Fat Selfish Brains
I was reading an article on how our brains are getting bigger and more complex. (i don't really see that in today's society) and the science guy said this:
"Just because these genes are still evolving, doesn't necessarily mean they make you any smarter. We've evolved genes for selfishness, violence, cruelty รป- all of which are in place because they may make survival easier.''
I'd have to say I disagree with that. None of those traits make survival easier, they make life terrible. i suppose maybe you might survive better than someone who was generous, pacifist, meek and compassionate BUT i mean really, who would you preferred survived? And really when you think about it, it's not like we're out i nthe wilderness hunting to survive. i don't think those traits help us in any way at all at this point in time. They only hinder us and our big ole brains.
"Just because these genes are still evolving, doesn't necessarily mean they make you any smarter. We've evolved genes for selfishness, violence, cruelty รป- all of which are in place because they may make survival easier.''
I'd have to say I disagree with that. None of those traits make survival easier, they make life terrible. i suppose maybe you might survive better than someone who was generous, pacifist, meek and compassionate BUT i mean really, who would you preferred survived? And really when you think about it, it's not like we're out i nthe wilderness hunting to survive. i don't think those traits help us in any way at all at this point in time. They only hinder us and our big ole brains.
posted by bazooka radio at 8:23 AM
1 Comments:
Those traits that you so despise are exactly why human beings are at the top of the food chain. We don't have claws or sharp teeth, we're not strong and we can't run fast enough or climb trees to get away from our enemies. Instead we use our cunning to outwit them. But evolution is a very slow process and totally accidental. In order for a new trait to make its way into the gene pool, it somehow has to increase our chances of survival, hence our ability to cooperate, work together and show compassion as well. The glaring fact is that human beings are still animals, still subject to their prehistoric programming, and even though our brains are big enough to choose a more socially responsible mode of behaviour, most people in the world are either not educated enough to make use of that capacity, or simply don't care. In other words, our genes haven't caught up with present-day society. We are like an irresponsible teenager wielding a flame thrower.
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