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Digit wrote:
If we destroy our selves I'd question our 'intelligence'.

Then it's about high time you started questioning it.
The question isn't "if", but "when".

Repent! The end is nigh!

I tend to agree R/S. Obviously intelligence does not guarantee survivability. Especially when we lack the compassion, temperance and foresight required to ensure our longevity as a species. It seems intelligence demands other qualities to ensure success.

What is intelligence? It does not seem to be the thing measured by standardized tests which tend to be culturally biased. I would say it is more the ability to properly assess ones environment in such a way to ensure a measure of survivability. And the more intelligent can process and adapt to rapidly changing scenarios more quickly than the so-called non-intelligent.

Looking into the brain-case of HF and wondering about his intelligence is a bit like looking at an empty bowl and speculating about the quality of the food that once filled it.

What is intelligence?

It's whatever you think it is Monk. We will only find the answer to that when we are able to measure the intelligence of other species, and for that we would need an agreed definition and a practical method of determining it amongst those species without writing skills or speech.

Speaking of the homo brain, the three books read lately about the comet/asteroid that struck Canada wiped out mega animals, clovis people , and most of the McDonalds, was preceded about 45000BP by gamma, or some kind of rays from the exploding star. The authors say this ray activity changed the homo brain for the better since this was the emergence of art, etc. What say you? Old Crotch Marine

Very selective wasn't it?

Yes Gunny, according to Firestone it was gamma radiation, traveling at light speed that bombarded the earth 41K yrs. ago. It seems pretty coincidental that there were so many notable changes right after that, but I've not seen any explanation for it.

Beagle wrote:Yes Gunny, according to Firestone it was gamma radiation, traveling at light speed that bombarded the earth 41K yrs. ago. It seems pretty coincidental that there were so many notable changes right after that, but I've not seen any explanation for it.

Both maybe true, but I fail to see a causal link yet.

Me neither RS.

That does remind me though, that when the Firestone theory was presented in Acupulco last June, a large group of scientists were there to announce their belief in it. The governing body of world scientists asked for more evidence, which I understand is SOP for new theories.

It seems to me that if there were any effect from the gamma radiation, it would be widespread death. We don't know if that happened or not.

It seems to me that if there were any effect from the gamma radiation, it would be widespread death. We don't know if that happened or not.

I would have to agree Beag, which is why I commented earlier about selectivity.

The authors say this ray activity changed the homo brain for the better since this was the emergence of art, etc. What say you?

I would really like to know the author's rationale for that. I can't imagine that taking lethal gamma radiation would improve the brain. Maybe he is thinking of a freak mutation. The odds against that are incredible.

Beagle wrote:

The authors say this ray activity changed the homo brain for the better since this was the emergence of art, etc. What say you?

I would really like to know the author's rationale for that. I can't imagine that taking lethal gamma radiation would improve the brain. Maybe he is thinking of a freak mutation. The odds against that are incredible.

Tut. Tut. Haven't you lot heard of Marvel Comics? Just look at what happened to Bruce Banner when he got bombarded with gamma radiation. Anyway, it can't have happened otherwise we would have found fossil evidence of capes and tights by now.

Sorry. Please ignore this post. It's been a long day.

Sorry. Please ignore this post. It's been a long day.

Shant! So there!

I wasn't going to put it like that WA, but yeah, that could only happen in the comics.