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| marnixR |
 Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2008 1:44 pm Post subject: th human brain is a kluge |
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Forum Cosmic Wizard
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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Location: Cardiff, Wales
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i like this article in New Scientist for a number of reasons :
one is that it brings humans down a peg about how marvelous and unique our brain is : better than other animals maybe, but definitely not the bst possible
another reason why i like this article is that it shows how nature is jury-rigged and not the perfect creation creationist claim it to be
and finally, with a flawed brain like that, how can we be well-placed to evaluate our own capabilities objectively ?
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| Obviously |
| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:57 am Post subject: Re: th human brain is a kluge |
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Forum Professor
Joined: 14 Aug 2007
Posts: 1142
Location: Norway
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| marnixR wrote: |
| and finally, with a flawed brain like that, how can we be well-placed to evaluate our own capabilities objectively ? |
Critical thinking memes? 
I wouldn't say our brain is too flawed. Associative memory has many advatages (I think... or am I making a unsupported assertion?). With a lot of hard work, the brain can become quite useful. Though I do agree that evolution doesn't aim at the best solution, but rather a "good enough" solution.
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| Zitterbewegung |
| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 7:44 am Post subject: |
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Forum Sophomore
Joined: 24 Dec 2007
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There is an interesting consideration....what if our brain is just a parasite after all?? I mean, it consumes 25% of the total energy and is - from a size-standpoint wayyyy too big. And it developed in under 100.000 from a feeble chunck of grey matter to the 1500g monster we have between the ears today. Sounds like a parasite to me, at least in some respect.
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| marnixR |
| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 8:56 am Post subject: |
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Forum Cosmic Wizard
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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Location: Cardiff, Wales
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a parasite lives of its host without giving anything in return
so the question is : does the brain give anything in return to the body ? considering that the human body dies without a living brain, i'd say so
it doesn't matter whether the brain is merely in a vegetative condition, as long as it is supplied with oxygen and foodstuffs, the body lives
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| Pong |
| Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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Joined: 08 Apr 2008
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Mmm... confirmation bias... yummy. Thanks marnixR. I like shabby.
EDIT: Just to make clear: I agree 100%. |
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| spuriousmonkey |
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 1:31 am Post subject: Re: th human brain is a kluge |
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Forum Ph.D.
Joined: 12 May 2005
Posts: 717
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| marnixR wrote: |
i like this article in New Scientist for a number of reasons :
one is that it brings humans down a peg about how marvelous and unique our brain is : better than other animals maybe, but definitely not the bst possible
another reason why i like this article is that it shows how nature is jury-rigged and not the perfect creation creationist claim it to be
and finally, with a flawed brain like that, how can we be well-placed to evaluate our own capabilities objectively ? |
The whole body is a kluge. It's not really news really for people in evo-devo. You make due with what you have, build on that, and anything that gets the job done is good enough. Perfection is for God, Nature loves tinkering.
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“A scientific man ought to have no wishes, no affections, - a mere heart of stone.” |
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| marnixR |
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 4:49 am Post subject: Re: th human brain is a kluge |
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Forum Cosmic Wizard
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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Location: Cardiff, Wales
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| spuriousmonkey wrote: |
| The whole body is a kluge. It's not really news really for people in evo-devo. You make due with what you have, build on that, and anything that gets the job done is good enough. Perfection is for God, Nature loves tinkering. |
agreed - however, the reason why the brain has been singled out for special treatment in this article is that we as humans always are so proud of our brain and often crow how it is the pinnacle of evolution (whatever that may mean) + tend to forget that it's just another concoction, just like the rest of our body
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| spuriousmonkey |
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:01 am Post subject: |
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True.
Some people still think we can think logically and rationally.
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| Ophiolite |
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 5:33 am Post subject: |
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Forum Radioactive Isotope
Joined: 25 Jul 2005
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| spuriousmonkey wrote: |
| Some people still think we can think logically and rationally. |
True, but that is just an emotional reaction. 
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| marnixR |
| Posted: Mon Jun 09, 2008 9:23 am Post subject: |
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Forum Cosmic Wizard
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
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Location: Cardiff, Wales
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| Ophiolite wrote: |
| spuriousmonkey wrote: |
| Some people still think we can think logically and rationally. |
True, but that is just an emotional reaction. |
so is this reply
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