Human brains unlikely to evolve into a 'supermind' as price to pay would be too high

University of Warwick ^ | December 7, 2011

[decimon]

Box of chocolates ping.

[DonaldC]

One thing for sure. A university is the last place a supermind would be found anyway... lol

[MarkL]

Says who?!?!?

Mark

[GraceG]

Well there are two possibilities,

Increase the density of brain cells while decreasing their energy usage, or graft technology into the brain.

[GonzoGOP]

I have had the privilege of knowing two people with photographic memories. Admittedly a very small sample size, but both had head problems when it came to dealing with failure or rejection. They would brood on every minor mistake they made until it drove them into deep depression. Most of us lesser mortals just have a couple of drinks and get on with our lives. But neither of them could just let it go.

[longtermmemmory]

these scientists must be democrats since they only believe in a limited brain. ie only one pie.

instead of, making more pie.

seems like a mere publish or perish whatever study.

[Mr. Bird]

I think they're off base. The article speaks in terms of tradeoffs to cognitive "enhancement", specifically noting pharmacological supplementation. I don't think there is any reason to believe the human brain cannot develop into something more than it is. Considering the strides we have made in a few thousand years, to call the current stage of brain development a "sweet spot" is a little narcissistic.

[MestaMachine]

ANY study done by ‘psychologists’ is suspect from the gitgo. It’s like frikkin’ voodoo.

[cuban leaf]

They broke the mold at Adam and Eve. Duh.

Every animal has “evolved” to it’s “sweet spot”. It may be because they were created that way. Just a thought...

[frithguild]

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Ignorance is bliss.

Liberalism is bliss ... at least in concept.

[RitchieAprile]

Like with engines, tuning for performance means sacrifices in reliability and service intervals.

[cuban leaf]

The monsters of the ID!

AHHHHHHHHH!!!!

[cuban leaf]

“Honey West” was hot.

[Da Coyote]

I was wondering about the inverse.

Given Obama’s displayed cretinism, should he not be built like a pro wrestler and have perfect health? (No insult intended to pro wrestlers, all of whom have done a lot more work and dedication to their jobs than has our Cretin-in-Chief. I respect them, I do not respect him.)

Given his mental handicap(s), it seems as if he’s been dealt a double bad blow.

And I cannot think of one who deserves it more.

[PENANCE]

If there was a "sweet spot" in the development of the human intellect, it was about 10,000 years ago or more.

It's been pretty much downhill since.

[rightwingextremist1776]

So...in other words....Zero really is a dumbass.

[cuban leaf]

—Like with engines, tuning for performance means sacrifices in reliability and service intervals.—

To use the same analogy, I was told by someone here that the reason car engined last so long nowadays is that all engines are the equivalent of what, in the 60’s we called “blueprinted”.

IOW, man was designed as a very high performance container for our souls and the design can not be improved upon. Or at least it was designed so it could not be improved upon.

I sometimes wonder how the four chamber heart came about and what a stroke of genius. ;-)

[sodpoodle]

Simply put: The brain is a receptacle, then a processor and finally a delivery system.

It has a limited life cycle - not dependent upon what is deposited - but what is useful to its host’s survival - the physical body.

Early man had to process far more information for survival than modern man. So no, the brain is not evolving - it is adjusting.