a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment
mk  ·  4397 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: The Human Neocortex

    My main question then I guess is, why are we so special.

My best guess is that it is a combination of factors. I'd be surprised if the neocortex wasn't a big one. It is an interesting idea is that once cultural ratcheting is possible, the 'specialness' of that animal can grow very large and very quickly. Almost like the difference between birds that can fly and birds that can't. They are very similar, but just a small physical difference makes for very distinct behavioral possibilities. Perhaps the analogy enabled brain can simply take off.