Is it quite possible to isolate intelligence humans for centuries and produce a new breed of human?

Question

Well, I say this because it is possible. However, I want everyone else's opinion. Uhh let's see...I understand that are evolution is very slow to us - and there is inconclusive evidence showing that we are still evolving. This can be seen by simply common sense...better technology, etc...better we are at adapting to our enviroment...therefore, no real need for further evolution to take place. Anyways just some thoughts...I'd rather speed up evolution until we are fine tuned to survive in most pleasant and violent enviroments as well as increase our cognitive abilities.

Correct that: meant to say "intelligent human beings" but whatever

to be honest, I'm bored right now

and I just finished studying microbio for the summer session

Given our potential for mental compacity, I think if a population of human beings were isolated in some hidden cave for centuries on end...do you think we would loose the need for intelligence to survive, essentially dumbing down? Being the optimistic, I would hope to maintain the cognitive abilities while losing some function but improving areas such as how we communicate...possibly -although highly, and I mean highly unlikely in the conditions- that we could learn to communicate through mental capacity alone...provided using sounds wouldnt be feasible nor would touch and feel methods... well I suppose I've been watching too much tv

Corvis nine: I agree with you in that higher intellectual ability comes with an increased risk for psychiatric disorders. I hadnt always scored well in "black and white" consistently to determine if I were smart or average, but after being tested out the *** through several exams, and doing research at a neuro-institute. I found that I was diagnosed to be at risk for numerous psych disorders that test results, and ct's, which correlated to areas of the brain associated with increased levels of activation in specific areas of the brain related to logic (for short).

I always assumed those were just eccentricities, which most are, but the Army, well, they'll take what they can get - and if u score very well, then they wont let u go for nothin

Answer 1

I suspect there are limits to how smart the average person can be. There's a higher incidence of psychiatric disorders as you climb the intellectual ladder. Although this might be the result of trying to get more from the same amount of brain.

We aren't good enough at treating psychiatric disorders yet to deal with an upswing in their incidence that would likely be endemic to such a population.

I suspect that removing the pinch point of brain size among infants that is provided by having to pass through women's pelvic openings will provide a slight boost, but we're troubled by neck problems caused by our heads weight even though our skulls aren't thick (and thus heavy) enough to provide adequate protection for our brains as we are now.

The intelligent will have to reclaim civilization from the philistines to ensure progress and prevent destruction.

Answer 2

sounds like you've already answered yourself.

there *is* that little matter of increasing "intelligent DNA" faster than "unintelligent DNA" ... which MIGHT have a hand in determining which species-direction will ultimaely be declared "winner"

Albert Einstein is reported to have questioned whether intelligence is a "survival-trait" ... whatever *that* means

Answer 3

Well I guess we've bred umpteen different breeds of dogs in a coupla thousand years, right?
Ever read "Darwin on Trial" by Philip E. Johnson? I highly recommend it. (Not to be confused with "Darwinism on Trial")

Answer 4

Can I breed your left breast and isolate it it a compressor tube, insert bicarbonates, and little chicken heads and come out with Edna!!!!

Answer 5

Ah, but brain tissue needs a lot of food to operate, so maybe we need LESS of it.

Answer 6

Should be possible. It's been done in mice and rats.

Answer 7

intelligence is not only heredetary.