Re: The human brain is shrinking.

November 1, 2011

Really interesting ideas!Particularily one of your conclusions!"Since the results probably wouldn't be very politically correct, I doubt such a thing would ever come to pass."In my opinion, humans are pack animals, and human societies seem to be composed of many 'packs. If the 'pack' that is brutish, has low impulse control, tendsto violence, is growing in numbers due to us working folks subsidizing it through taxes going to welfare support, so that moms and studs are breeding indescriminately, then civilization is heading for collapse, a new dark age.rl 'My cat Rusty is a servant of the Living God....'adapted from a

poem by SmartTo: FAMSecretSociety Sent: Monday, October 31, 2011 1:27:44 PMSubject: The human brain is shrinking.

According to the evidence, the human brain is shrinking. What is unusual about this is that the body has remained the same or even grown.

Over the last 20,000 years or so the brain has shed about 10% of is size. Scientists aren't really sure why that is but here are some theories:

1. The Idiocracy theory. Named after the movie "Idiocracy" this theory holds that as human society has become more organized, more stupid people are able to live by the means of others, that is to say by hanging on to groups or social safety nets like welfare, etc. As they hang around and breed, perhaps as in the movie more prolifically that smarter people, stupidity becomes more commonplace.

2. The More Efficient Brain Theory. In this theory, the brain is simply becoming more compact and efficient through evolution. Part of this is because the brain uses about 20% of all calories and nutrients the body takes in. A smaller, more efficient brain would use less resources. Another part is that as the body gets smaller and more gracile, less brain mass is needed to sense and control all that muscles and skin.

3. The Domestication Theory. As wild animals are domesticated, their bodies and brains undergo certain changes. The bones and musculature become lighter, the head shape changes a bit and their brains lose size, as much as 20%. A side effect is that the animal becomes somewhat less aggressive as well.

One point common here is that a large brain doesn't mean intelligence. CroMagnons and Neanderthal probably had brains larger than modern humans. They were also more muscular and larger so that accounts for part of it. However, some scientists speculate that Cromags were at least as intelligent as we are and maybe moreso, but that's all speculation since, as stated, brain size isn't directly related to intelligence. Body to brain ratio also breaks down because given the size of the modern European brain, the body should be much smaller.

Now, while all of these theories have their good points and flaws, here is the point I was working toward.

Scientists have noted that in certain populations, the brain size has been growing over the last few generations. Some regard this to improved nutrition, but I don't see that as likely.

Now, remember what I said about animals with smaller brains being less aggressive? The same seems to be true in humans. So, suppose that the Idiocracy Theory is the dominant of the three (not exclusive just dominant) and least in some populations. Consider also sociological evidence that in conditions of limited resources and lots of danger and thugs about, that human females have a tendency to seek out thuggish types for safety and access to resources. Thugs aren't likely to be attracted to smart girls (because her being smarter would be an insult and a threat to his masculinity) so, as studies suggest, in those same conditions, dumber and also neurotic women are selected.

What you have is a segment of society regressing even as the brain is growing larger. This could partly explain the growing levels of violence in society. If true, there would be the complete genetic/biological/cultural package to explain it. To find out for sure though there would have to be a massive study of troublemakers. This would have to be various written and interview tests plus studies of brain size and function. Not only would this include inmates but also the non imprisoned population the criminal associated with, particularly the females.

Since the results probably wouldn't be very politically correct, I doubt such a thing would ever come to pass.

It is interesting that, as some historians and archeologists now believe, ancient societies made much wider use of the death penalty or exile to weed out the uncontrollable and dangerous young males in the group.

November 1, 2011

Thanks RL.

You're right on. A lot of people don't like to admit it these days, but I can see how the brutes can crowd out the decent folks. When I was still in coed schools, which was before puberty really kicked in for most students, it was already happening. That is the more brutish and bullying types, most noticeably the males, would do all they could to crowd out other males they saw as a threat. This meant the smart and/or nice guys would be insulted, pushed around, etc. until they left the pack. Some of the victims would play along and dumb it down and become one of the herd, but most didn't get away with it. For example, the last party I went to at a friend's house saw about half of the guys in a room by ourselves while the bullyish host and his minions were in the other with all the girls. Since we were neither missed nor wanted, we left and went to my house down the street and had a pretty good time just hanging out.

