The human brain -- bigger is not necessarily better

[theHandpuppet]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4277359.stm

Size 'does not matter' for brains

By Michelle Roberts
BBC News Health reporter, Washington DC
?
When it comes to brain size and intelligence, bigger is not necessarily better, say scientists.

Although our brains are triple the size of our primitive ancestors, history suggests the growth had nothing to do with becoming smarter.

Ancient man went through two periods where brain mass increased, yet during these times toolmaking techniques did not improve, says William Calvin.

The Washington University professor says other factors must be responsible.

More...

[Igel]

1. Maybe it's not the growth but the pruning. n/t

[ladjf]

2. The "match up" between an organism and its context is the

key to whether or not the individual prospers. Raw intelligence, or should I say abstract "computing" power of the brain is only one of the organism's attributes that relates to the context. It's plain to see that Man's brain it not directing the species toward a level of higher survival, but rather, toward annihilation, self-extinction. There should be a new word "shortgevity" to describe the brief tenure
of homo sepian as they break all records for shortgevity.

[Massacure]

3. Isn't it a fact that humans only use about 10% of their brain

during the course of our entire lifetime?

[SlackJawedYokel]

4. No, that's one of them thar urban myths.

I love The Straight Dope.
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a3_028.html
http://www.snopes.com/science/stats/10percnt.htm

Between TSD and Snopes, you'd be surprised at how much you've heard isn't true or exactly what is said.

Cletus

[Donkeyboy75]

5. Neandertals had bigger brains

than H. sapiens, and it probably didn't help them much...

[NationalEnquirer]

6. Elephants would rule the earth...

[JitterbugPerfume]

7. uhhhhh

they do-----Republicans --elephants


get it?


Ok ---I wil go take a nap now