[blam]

"If you live in a more moderate climate without these challenges the brain doesn't need to develop so much and you can have a "live for today" attitude."

I've often suspected that cold is the mother of western civilization and maybe higher IQ's too.

[dennisw]

I’ve often suspected that cold is the mother of western civilization and maybe higher IQ’s too. ........

Me too

If you caught an anthropologist 100-125 years ago he would have said non-northern people are “ruled by their passions”. The implication being that northerners are not ruled by passions and emotions but intellect also comes into play

I’ve seen such statements but cannot give you the citations

[dennisw]

I’ve often suspected that cold is the mother of western civilization and maybe higher IQ’s too. .......

Cold winters w snow are the toughest. Plant sources for food die off. If you don’t prepare you die, your tribe dies

The challenge to survive is what increases brain size and intellect in my book at least. Surviving a desert climate can be difficult (you can starve) and same for dry seasons (you can starve) in the tropics. I would love to see how this shapes peoples brains

But It is too politically charged for university scientists to investigate