A new scientific research

[ManuelXX]

I give you the link about a correlation between evolution and autism. The article is in Italian but you can use a translator and read it. It's very interesting. Le possibili ragioni per cui si è evoluto l'autismo

 

[Outdated]

I didn't read the article but there's been a couple of different theories like these over the years. Some speculate that we're throwbacks from neanderthals, others worry that we're the future evolution of mankind and their own kind is dying out. All very divisive, an "us versus them" mentality.

 

[Nervous Rex]

I think there is an evolutionary advantage for the species to have a certain number of autistic people.

NTs tend to observe and copy behaviours more naturally, tending to do things the way they have always been done. I don't - and I realized this because I will do something and someone will ask, "Why did you do it that way? Why didn't you do it the way everyone else does?" ... and the answer is that I simply didn't notice how everyone else does it so I figured out my own way.

Sometimes my attempt fails and sometimes I find a better way than "the way it's always been done."

It seems to me that this would, in general, be advantageous for a certain percentage of the population to always be trying something different. When a better way is found, the entire species can benefit. In my grandiose imaginations, I can picture all of society's advancements being made this way.

 

[Judge]

I didn't read the article but there's been a couple of different theories like these over the years. Some speculate that we're throwbacks from neanderthals, others worry that we're the future evolution of mankind and their own kind is dying out. All very divisive, an "us versus them" mentality.

Inadvertent or not, politicization of science and/or pseudo-science often leads to tragic consequences. Frequently involving some kind of assertion of superiority versus inferiority.

When a quest for truth can potentially get mired in ideological or personal biases.

"The only way to win is not to play the game". - War Games (1983)

 

[Grondhammar]

My Italian is on the order of two dozen words (most of them associated with food), so Google Translate:

Lower gene activity in connecting neurons may have slowed the maturation of the human brain after birth. It means that our neocortex remained plastic and malleable for longer, extending the window in which environment and culture could leave a lasting impression . This prolongation of brain development is considered one of the crucial factors that allowed humans to learn language, accumulate knowledge, and transmit it. In other words, the same transformations that made us capable of language and culture are also those that increased the likelihood that, in certain individuals, the system would exceed the critical threshold and autistic traits would appear.

(their bolding not mine, though it is helpful)

It's an interesting article. It reminds me of one the meditations I do, "I am the way I am because my parents, grandparents, and ancestors were the way they were".

I don't think this extended malleability (or over-extended, I guess they're saying) explains all autistic traits. But it does cover some of them, like @Nervous Rex's example of not noticing how everyone else is doing things (which I definitely relate to! Could go on about how many times I've been told "don't reinvent the wheel" and how many times I've answered "try hooking a Model T wheel to an F1 car and let me know how it goes"... anyway).

Good food for thought, thanks!

 

[Outdated]

Inadvertent or not, politicization of science and/or pseudo-science often leads to tragic consequences. Frequently involving some kind of assertion of superiority versus inferiority.

Yep, there's so many variations, rich versus poor, black versus white, one religion versus another. One of the most dangerous and inflamatory situations is the Haves versus the Have Nots. In some societies it's taken to extremes with politics too, one party versus another.

It's all a part of the same thing though. In all societies it's very easy to promote this kind of black and white thinking, right or wrong with no grey areas in between, the simplicity of it appeals to a lot of people. Good and Evil.

Once led down this path it's very easy to trigger people's racism/bigotry reactions and to polarise a society. Once divided like that they're very easily manipulated and controlled to deliver great political power. This usually doesn't end well for the population being manipulated.

 

[TBRS1]

I didn't read the article but there's been a couple of different theories like these over the years. Some speculate that we're throwbacks from neanderthals, others worry that we're the future evolution of mankind and their own kind is dying out. All very divisive, an "us versus them" mentality.

I wanna be a Neanderthal.

Are there t-shirts available that say "Out of my way, Homo sapiens!"

 

[Outdated]

Are there t-shirts available that say "Out of my way, Homo sapiens!"

Humanity 2.0 is here. Upgrade now.

 

[Judge]

Another film I saw recently was "Clan of the Cave Bear". A tale of a Cro-Magnon child (Darryl Hannah) found by a Neanderthal tribe living in a cave. Though it was the Neanderthal males who thought they were superior to her until she started hunting with a sling, which was considered "man's work". All conjecture, of course.

Though the film was quick to point out that the Neanderthals mysteriously disappeared from pre-history at some point in time.

Probably the only other reasonable film speculating early man might have been "Quest For Fire". Of course I won't even consider "One Million B.C." for any number of reasons, starting with actress Raquel Welch's Jurassic makeup and hairstyle artist...lol.

 

[Outdated]

Another film I saw recently was "Clan of the Cave Bear".

I never knew there was a film, I read the books by Jean M Auel many years ago.

6 books in the series, the first book is brilliant, the second is slow and boring, the third book becomes sort of interesting again, the last 3 books aren't worth bothering with, so boring.