So, imagine a less restrained group where violence was commonplace and even an accepted way of solving disputes and running the social order. Very quickly those most willing and able to use violence would rule. Since a great many women like that kind of, let's call them a negative alpha male or alpha male - because rather than be good leaders and better their followers they are evil and cause harm, they have more chances to breed. Since it is likely that they have genetic predispositions to such behavior, they are likely to pass on such traits. Add in that the females who like such creatures also likely have issues, those will tend to be passed on. Genetics aside, it would take a very strong willed person to survive in such an environment and not be brought down by it, or maybe just one good at fading out.

Anyway, this does seem to be what is happening as related in the studies I mentioned, and it seems to be happening in more places around the world and across social classes, though at varying speeds. I'll post something else related that I've been thinking about sometime today.

Really interesting ideas!

Particularily one of your conclusions!

"Since the results probably wouldn't be very politically correct, I doubt such a thing would ever come to pass."

In my opinion, humans are pack animals, and human societies seem to be composed of many 'packs. If the 'pack' that is brutish, has low impulse control, tendsto violence, is growing in numbers due to us working folks subsidizing it through taxes going to welfare support, so that moms and studs are breeding indescriminately, then civilization is heading for collapse, a new dark age.

rl

November 1, 2011

:Have read that some girls/women are attracted to the 'bad boys,' not just the local thugs, BUT men in prison:

women write to them, marry them, either in a 'jail house marriage" or after the man gets out.Surprisingly some of these woman are

highly educated. A man I met through my work was an ex-con and published author; he married a woman who was an executive in one of the non profits that helps work for prison reform, rehabilitation of convicts etc etc. It all seemed very romantic (said with cynicism!) He was very smooth and plausible. She seems to have been taken in by him wanting to 'turn his life around'http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breakfast-with-the-devil-l-wayne-carlson/1021106871A few years later, they moved to another province; his

marriage broke up. Around the same time, he was arrested http://http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/youbethejudge/index.html (There were extensive conditions attached to his release from prison.) The link below gives a synopsis of his life on one web site.http://www.123people.ca/ext/frm?ti=person%20finder & search_term=wayne%20carlson & search_country=CA & st=person%20finder & target_url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbc.ca%2Ffifth%2Fyoubethejudge%2Ftimeline4.html & section=weblink & wrt_id=431Probably there is more than low intelligence on the part of these women, they may have low self esteem (that catch all phrase) and / or other 'complexes.' or just 'wear rose coloured glasses' i.e. look too much on the sunny side of life.Looking forward to reading your related thoughts.......rl'My cat Rusty is a servant of the Living God....'adapted from a poem by SmartTo: FAMSecretSociety Sent:

Tuesday, November 1, 2011 5:59:49 AMSubject: Re: The human brain is shrinking.

Thanks RL.

You're right on. A lot of people don't like to admit it these days, but I can see how the brutes can crowd out the decent folks. When I was still in coed schools, which was before puberty really kicked in for most students, it was already happening. That is the more brutish and bullying types, most noticeably the males, would do all they could to crowd out other males they saw as a threat. This meant the smart and/or nice guys would be insulted, pushed around, etc. until they left the pack. Some of the victims would play along and dumb it down and become one of the herd, but most didn't get away with it. For example, the last party I went to at a friend's house saw about half of the guys in a room by ourselves while the bullyish host and his minions were in the other with all the girls. Since we were neither missed nor wanted, we left and went to my house down the street and had a pretty good time just hanging out.

So, imagine a less restrained group where violence was commonplace and even an accepted way of solving disputes and running the social order. Very quickly those most willing and able to use violence would rule. Since a great many women like that kind of, let's call them a negative alpha male or alpha male - because rather than be good leaders and better their followers they are evil and cause harm, they have more chances to breed. Since it is likely that they have genetic predispositions to such behavior, they are likely to pass on such traits. Add in that the females who like such creatures also likely have issues, those will tend to be passed on. Genetics aside, it would take a very strong willed person to survive in such an environment and not be brought down by it, or maybe just one good at fading out.

Anyway, this does seem to be what is happening as related in the studies I mentioned, and it seems to be happening in more places around the world and across social classes, though at varying speeds. I'll post something else related that I've been thinking about sometime today.

Really interesting ideas!

Particularily one of your conclusions!

"Since the results probably wouldn't be very politically correct, I doubt such a thing would ever come to pass."

