Re: Large Brains Evolved For Social Competition

From: Rich Travsky (traRvEsky_at_hotMOVEmail.com)
Date: 09/29/04 

Date: Tue, 28 Sep 2004 19:47:29 -0600

Marc Verhaegen is too stupid to realise that we're only talking
about primates:
>
> "Rich Travsky" <traRvEsky@hotMOVEmail.com> is too stupid to realise that
> what is true for all mammals is also true for primates in message
> news:415763C1.D6BB0F5C@hotMOVEmail.com...
>
> > Marc Verhaegen once again confuses doggies and
> > primates:
> > >
> > > "Rich Travsky" <traRvEsky@hotMOVEmail.com> denies primates are animals
> in
> > > message news:41329A46.76F7F68@hotMOVEmail.com...
> > > > Marc Verhaegen wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > "Rich Travsky" <traRvEsky@hotMOVEmail.com> sees doggies in message
> > > > > news:41297689.197BA98E@hotMOVEmail.com...
> > > > >
> > > > > > >
> > > > >
> > >
> http://www.innovations-report.com/html/reports/social_sciences/report-32083.html
> > > > > Why did human ancestors evolve such large brains? While humans have
> an
> > > > > unusual array of characteristics that distinguish us from other
> species,
> > > it
> > > > > is our cognitive abilities and open-ended thinking that are most
> > > remarkable.
> > > > > University of Missouri-Columbia researchers found that the ability
> to
> > > excel
> > > > > at social problem solving led human brains to surpass other species
> in
> > > size,
> > > > > developing ecological dominance 1.5 to 2 million years ago.
> > > > >
> > > > > > > > > The usual just-so thinking: no evidence, just wishful
> thinking.
> > > > > Social competition is seen in all animals. The only sound approach
> is
> > > > > looking at other mammals with brain enlargement. The most social
> > > primates
> > > > > don't have the largest brains (OWMs have rel.smaller brains than
> NWMs &
> > > > > apes). Brain enlargement in mammals is seen esp. in odontocetes,
> seals,
> > > > > otters... Note not all parts of the human brain are enhanced, eg, we
> > > have a
> > > > > much smaller olfactory bulb than chimps & a +-smaller portion in the
> > > pre- &
> > > > > postcentral areas for the lower extremities. These are important
> clues
> > > often
> > > > > "forgotten" by traditional PAs.
> > > > >
> > > > > > > > The size of the brain isn't the only factor.
> > > > >
> > > > > > > That's what I'm saying. Please re-read.
> > > > >
> > > > > > It's *the* major factor. And seals and otters have nothing to do
> with
> > > it.
> > > > >
> > > > > I'm not interested in your opinion. facts, man.
> > > >
> > > > Seals and otters were your opinion.
> > > >
> > > > > > > > Besides humans and chimps, how many other primates are capable
> of
> > > > > deceit?
> > > > >
> > > > > > > 1) It's not because it hasn't been investigated, that it doesn't
> > > exist.
> > > > >
> > > > > > Huh?
> > > > >
> > > > > Huh?
> > > >
> > > > What do you mean by "It's not because it hasn't been investigated,
> that it
> > > > doesn't exist"
> > > >
> > > > > > > 2) Deceit is seen outside Primates, eg, in crows & dogs.
> > > > >
> > > > > > Those aren't primates.
> > > > >
> > > > > Yes. And?
> > > >
> > > > Then they're not under consideration.
> > > >
> > > > > > > 3) If only humans & chimps are capable of deceit (as you seem to
> > > > > believe??) this doesn't offer an explanation for "why did human
> > > ancestors
> > > > > evolve such large brains?".
> > > > >
> > > > > > We're only talking about primates. Don't know why you want to
> bring up
> > > > > doggies.
> > > > >
> > > > > Not following? Humans & chimps are primates. Do you see the word
> doggies
> > > in
> > > > > 3)??
> > > >
> > > > It's in 2)
> > > >
> > > > > > > > That certainly qualifies as social competition.
> > > > >
> > > > > > > So? Do you believe that only spp that are capable of deceit have
> > > social
> > > > > competition??
> > > > >
> > > > > > We're only talking about primates.
> > > > >
> > > > > Huh?
> > > >
> > > > The discussion is about primates.

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