Brain complexity: more important than size (Introduction)

by dhw, Sunday, November 26, 2017, 13:52 (2554 days ago) @ David Turell

DAVID: The processes we know from modern brains is enlargement and contraction within the same skull size accommodated by the fluid layer around the brain. I assume this process existed in hominin times since evolution builds on what is newly accomplished at each stage. Your proposal does not fit this with the 200cc jumps in size and hen the new artifacts appear.

I keep explaining the jumps, and you keep telling me I haven’t explained them! I’ll try again, starting with the proven fact that the brain changes when it implements new concepts. Each jump therefore took place when enlargement and contraction of EXISTING cells could not cope with new concepts. Example: concept of spear. Implementation of concept requires new skills beyond capacity of existing brain and skull. Effort to implement concept results in additional cells . Brain and skull undergo jump. For a while, process of enlargement and contraction sufficient for needs. New concepts arrive, new jump needed to produce new artefacts. Each jump is result of effort to implement new concepts. Point reached (say 300,000 years ago) when more jumps impractical for body. New concepts implemented through rewiring/complexification. For next stage see below.

DAVID: The H. sapiens brain is 300,000 years old, and in the past 10,000 years filled with an enormous number of new concepts filling huge libraries of books, and has gotten a little smaller recently. This is precisely opposite to your theory.

Already explained, but I’ll try yet again. 300,000 years ago brain reached optimum size – further expansion impractical for rest of body. New concepts implemented by rewiring/complexification (preceded by brief, minor expansion). 10,000 years ago, enormous number of new concepts. Why? As in all evolution, individuals start things off and others follow suit. 10,000 years ago bright individuals came up with concepts that others built on. Result: ever increasing complexity of brain (process so efficient that brains shrink, or discard cells no longer required) as new concepts implemented – process proven by modern science. Brains do not complexify BEFORE required to do so. They complexify in response to new demands. “This is precisely opposite to your theory.”

DAVID: You are also asking God to have automatic speciation instead of His stepping in. That is fine with me as He is still in complete control since He gave the hominins the complete method.

In my hypothesis it is not automatic. It is governed by the intelligence (or otherwise, since most species became extinct) of the different cell communities. “In complete control” is not clear, so let’s try to clarify what “control” means here. If he gave organisms (including hominins) the method to fashion their own evolution because he wanted to leave them free to do it their own way, he does not completely control the way they evolve. He is in control in the sense that their autonomous quest for survival/improvement is what he wants.