In my opinion, humans are pack animals, and human societies seem to be composed of many 'packs. If the 'pack' that is brutish, has low impulse control, tendsto violence, is growing in numbers due to us working folks subsidizing it through taxes going to welfare support, so that moms and studs are breeding indescriminately, then civilization is heading for collapse, a new dark age.

rl

November 1, 2011

My own theory is that each human is becoming specialized. No one needs to know a

little bit about everything anymore because our survival no longer depends on

it.

But all it takes is for God to turn the tables on us and put us in a survival

situation. Then, let's see how we fare.

Administrator

" According to the evidence, the human brain is shrinking. "

November 1, 2011

If modern technological civilization were to collapse, Possibly the ones who would fare the best are some First Nations People and some recent immigrants. (and maybe a few rural folks: those who have not modernized and are considered subsistence farmers- even 25 years ago most of the prairie farmers whom i met were incredibly dependent on modern equipement and input like chemical fertilizers in their farming, many had posh new houses equipped with modern conveniences, and were hooked up to th utility grid.)rl 'My cat Rusty is a servant of the Living God....'adapted from a poem by SmartFrom: environmental1st2003 <no_reply >To: FAMSecretSociety Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 12:44:26 PMSubject: Re: The human brain is shrinking.

My own theory is that each human is becoming specialized. No one needs to know a little bit about everything anymore because our survival no longer depends on it.

But all it takes is for God to turn the tables on us and put us in a survival situation. Then, let's see how we fare.

Administrator

"According to the evidence, the human brain is shrinking."

November 1, 2011

Interesting story. That fellow is probably a sociopath, as are most in that situation, and are able to say the right things to get their way.

As for the women, most of these might not be low-IQ, but have other issues. You mention low self-esteem, but I'm not sure how many of them would go for inmates. They would likely be the promiscuous ones at parties and such, except for those who don't even bother. I've often heard the "trying to fix a guy" thing spoken of with derision but no doubt it happens. Maybe it succeeds on rare occasion, but I'm inclined to think that it would often make things worse since the changee might not want to change and would resent the nagging.

Still, whatever the case may be, as long as the bad boy draws women away from decent guys, well, things will continue to go downhill.

Pro bably there is more than low intelligence on the part of these women, they may have low self esteem (that catch all phrase) and / or other 'complexes.' or just 'wear rose coloured glasses' i.e. look too much on the sunny side of life.Looking forward to reading your related thoughts.......rl

November 1, 2011

I do not really understand why men would be attracted to women due to lack of intelligence. Personally (as a bisexual woman), I tend to prefer smart women and gentle men (as well as gentle women and smart men). On Nov 1, 2011, at 13:44, environmental1st2003 <no_reply > wrote:

My own theory is that each human is becoming specialized. No one needs to know a little bit about everything anymore because our survival no longer depends on it.

But all it takes is for God to turn the tables on us and put us in a survival situation. Then, let's see how we fare.

Administrator

"According to the evidence, the human brain is shrinking."

November 1, 2011

That could be part of it. Its possible that back in the day when each caveman had to do everything for himself it took a bigger brain to store all of that, in addition perhaps to more sensory processing to be alert for other cavemen coming to steal his stuff at any time.

Once settled agriculture began, that needed a degree of social organization and allowed for specialization. Some people would spend most of their time farming, others hunting and others making things. That kind of specialize could result in less of a need for such a large brain. The need to live in a social group would call for some degree of "domestication" so aggression would need to decrease, at least toward one's own.

What you say is also true: if things went badly, a lot of people would be in deep trouble. There have been studies with animals that show not all of the domesticates ones will survive on their own. Some do well but not all. Wild animals raised by humans also can have bad outcomes if they aren't trained to live in the wild. Indeed it is interesting that domesticated animals, take dogs, have smaller brains than wild wolves. Wolves tend to be more easily able to solve puzzles and will stick to it longer while a dog will give up and try to find a human to get it what it wants. Kind of interesting how many children are like this as well. Extrapolate that out and many adults also turn to the government, etc., for survival.

Interesting though that if things got really bad, it could well be the that the worst of humanity could have the best chance of surviving and passing on their genes. After all, those who chose to help others would have to spread out their resources and risk taking in a cunning sociopath who would wipe them out from within. At the same time, the sociopaths and those more willing to steal would take from those they could for themselves and theirs.

