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So, might this not indicate that chimps are slowly but surely evolving toward a higher intellect, as a harsh environment selects against the dumb? If there wer
by gamblorrr 12y ago
So, might this not indicate that chimps are slowly but surely evolving toward a higher intellect, as a harsh environment selects against the dumb?
If there were no matriarchs capable of grasping a concept like hunting with weapons, instead of bare hands, 100 years ago, does that mean that they might unravel stone sharpening in 500 years?
The idea that human civilization might witness the true, literal evolution and flourishing of a second earthly intellect in species outside of humans is really exciting.
Maybe it's not evolution in action. Maybe chimpanzees of today are no smarter than 100 years ago. Maybe it takes 50 years of trial and error amongst social groups to learn such a skill, and then retain it across generations by teaching. Maybe tools like this have been invented and lost many times by various chimpanzee social groups over the past few centuries.
But it would still be really cool if this were representative of the emergence of a generation of apes, palpably smarter than those of, say, the 19th century.
- resdirector 12y agoI wonder if humans could, or should, help this evolutionary process along.
- seanmcdirmid 12y agoWe've probably hindered it multiple times in the past. We weren't the only apes to master tool making, we were just really good at it and out competed others that tried filling the same niche.
- KamiCrit 12y agoWell one line of chimps seemed to grasp the tool making concept and you can see how they tuned out. Who's to say it can't happen twice?
- venomsnake 12y agoWith the speed we are wrecking the planet they won't have enough time :(
- charlieflowers 12y agoThe article says they think female chimps invented first ever spear. So these scientists think chimps have been doing this a long time.