What's the Next Step in Evolution for Homo Sapiens?

[ignoramus]

Guys, why do they say that we only use about 4% of our brain capacity? (I use 2% just to tie my shoelaces, lol!)
Why would we evolve like that? It's not like evolution does some forecasting and plans ahead?

[Alex K]

Guys, why do they say that we only use about 4% of our brain capacity? (I use 2% just to tie my shoelaces, lol!)
Why would we evolve like that? It's not like evolution does some forecasting and plans ahead?

Because the statement is wrong

[The Valkyrie]

Guys, why do they say that we only use about 4% of our brain capacity? (I use 2% just to tie my shoelaces, lol!)
Why would we evolve like that? It's not like evolution does some forecasting and plans ahead?

The statement is incorrect.

We use our entire brains but not all at once

[KUSA]

One theory on this, the one I hold to, is that the human brain is shrinking because it's rewiring itself, becoming denser and more efficient so a smaller brain can hold more information, not because we're becoming more stupid.

Don't flatter yourself and everyone else. People are getting dumber by the generation. Look at how smart a lot of ancient people were. Look at how stupid 99% of us are now.

[Alex K]

One theory on this, the one I hold to, is that the human brain is shrinking because it's rewiring itself, becoming denser and more efficient so a smaller brain can hold more information, not because we're becoming more stupid.

Don't flatter yourself and everyone else. People are getting dumber by the generation. Look at how smart a lot of ancient people were. Look at how stupid 99% of us are now.

While that narrative is tempting, especially for a teacher like me, J.R. Flynn disagrees...

[Aroura]

Yes, the Flynn effect.
However, haven't we reached some sort of plateau with that? I could swear I read that in the last year or so.

It is tempting to think we are getting dumber, but there isn't really evidence for that. Perhaps our brains are smaller as we've lost parts we weren't using. Old lizard brain stuff, something like that.

Whales have much larger emotional centers, for instance. If that shrunk, they wouldn't necessarily lose overall intelligence, just their heightened emotional intelligence.

Also, are there actually more autistic people? Or is it a combination of more people living who wouldn't have even 150 years ago, combined with broader diagnosis and heightened public awareness?

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Guys, why do they say that we only use about 4% of our brain capacity? (I use 2% just to tie my shoelaces, lol!)
Why would we evolve like that? It's not like evolution does some forecasting and plans ahead?

That's an old idea that is a complete misrepresentation of how the brain works. Humans use most of their brains, its just different parts are for different things. We engage all the parts in our lives, but at different times for different activities. I'm on my phone or I could link a nice pic to show. Our brains have very specialized areas!

[Ravenshire]

We're the only homo species still alive (that we know of). 

With tech we may be in control of our next evolutionary step. Wonder if we will recognize it? Probably not if step is extinction.

If it involves two dicks I want no part of it. More boobs on the other hand...............

So, you'll be wanting more hands, too...

I already want more hands. So much more of the female anatomy to fondle than just boobies.

[The Valkyrie]

Yes, the Flynn effect.
However, haven't we reached some sort of plateau with that? I could swear I read that in the last year or so.

It is tempting to think we are getting dumber, but there isn't really evidence for that. Perhaps our brains are smaller as we've lost parts we weren't using. Old lizard brain stuff, something like that.

Whales have much larger emotional centers, for instance. If that shrunk, they wouldn't necessarily lose overall intelligence, just their heightened emotional intelligence.

Also, are there actually more autistic people? Or is it a combination of more people living who wouldn't have even 150 years ago, combined with broader diagnosis and heightened public awareness?

Much of the "more autism" scare that the anti-vaxxers put down to vaccinations is simply that a large number of mental illnesses have been reclassified as autism over the past 20 years or so.  This, plus a combination of the factors you've mentioned.

Also, compare the infant mortality rates now to what they were even 20-30 years ago.

What a lot of people forget is that mental health studies, like practically every other branch of science, is constantly changing and being updated as new discoveries are made.

[The Valkyrie]

So, you'll be wanting more hands, too...

I already want more hands. So much more of the female anatomy to fondle than just boobies.

Plus they can be more fun when they're just bouncing free...

[Aroura]

Yeah, we forget that not that long ago, an enormous number of children died before they were school aged. I am not sure but it seems that children with mental disabilities would have had an elevated death rate.

I've been studying presidents with my kid, and I was shocked at how many, these being presidents and often wealthy statesmen, having access to better health care and living conditions than your average schmoe, had children die due to accident and/ or illness. Are autistic children more accident prone, particularly if the parents aren't aware they might need more special help than "average" kids? I might be wrong assuming that.