Why cultural evolution?
- From: Tim Tyler <seemysig@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 9 Dec 2007 23:40:47 -0500 (EST)
ragland31@xxxxxxxxx wrote:
Irrespective of the origin of life I've wondered why as a species (I
suppose our intelligence) our cultural evolution (science and
technology) has far outpaced our biological evolution. I've been
harping this for years and the response I get is little more
than a fart in the wind. Other animals don't have the capacity for
science and technology as I'm aware yet humans in most respects are
similar to other animals in basic instinctual drives [...]
How come humans can do science and technology?
I think the conventional answer is that these need
a certain level of ability - including a big brain.
Chimps also have big brains. However, humans developed
even bigger brains as a result of runaway sexual selection -
the ability to sing a better love song; etc. Perhaps the
evolution of big human brains was also facilitated by an
improved diet, rich in fatty acids, as a result of eating
animal produce and living in coastal environments.
--
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