Here is a pretty interesting interview with Lahn who's research:
...asserts that new versions of two genes are currently spreading through the human population, and that these genes are more prevalent in some geographic regions than others. He has speculated that these genes may be linked to brain size and intelligence and has wondered if the mutations—one of which took place roughly 40,000 years ago, the other, 5,800 years ago—correlate with the development of art, written language, and the founding of cities. And he stepped on more than a few feet when he noted that, geographically speaking, the changes had occurred pretty much everywhere but sub-Saharan Africa.
Pretty controversial eh?!
3 Comments:
sometimes science isn't polite. showing some sort of causality is kind of a chore, though, since the development of serious cities and nations can really easily be tied to geography ("guns, germs, and steel," anyone?). If you could domesticate a rhino, sub-saharan africa would currently dominate the world. I'd put $100-hypothetibucks on it.
Tue Sep 12, 10:10:05 AM CDT
lets write a grant to do that...
Tue Sep 12, 10:17:56 AM CDT
The development of serious cities and nations 500 years ago or 5000 years ago might have something to do with some of the hypotheses in GGS. The development of serious universities, research centers, and major commerce today has more to do with human capital. Notice what happened to the prospects for high technology and advanced science when Rhodesia became Mugabe's white hating Zimbabwe? Human capital.
Sun Sep 17, 05:51:16 PM CDT
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