 

[Judge]

I never knew there was a film, I read the books by Jean M Auel many years ago.

6 books in the series, the first book is brilliant, the second is slow and boring, the third book becomes sort of interesting again, the last 3 books aren't worth bothering with, so boring.

My guess would be that the movie would probably serve as a bit of a letdown for you.

 

[Outdated]

My guess would be that the movie would probably serve as a bit of a letdown for you.

I get upset when a movie detours away from the original story, and very few film makers imagine things the way I do so if I've already read the books then I will never watch the films.

The only movie I've ever seen that matches the book verbatim is The Chronicles of Riddick.

 

[Judge]

I get upset when a movie detours away from the original story, and very few film makers imagine things the way I do so if I've already read the books then I will never watch the films.

The only movie I've ever seen that matches the book verbatim is The Chronicles of Riddick.

I liked all the Riddick films, but never read any of the books.

 

[TBRS1]

Humanity 2.0 is here. Upgrade now.

If it turns out that people like us are actually the future of the human race, the t-shirt I'm gonna buy will say "Get outta my way, you primitive hominids".

 

[Hypnalis]

Lower gene activity in connecting neurons may have slowed the maturation of the human brain after birth. It means that our neocortex remained plastic and malleable for longer, extending the window in which environment and culture could leave a lasting impression . This prolongation of brain development is considered one of the crucial factors that allowed humans to learn language, accumulate knowledge, and transmit it. In other words, the same transformations that made us capable of language and culture are also those that increased the likelihood that, in certain individuals, the system would exceed the critical threshold and autistic traits would appear.

Thanks @ManuelXX (and @TBRS1 for the translation)

This makes a lot of sense.
It's already in my short list of the most interesting science ever about ASD based only on this paragraph.

The human-normal long post-birth period of brain development is very very strange when compared with other mammals (probably all animals).

And it has to be quite new: From memory only: .. I think there were two distinct, rapid (by the standards of evolutionary time) changes in brain size: one maybe 1.5 million years ago, and one maybe 750K.
H. Sapiens is about 300K years old.

The genes for the skeleton (in this case the relatively huge skull) can't be unusual - evolved size changes are common in animals.

But the brain development in the first couple of years of life might be unique - if not it's close to it.
So the genes are "new" and/or "repurposed". It would make sense that there are still relatively many variants that show up as perceptible differences.

Reminder: in evolution, good/bad is about collective survival. The easiest objective short term measurement for an individual is the number of viable adult grandchildren they have.

Variations in "new" genetics are inevitable. Whether they're better, worse, or neutral in terms of survival seems to be difficult to assess - especially "neutral" side effects of something that contributes directly (and early in life) to survival.

 

[Outdated]

Variations in "new" genetics are inevitable. Whether they're better, worse, or neutral in terms of survival seems to be difficult to assess - especially "neutral" side effects of something that contributes directly (and early in life) to survival.

Polymorphism. Small variations happen with every birth, some turn out to be beneficial in the longer term.

 

[Mary Terry]

Another film I saw recently was "Clan of the Cave Bear". A tale of a Cro-Magnon child (Darryl Hannah) found by a Neanderthal tribe living in a cave. Though it was the Neanderthal males who thought they were superior to her until she started hunting with a sling, which was considered "man's work". All conjecture, of course.

Though the film was quick to point out that the Neanderthals mysteriously disappeared from pre-history at some point in time.

Probably the only other reasonable film speculating early man might have been "Quest For Fire". Of course I won't even consider "One Million B.C." for any number of reasons, starting with actress Raquel Welch's Jurassic makeup and hairstyle artist...lol.

I read all the Clan of the Cave Bear books years ago. I have a DVD of "Quest for Fire", one of the funniest, violent, and thought-provoking movies made in a long time.

 

[Judge]

have a DVD of "Quest for Fire", one of the funniest, violent, and thought-provoking movies made in a long time.

Makes me wonder how many ancient tribal rituals demanded the deaths of bald males "who couldn't hold their fire".....LOL

As I recall, I think author Anthony Burgess created the language they were using in that film. Same guy who wrote "Clockwork Orange". But I don't recall seeing any of the droogies er...uh...cavemen wearing bowlers.

 

[Mary Terry]

Makes me wonder how many ancient tribal rituals demanded the deaths of bald males "who couldn't hold their fire".....LOL

As I recall, I think author Anthony Burgess created the language they were using in that film. Same guy who wrote "Clockwork Orange". But I don't recall seeing any of the droogies er...uh...cavemen wearing bowlers.

There isn't much language in the film other than grunts and screams. No need for close captioning!

 

[Judge]

There isn't much language in the film other than grunts and screams. No need for close captioning!

I just still find it amusing to find the lead young woman in that group is Tommy Chong's daughter. I think that was her (Rae Dawn Chong) film debut.