-The Argument
According to David Shenk, “every human being (even a whole society) can grow smarter if the environment demands it” (p. 44). Shenk’s stresses how the development of humans is significantly dictated by different types of abiotic and biotic factors of the surrounding environment. In what way has James Flynn and his Flynn effect (p. 42) supported the view that environment demands intelligence? How is Shenk’s concept involved with resource partitioning, where similar species are able to carve their own unique niches by the division of necessary resources? In addition, how is Shenk’s concept related to character displacement, where the same species diverge in their characteristics when living in overlapping populations unlike separated populations of the same species? Think about how we can associate Shenk’s assertion to interdependence in nature. In terms of different cultures, why do Eskimos have greater knowledge on how to survive the lasting winters of Alaska and Canada yet the average American only knows a minute amount of such knowledge?
-Trish Chari (trishtennis@gmail.com)
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ReplyDeleteThe main reason people in this day and age are “smarter” (a term I am loath to use) is mainly because of the greater need for abstract reasoning in the modern day. As Shenk points out, “a century ago, in a less complicated world, there was very little familiarity with what are now considered basic abstract concepts. (p. 42) The new environment in which we grow up in, where most people have been conditioned to think in an abstract manner, leads us to make greater sense of those abstract concepts so alien to the people of the late 19th-early 20th centuries. This is an example of interdependence in nature, the biological theme that states that "both organism[s] and environment[s] are affected by the interactions between them" (Campbell 6). Here, the increased population of the human race has required increased specialization on the part of humanity to fill more intraspecific niches; in the case of the modern day, intellectual, more abstract niches.
DeleteShenk’s concept may initially seem contradictory to the idea of character displacement; indeed, would it make any sense for species to diverge while overlapping? That seems to go against Shenk’s “twin studies”, noting that isolated twins tended to be very different from one another; however, when a population becomes extremely large, as it has in humanity, then individuals within the species need to specialize. When individuals of the species begin to specialize in their characteristics, they pass on those characteristics to their offspring – “what an individual does in his/her life before having children can change the biological inheritance of those children and their descendants” (p. 161) – and the children of those parents begin to specialize more. Thus, the specialization demanded by a large population results in character displacement.
One study suggests that " humans might have specialized in a particular kind of intelligence that is related to understanding mental states such as desires, intentions and beliefs. Data indicate that the ability to reflect on one's own mental states, as well as those of others, might be the result of evolutionary changes in the prefrontal cortex." (http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/016622369593939U) This abstract specialization that led to the divergence of the human species from the great apes seems very similar to the specialization occurring now, where niches within human populations are developing in more abstract fields, making more humans able to understand these fundamental concepts, however abstract. So, the increased specialization of the human species has resulted in the increase in "intelligence" regarding abstract concepts, and, thus, a different understanding of the world at large.
Ari Bakke
aribakke@gmail.com
As Ari mentions, the main reason for the Flynn effect is the greater need for abstract reasoning in modern times. However, why has there been a greater need for abstract reasoning over time, and why will humans continue to become smarter over time? The answer lies in competition within our culture. As Shenk points out, some of the greatest art in the world came out of the Italian Renaissance (149) in which every great artist of Italy was constantly trying to produce a work even better than that of his or her rivals. Why was the U.S. the first country to put a man on the moon? Because we were working as hard as we could to get someone on the moon before Russia did. Competition is the force that leads to genius.
ReplyDeleteThe Campbell textbook talks about competition (which relates to Interdependence in Nature): “Even a slight…advantage will eventually lead to local elimination of the inferior competitor” (1199). In humans, competition doesn’t usually lead to death of the competitor, but it could lead to not having a job, not being the first to make a ground breaking discovery, not becoming famous, et cetera. Competition in human culture keeps genius at remarkable heights and causes genius to become greater and greater every day. This can be related to resource partitioning. For example, if there is a kid who is very good at basketball but also very intelligent in human anatomy, it is more likely that this kid will find his or her “niche” in becoming a doctor rather than going on to professional basketball. Because only true geniuses in terms of basketball will end up going pro, this makes our basketball stars stay up to the highest standard. People who strive to be in the NBA will have to work harder and harder every day in order to make it, and the NBA will continue to get more and more talented because it is so selective.
Competition fostering genius in culture can also relate to character displacement. In the current economy, many students out of college find it very difficult to find jobs. In such a difficult market, some will decide to pursue something other than their passion in order to get a job and be able to live on their own. Such high competition will cause people to do things they normally wouldn’t just to get by. Why do people live in the harsh winters of Alaska? Most likely because of the high competition in the warmer areas caused people to become more knowledgeable of the cold places in order to live there.
Brad Tiller
brad.tiller@comcast.net