In a message dated 11/1/2011 2:44:29 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, no_reply writes:

My own theory is that each human is becoming specialized. No one needs to know a little bit about everything anymore because our survival no longer depends on it. But all it takes is for God to turn the tables on us and put us in a survival situation. Then, let's see how we fare.Administrator

November 1, 2011

Good points. However, they had better have good security and self-defense measures in place. I have read that the Amish and other such groups suffer from a lot of crime. People know they are unarmed and not likely to resist, so they are attacked more often than they should be, given they don't exactly lead lavish lifestyles. So in a really bad situation, such farmers could find themselves attacked by starving hordes or maybe organized gangs looking to steal food to resell. First Nation types might have better luck since at least some of them likely hunt and might easily readopt their warrior past to protect themselves.

That aside, those who are moving away from technology for food production and storage will have an advantage.

If modern technological civilization were to collapse, Possibly the ones who would fare the best are some First Nations People and some recent immigrants. (and maybe a few rural folks: those who have not modernized and are considered subsistence farmers- even 25 years ago most of the prairie farmers whom i met were incredibly dependent on modern equipement and input like chemical fertilizers in their farming, many had posh new houses equipped with modern conveniences, and were hooked up to th utility grid.)rl

November 1, 2011

I wonder, what has happened to brain density? As an extreme example, my phone is much smaller than the Apollo guidance computer (to make it fair, excluding it's external systems interface, but my phone is much more powerful.

Good points. However, they had better have good security and self-defense measures in place. I have read that the Amish and other such groups suffer from a lot of crime. People know they are unarmed and not likely to resist, so they are attacked more often than they should be, given they don't exactly lead lavish lifestyles. So in a really bad situation, such farmers could find themselves attacked by starving hordes or maybe organized gangs looking to steal food to resell. First Nation types might have better luck since at least some of them likely hunt and might easily readopt their warrior past to protect themselves.

That aside, those who are moving away from technology for food production and storage will have an advantage.

If modern technological civilization were to collapse, Possibly the ones who would fare the best are some First Nations People and some recent immigrants. (and maybe a few rural folks: those who have not modernized and are considered subsistence farmers- even 25 years ago most of the prairie farmers whom i met were incredibly dependent on modern equipement and input like chemical fertilizers in their farming, many had posh new houses equipped with modern conveniences, and were hooked up to th utility grid.)rl

November 1, 2011

Simple:

dumb girl = better odds of scoring + easier to boss around + won't sure guy up by being more smarterer than him hurting him machismo (and not bonk, bonk on head to be man again but end up in jail).

Dumb caveman (for girls)= hot + dangerous + protection (except from him) + seeing him fight other guys is so HOT!!!! (if he wins wild animal sex and if he loses make him feel better).

That's about it.

I do not really understand why men would be attracted to women due to lack of intelligence. Personally (as a bisexual woman), I tend to prefer smart women and gentle men (as well as gentle women and smart men).

November 1, 2011

Typo: Sure = show

dumb girl = better odds of scoring + easier to boss around + won't sure guy up by

November 2, 2011

:"Still, whatever the case may be, as long as the bad boy draws women away from decent guys, well, things will continue to go downhill"Succint conclusion!rl 'My cat Rusty is a servant of the Living God....'adapted from a poem by SmartTo: FAMSecretSociety Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 1:01:12 PMSubject: Re: The human brain is shrinking.

Interesting story. That fellow is probably a sociopath, as are most in that situation, and are able to say the right things to get their way.

As for the women, most of these might not be low-IQ, but have other issues. You mention low self-esteem, but I'm not sure how many of them would go for inmates. They would likely be the promiscuous ones at parties and such, except for those who don't even bother. I've often heard the "trying to fix a guy" thing spoken of with derision but no doubt it happens. Maybe it succeeds on rare occasion, but I'm inclined to think that it would often make things worse since the changee might not want to change and would resent the nagging.

Still, whatever the case may be, as long as the bad boy draws women away from decent guys, well, things will continue to go downhill.

Pro bably there is more than low intelligence on the part of these women, they may have low self esteem (that catch all phrase) and / or other 'complexes.' or just 'wear rose coloured glasses' i.e. look too much on the sunny side of life.Looking forward to reading your related thoughts.......rl

November 2, 2011

All interesting points and thoughts so far (I haven't read all the posts/replies

on this yet).

>

> Thanks RL.

>

> You're right on. A lot of people don't like to admit it these days, but I

> can see how the brutes can crowd out the decent folks. When I was still in

> coed schools, which was before puberty really kicked in for most students,

> it was already happening. That is the more brutish and bullying types, most

> noticeably the males, would do all they could to crowd out other males they

> saw as a threat. This meant the smart and/or nice guys would be insulted,

> pushed around, etc. until they left the pack. Some of the victims would

> play along and dumb it down and become one of the herd, but most didn't get

> away with it. For example, the last party I went to at a friend's house saw

> about half of the guys in a room by ourselves while the bullyish host and

> his minions were in the other with all the girls. Since we were neither

> missed nor wanted, we left and went to my house down the street and had a

pretty

> good time just hanging out.

