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From: lonetto@phri.UUCP (Michael Lonetto)
Newsgroups: sci.bio
Subject: Re: Why are Humans as Smart as They Are?
Message-ID: <2842@phri.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Aug-87 17:55:30 EDT
Article-I.D.: phri.2842
Posted: Wed Aug 12 17:55:30 1987
Date-Received: Sat, 15-Aug-87 01:53:31 EDT
References: <1041@ttidca.TTI.COM>
Reply-To: lonetto@phri.UUCP (Michael Lonetto)
Distribution: world
Organization: Public Health Research Inst. (NY, NY)
Lines: 32

In article <1041@ttidca.TTI.COM> jackson@ttidcc.UUCP (Dick Jackson) writes:
>I can see how this would work at the beginning of the process; development
>of an ability to construct mental models of the world allowed prey to be
>outwitted instead of outpowered. Language allowed group planning for
>mutual benefits, better shelter, shared gathering and storing of food,etc.

(So far little that chimpanzees can't do)

>But then I look a modern human, playing baseball, or playing the piano,
>or making abstruse mathematical "discoveries". It seems to me that we
>are much too mentally able than we need to be.  What was the environmental
>pressure that made us THIS smart?  And, why not smarter?
>
But then I look at many modern humans watching Dynasty, at a total
loss for how to cope, idealizing Ollie North (and even BELIEVING him),
poisoning the water and atmosphere, arguing that "there's plenty of room
for more people" (though aparently there isn't enough room for the rest
of the species on this planet) and it seems that the larger part of the
question is indeed "why not smarter?"  It would seem that once
intelligence and society had reached a certain point, social change took
over the evolutionary burden.  

It seems to me that you're looking at a small minority of humanity who
might be capable of contributing to the further evolution of this
society.  The rest are just along for the ride.  Looking around at all
the people out on the street here (New York), it seems they're starting
to fall off the wagon.

-- 

Michael Lonetto    UUCP:(allegra!phri!lonetto) 
USMAIL: Public Health Research Institute, 455 1st Ave, NY, NY 10016