we really have no idea what else will be effected. I agree completely. There are tons of interactions. It is a incredibly complex process to genetically engineer improved intelligence in any significant fashion. > Worse yet, we really don't have a "good" measurement of IQ to begin with. Is being able to do spacial tasks really intelligence, perhaps we should focus on memorization a bit more... it is really all arbitrary. I disagree. We have a decent measurement, but we do not have a good understanding of the neurological basis of it all: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_factor_(psychometrics) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G_factor_(psychometrics) > The only real genetic benefits to our brain come from improved wiring, i.e. able to complete concurrent tasks, storing memories more efficiently, etc This is pretty simplistic and I think wrong. Our brains wiring is the only real difference between us and monkeys (and every other animal for that matter), but that different "wiring" (more and different structures) makes a massive difference. To dismiss "wiring" differences like this is insane. > Perhaps we could do some bio-machine hybridization, i.e. connect my brain to the internet or something, that's a bit closer, but still 20+ years out (if I had to guess). Sounds like an https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exocortex https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exocortex