>

> So, imagine a less restrained group where violence was commonplace and even

> an accepted way of solving disputes and running the social order. Very

> quickly those most willing and able to use violence would rule. Since a great

> many women like that kind of, let's call them a negative alpha male or

> alpha male - because rather than be good leaders and better their followers

> they are evil and cause harm, they have more chances to breed. Since it is

> likely that they have genetic predispositions to such behavior, they are

> likely to pass on such traits. Add in that the females who like such

creatures

> also likely have issues, those will tend to be passed on. Genetics aside,

> it would take a very strong willed person to survive in such an environment

> and not be brought down by it, or maybe just one good at fading out.

>

> Anyway, this does seem to be what is happening as related in the studies I

> mentioned, and it seems to be happening in more places around the world and

> across social classes, though at varying speeds. I'll post something else

> related that I've been thinking about sometime today.

>

November 3, 2011

Hi I started to add this a few days ago but got side tracked...

One possible explanation for why women seem to be attracted to " Bad

Boys " involves the way women shop and their instincts... Basically

women perceive the rough edges and faults of the Bad Boys as potential

strengths if the they were properly nurtured... If you check into early

cultures they tended to have a significant matriarchal flavor. Dumb

brutal males controlled by sexual favors given or withheld can be the

basis of a successful society. When you think about which would be

a better provider a controlled Bad Boy the would crush his rivals or a

nice guy... Is it any wonder that human are a violent and deceitful as we

are?

It is only in the past three thousand years or so with the emergence of

civilization that males had a purpose other than war, hunting, and

breeding. Some males started to take up some quasi-nurturing

activities like farming, herding, building and being dumb and brutal

became less desirable trait in males and the women start to breed for a

more docile male... And males and females both display nurturing

behaviors and guys can get kicks fixing up a car or house, building

computers, writing programs for them and raising kids. Women's nurturing

nature leads them to do all that too but buried in there is the desire to

reform a " Bad Boy " to be a good provider... Something to think

about... :-\

Ender

At 08:11 PM 11/1/2011, renaissanzelady wrote:

:

" Still, whatever the case may be, as long as the bad boy draws women

away from decent guys, well, things will continue to go

downhill "

Succint conclusion!

rl

'My cat Rusty is a servant of the Living

God....'

adapted from a poem by Smart

From: " VISIGOTH@... "

To: FAMSecretSociety

Sent: Tuesday, November 1, 2011 1:01:12 PM

Subject: Re: The human brain is shrinking.

Interesting story. That fellow is probably a sociopath, as

are most in that situation, and are able to say the right things to get

their way.

As for the women, most of these might not be low-IQ, but have other

issues. You mention low self-esteem, but I'm not sure how many of them

would go for inmates. They would likely be the promiscuous ones at

parties and such, except for those who don't even bother. I've often

heard the " trying to fix a guy " thing spoken of with derision

but no doubt it happens. Maybe it succeeds on rare occasion, but I'm

inclined to think that it would often make things worse since the changee

might not want to change and would resent the nagging.

Still, whatever the case may be, as long as the bad boy draws women away

from decent guys, well, things will continue to go downhill.

In a message dated 11/1/2011 2:32:53 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

renaissanzelady@... writes:

Pro bably there is more than

low intelligence on the part of these women, they may have low self

esteem (that catch all phrase) and / or other 'complexes.' or just 'wear

rose coloured glasses' i.e. look too much on the sunny side of

life.

Looking forward to reading your related thoughts.......

rl

November 3, 2011

Oh I forgot to add that studies

indicate men tend to marry the woman they think they want to spend their

life with but women marry the man they think can become that man they

want to spend they life with...

Ender

November 3, 2011

Oh I forgot to add that studies

indicate men tend to marry the woman they think they want to spend their

life with but women marry the man they think can become that man they

want to spend they life with...

Ender

November 3, 2011

Oh I forgot to add that studies indicate men tend to marry

the woman they think they want to spend their life with but women marry

the man they think can become that man they want to spend they life

with...

Ender

At 01:00 PM 11/3/2011, you wrote:

Hi I started to add this a few

days ago but got side tracked...