1. Complex Synapses Drove Brain Evolution

Comment #191020 by Mozglubov on June 10, 2008 at 5:53 am

I just wanted to quickly point out before I head off to work that the infant brain is, in many ways, more complex than the adult brain (I guess it depends on your definition of complexity). A large portion of the learning we do in our early lives depends on synaptic pruning. Basically, we start off with more connexions between neurons than are necessary, and then gradually trim them down to isolate correct and appropriate synergies.

Also, at #190782, having an appropriate jaw for speech is not the only ingredient necessary. We have extremely specialized speech areas for verbal reasoning and generation (which is the main reason non-human animals taught signing still never learn complex vocabulary). It is difficult to say which came first, but I would guess that we developed the symbolic manipulation abilities of our brain before our smaller and weaker jaw, just to make the smaller and weaker jaw evolutionarily viable.

2. Six 'uniquely' human traits now found in animals

Comment #184091 by Mozglubov on May 23, 2008 at 2:55 pm

I think many of these have been known (although perhaps intuitively and not rigorously like I'm sure they are presented in the research) by pet owners for years...

In regards to comment #184069, perhaps you just haven't met the right non-humans. When I was growing up my dog used to get awfully embarrassed when she stunk up the room (so much so that she'd often slink out of the room... although I think part of that might have just been a search for fresh air).

3. The Art of Creating Controversy Where None Existed

Comment #159871 by Mozglubov on April 13, 2008 at 9:44 am

Yussell,

There is also a difference between science and engineering. The Nazi killing machines, for example, were much more a feat of engineering rather than science. In the Four Horsemen, I think it was Daniel Dennett that brought up a question along the same lines as you. You might be interested to watch the responses of Dawkins and Harris (as they are the two scientists at the table).

4. 'Darwin chip' brings evolution into the classroom

Comment #157612 by Mozglubov on April 9, 2008 at 10:38 am

I'm not sure it will be all that effective at dispelling doubts, since there are already genetic algorithms that can do the same thing in a virtual environment. This is just one more thing to willfully ignore. For those few who are open minded, though, it might help them see the light.

That said, it still sounds like an interesting development.