Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site psivax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ukma!psuvm.bitnet!psuvax1!burdvax!sdcrdcf!psivax!friesen
From: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley Friesen)
Newsgroups: net.bio,net.med
Subject: Re: Evolutionary advantage of Excess Brain matter
Message-ID: <1189@psivax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 16-May-86 15:31:14 EDT
Article-I.D.: psivax.1189
Posted: Fri May 16 15:31:14 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 19-May-86 05:27:39 EDT
References: <2486@aecom.UUCP>
Reply-To: friesen@psivax.UUCP (Stanley Friesen)
Distribution: na
Organization: Pacesetter Systems Inc., Sylmar, CA
Lines: 21
Xref: watmath net.bio:500 net.med:4006

In article <2486@aecom.UUCP> werner@aecom.UUCP (Craig Werner) writes:
>
>       A few months ago, a discussion broke out under the Subject heading of
>"Darwinism" that was essentially a net.origins flame to the extent that, if
>Darwin was right and we evolve to be fit, why is over 95% of our brain
>capacity superfluous?
>       The argument, like most anti-evolution arguments was specious because
>it assumes some predefined plan determines evolution rather than just
>reproductive fitness.  Hence, the fact that the neurons just went along for
>the ride cannot be discounted.
>
        It is specious for another reason as well, it is *false*.
There is no significant excess brain capacity, it is all used for
*something*. Just because only ~5% is used for *consiousness* does not
mean the rest is without function.
--

                                Sarima (Stanley Friesen)

UUCP: {ttidca|ihnp4|sdcrdcf|quad1|nrcvax|bellcore|logico}!psivax!friesen
ARPA: ??