Jim

Jake,

I would say for sure that how a religion regards incestuous relationships, hereditary Monarchy, and heterosexual relationships across religious lines would have an affect on the genetics of the adhersnts.

Likewise, if a religion–such as Christian Identity, original Mormonism, Black Hebrew Israelites, The Nation of Islam, or Ancestral…[Read more]

Simon Paynton wrote:

_Robert_ wrote:
Yes, but can you think of any biological characteristic including the behavior of living things that does not ultimately stem from our genetic composition?

Well, you could say that all behaviour is biological, because it’s carried out by human beings with biological bodies. I think it’s more relevant to loo…

[Read more]

_Robert_ wrote:
Yes, but can you think of any biological characteristic including the behavior of living things that does not ultimately stem from our genetic composition?

Well, you could say that all behaviour is biological, because it’s carried out by human beings with biological bodies.  I think it’s more relevant to look at the reasons for…[Read more]

Simon Paynton wrote:

_Robert_ wrote:
Unfortunately, even though many antivaxers might erase themselves during a pandemic, the ties to a representative genotype are so complicated that the behavior will not become a phenotype in the normal sense.

I think it’s a case of culturally-induced suicide, rather than maladaptive genes.

Yes, but can you t…[Read more]

_Robert_ wrote:
Unfortunately, even though many antivaxers might erase themselves during a pandemic, the ties to a representative genotype are so complicated that the behavior will not become a phenotype in the normal sense.

I think it’s a case of culturally-induced suicide, rather than maladaptive genes.

Unseen wrote:
Cooperation has to be taught through positive and negative reinforcement.

Are you actually a parent, Simon?

I’m not a parent.  According to laboratory experiments, they develop the skills by around the age of 3.  I should have been more precise.  The point is they don’t need to be taught, they do things like respect commitments an…[Read more]

Unfortunately, even though many antivaxers might erase themselves during a pandemic, the ties to a representative genotype are so complicated that the behavior will not become a phenotype in the normal sense.

I was being facetious with that Vegas over under. Silly even.

Phew, glad to know that because They’re gonna put it down, on the Vegas strip

Simon Paynton wrote:
There are all kinds of people who shouldn’t be here if Mother Nature had anything to do with it. For humans, it’s not so much survival of the fittest, it’s the survival of the most cooperative. That’s why young children are born knowing how to cooperate.

If they are “born knowing how to cooperate,” why don’t they. Childre…[Read more]

Enco,

I was being facetious with that Vegas over under. Silly even.

Was quite serious about the possibility that Islam which dictates EVERY SINGLE ASPECT OF LIFE causes inherited stupidity. There are severe pentalties and debilitating anxiety suffered by its adherents/victims for thinking or questioning. And women ain’t typically doing the…[Read more]

Jake,

Is it a stretch or bigotry to wonder whether century after century of Islam has caused a dumbing of the general population? If animals living underground or in caves generation after generation have in many cases lost their eyesight does generation after generation of Islamic life make epigentic changes both through the failure to…

[Read more]

Robert,

Yes…Humans are no longer subject to the normal genetic screening processes. In many cases the least-fittest humans can propagate as much as anyone. It seems the struggle is changing to the situation where we somehow force our environment to adapt to us. We will fail, of course. Elon Musk can’t even build a decent electric truck, let alo…

[Read more]

There are all kinds of people who shouldn’t be here if Mother Nature had anything to do with it.  For humans, it’s not so much survival of the fittest, it’s the survival of the most cooperative.  That’s why young children are born knowing how to cooperate.

How long before we wipe ourselves out?

Vegas has over/under at 22 yrs & 6 months?

If you take the under it may be a little problematic to collect.

_Robert_ wrote:
In many cases the least-fittest humans can propagate as much as anyone.

Yes, millions of years of evolution have resulted in … me.  How did that happen?

I think we’re extremely strongly shaped by evolution, biologically and psychologically.  That’s both a curse and a benefit.  How long before we wipe ourselves out?

Yes…Humans are no longer subject to the normal genetic screening processes. In many cases the least-fittest humans can propagate as much as anyone. It seems the struggle is changing to the situation where we somehow force our environment to adapt to us. We will fail, of course. Elon Musk can’t even build a decent electric truck, let alone gui…[Read more]

Simon Paynton wrote:

Reg the Fronkey Farmer wrote:
Ancient human evolution is “unparalleled” in nature.

I too have read it was climate change that drove the evolution of new human species, because it opened up new niches. Every new niche means a new species. But

the pattern in Homo species suggests that technology played a far greater role in…

[Read more]

Reg the Fronkey Farmer wrote:
Ancient human evolution is “unparalleled” in nature.

I too have read it was climate change that drove the evolution of new human species, because it opened up new niches.  Every new niche means a new species.  But

the pattern in Homo species suggests that technology played a far greater role in speci…

[Read more]

Reg,

There’s “a realistic possibility” that insects, octopuses, crustaceans, fish and other overlooked animals experience consciousness.

I should say so. They all have eyes, antennae, feelers, and in the case of catfish, taste buds on the skin. Still looking for their Tigris-Euphrates, Alexandria, Wall Street, and Houston Launch Pad, though.

Reg,

Lots of wise thoughts from Dennett on epistemology and metaphysics, but economic history shows that In Gold We Trust is more solid monetary footing than “In God We Trust” on paper.

We wouldn’t have the present Inflation, Stagflation and Shrinkflation if the amount of Dollars hinged on the amount of Gold for which a Dollar is exchangeable.…[Read more]