Elijah

Yea I don't believe in the random/mistake stuff I just believe we are limited in our understanding of all the factors going into life and our environment. As science, mainly technology progresses we will have a deeper understanding of everything in play, but to go it's random is a hard pill to swallow. Because I see us living in a world where all effects have a causes and nothing is random.

deadman_932

No, you're jumping around between topics that you haven't shown logical connections to. Initially, it was individuals getting old should make you smarter. Then it was epigenetics, then it was if groups have been around a long time, they should be smarter.

The bottom line is that you have absolutely no evidence supporting your claims, whereas there ARE models for encephalization in hominids that do have support. I suggest you learn about those and the limits of epigenetics as well as what constitutes intelligence and cognitive complexity, the fossil/paleoanth/archaeo record that shows NO evidence of super-long-lived humans at all. The fact that no modern studies in cognitive science show the trending effects you mention. In fact, it is precisely the opposite. As you get older, humans tend to LOSE mental agility/abilities.

Y.B

Ever read up on Quantum Mechanics?

Elijah

Some. Heisenberg was a pimp.

Chuck Rightmire

Some scientists have recently said that a major change in life spans did, in fact, make us wiser and more adaptable about 30,000 years ago. At that time, they say, our life span of about 30 years doubled so that grandparents existed to pass on the traditions and the lore of the tribe. That seems to be indicated in the growth of bones found at various points during that time frame. But that is nowhere near the life spans of the Patriarchs and their story is simply fantasms in high gear. Again, go back and look at what the Medieval beastiaries claim existed in their time. Humans have a great ability to make things up. Probably a better ability to make things up than tell the truth. Look at the headline over most news stories. It may say more than the story.

deadman_932

I'm not trying to be mean, Elijah, but seriously, you have to do better than this. You're offering up raw, unconnected and unsupported claims as though they have genuine value. It reminds me of the caricatures of stoned college freshmen in a dorm speculating on atomic particles as little worlds with little people on them. "Whoa, Do0d."
Truth is, I don't MIND raw speculation at times, but you have to know what current knowledge allows. In other words, while it's fun to imagine you personally going faster than light, you're going to have to deal with relativistic effects and how you overcame that little problem of increase in mass as you accellerate.

Y.B

For the evil "There IS randomness and non-causal phenomena in nature" lobby?

*shock horror*

Elijah

Maybe as you're getting older you're slipping as you're aging, but I'm learning and growing.

Learning or mental exertion leads to growth in the brain. Creating new connections and whatever.

Problem is that people are associating diseases (Alzheimer's) that sometimes occur in old age with aging itself.

Elijah

It's just not understood properly. It's all forms anyway.

Vicious Love

Argument from Chilling Sense of Own Mortality imminent. Remain calm. Ingest or inhale todesangst-relieving compounds if necessary.