sizemik

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Posts by sizemik

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  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

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  sizemik

  Over time that "laziness"may have an effect on neurologically based skills . . . I'm not sure. . . . size

  "Over time that 'laziness' may have an effect on neurologically based skills"... which is what I think the study is SAYING. . . . AGuest

  If the study is saying that, then it's pure 100% speculation . . . which is why I used the word "may" and added "I'm not sure"

  An evolutionary change comes from genetic mutations which are "selected" as either advantageous or not by environment. Advantageous mutation is preserved because the advantage increases the likelihood of successful reproduction . . . thus the change becomes established in favour of the original genetic composition.

  The only way permanent evolutionary change occurs is through the disappearance of the less successful and the emergence of the advantaged. This is not the same as passing on "habits" or "behaviours" from one generation to the next.

  Natural selection by environment is the determining factor . . . not socially inherited traits. Any effect on neurologically based skills will have given the humans then living an advantage in the current environment . . . that's why "devolution" simply can't happen . . . it's a death sentence for the individual weakened by adverse mutation.

  The time intervals involved stretch well beyond the technological changes of the last 5000 years.
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  8

  CNN: Victims welcome Australian child sex abuse investigation

  by AndersonsInfo in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  google_ad_section_startstartclickprintincludevictims welcome australian child sex abuse investigationendclickprintincludestartclickprintexcludeno partnerby monica attard for cnnupdated 12:21 am est, tue november 13, 2012google_ad_section_endstartclickprintexcludeaustralia's catholic church is facing claims of widespread abuse by members of the clergy.story highlightsgoogle_ad_section_startaustralia to investigate institutional responses to allegations of child sex abusecountry's catholic church facing claims of systemic cover-ups by church hierarchysenior police officer: church complicit by moving offending priests, destroying evidenceprime minister julia gillard says the inquiry will not be limited to the catholic churchgoogle_ad_section_endendclickprintexcludegoogle_ad_section_startstartclickprintincludesydney, australia (cnn) -- in ireland it took years to weed out the details of systemic sexual abuse of children by catholic clergy.. in australia, prime minister julia gillard has put no time limit on what will be the most wide-ranging inquiry into child sex abuse in the nation's history -- one that will not be confined to the catholic church.. as she announced the establishment of a royal commission into institutional responses to instances and allegations of child sex abuse, gillard said the inquiry would not target any one church but would encompass all religious institutions, state institutions, schools and not-for-profit groups like scouts and sports clubs.. read: irish report damns catholic church abuse response.

  "there have been too many revelations of adults who have averted their eyes from this evil," she said.. the evil of which she speaks is said by the mother of one victim to be endemic.. pat feenan's son, daniel, is now 36 years old.. this is a royal commission which will be looking across religious organizations as well as state-based care and the not-for-profit sector.

  it is not targeted at any one section or religion.. pm julia gillard.

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  sizemik

  Thanks Barbara . . .

  This development must have lifted a lot of spirits . . . I know a few here in NZ who are finally feeling that the world has started to care, and are shedding tears of joy that the burden is being lifted from thier shoulders and placed where it belongs.

  I believe the next few years will see a major shift.

  I expect you both share the same sense of gratification . . . that things are changing meaningfully at last.
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  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  sizemik

  How do we know they were non verbal for sure? . . . sab

  Good question sab . . . and there's no definitive answer. Paleontologist suggest that the ability to form the complex sound variations that enable speech was the result of the gradual re-alignment of the larynx as primates took on bipedalism . . . so chances seem likely it evolved in it's own linguistic evolution (as opposed to biological) from that point.
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  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  sizemik

  I guess the principle could be . . . as you free the mind from some tasks, you open up the opportunity to apply it to others.
• 
  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  sizemik

  technology by nature does tend to put the genius of the few in the hands of the many. . . . TD

  Agreed . . . but then the few (which in actual numbers is quite a few) cannot be dismissed when evaluating the relative levels of human intelligence over time, unless you generalise through statistics. It tends to add weight to tammy's reasoning . . .

  People aren't getting less intelligent. Just lazier. (generally speaking) . . . tec

  Over time that "laziness"may have an effect on neurologically based skills . . . I'm not sure. Any fool can use a spreadsheet sure . . . but a skilled user will use such a tool to produce intelligent results . . . as with the skilled user of a sextant.
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  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  sizemik

  I think people are getting dumber in the sense that we rely far too much on technology to do our thinking for us. . . . tec

  It can seem that way in some areas. But there is a paradox here . . . the technology itself is the result of some pretty high quality thinking. Medicine, space travel, to name just a couple are achieving some amazing results from some very complex thinking. There are so many facets to the subject . . . that hard and fast conclusions will still be a long way off I feel.
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  37

  AUSTRALIA - Prime Minister Gillard has just announced a National Royal Commission into Child Abuse within Religions

  by jwleaks in

  1. watchtower
  2. child-abuse

  australia's prime minister julia gillard has announced a national royal commission into child abuse within religions and religious charities (not-for-profit sector).

  julia gillard announces royal commission will probe child sex abuse.

  royal commission to probe child abuse.

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  sizemik

  Interesting point mP . . .

  It is my opinion that contemporary moral standards have evolved well beyond what was practiced 2000+ years ago, regardless of what was said or written. When you look around the world . . . it is those countries still steeped in the religious traditions of the past, that engage in the most morally repugnant behaviour.

  You only need to look at where this problem has found it's most comfortable residing place.
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  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  sizemik

  Chariklo . . . what are your thoughts on the OP? . . . and some of the other views presented?
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  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  sizemik

  Would that answer be in the "lot of folks" or in the very peculiar. . . . Chariklo

  There are a lot of contrary opinions to the OP's conclusions . . . many of them presenting valid information. There are a good number of nice, clear, logical answers. I'm sorry if they appear boring or confusing. Read the entire thread and all will become clear.

  The apology was offered because I've obviously misinterpreted your question . . . as you still maintain. I accept that . . . whether you accept the apology or not, is not my choice.
• 
  233

  Human Devolution? Interesting Article...

  by AGuest in

  1. jw
  2. friends

  are humans really getting dumber (may you all have peace)?

  there have many positions on this for both sides.

  saw an announcement on the news this morning and was intrigued: could it be true?

  1. 
  2. 
  3. 
• 

  sizemik

  Just who does your "us" stand for, NC?

  I seem intent on enforcing a polarisation because I merely asked for clarification?

  It was your opening word "Just" and the use of inverted commas . . .

  If I've misjudged your question, I apologise.

  But also in my response . . . you will find the answer to your question.