h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: The Evolution of The Brain From The Primate Line - A1035947
Author: Lachesis - U225624

hehe, well, I know this one is quite in depth, but sometimes people just want to be overloaded with information, you know?!

Tee hee!

In some ways you might need to intially ake it longer; terms like 'adaptive radiation' will either want an explination in a foot note or in the text, or, and I'm not sure that it is mentioned, to be linked to an already edited entry on evolution that mentions it....
It would be easier to read, I think, if it could be organised to have headings, and some bits seem suited to being put in lists/bulleted lists... See what the others think

Hello Lachesis, A little more info wouldn't hurt!

I, too, am uncertain what was meant by adaptive radiation, but since you mentioned it in regard to evolution in general, I felt I could infer a definition.

What I would like to see in the entry is some discussion over the way scientists have identified complexity of brain construction with intelligence. If memory serves, more primitive man had a smoother brain, whereas ours are much more convoluted.

Maybe you could discuss this major part of the evolution of the brain?

Some guide ML wouldn't go amiss, And there's plenty of scope for more information, too, but you've got the basis for a useful entry here.

Not sure what you mean by (Similar to what?)

A footnote to old world monkeys pointing out that this makes them more closely related to us than they are to new world monkeys might be of interest.

Noggin

The author doesn't appear to have returned to the site since the middle of June -- should we consider moving the thread for this interesting entry to the Flea Market?

What dost thou mean?! I'm right here!!

I don't know, all this talk about fleas is making me itchy!

:P

Hi there, Lachesis!

If you're back among us again, are you interested in responding to any of the comments above about your entry here?

I don't think I could agree with the conclusion of this entry. You say "The most logical explanation for an increased cranial capacity is that additional neurons are needed in order to deal with an increased amount of body mass".

But the rest of the entry is not about the size of the brain, it is about the brain to body ratio. You seem to be saying that because chimps evolved into bigger animals which became men, they grew in size, so they needed bigger brains. But gorillas also became bigger, without correspondingly bigger brains. Your conclusion seems therefore to be unrelated to the rest of the facts presented in the entry.

There are other things I'd like to see in the entry. You talk about the different types of hominids, but then later on sudenly talk about "Neandertals" which you haven't mentioned before. Where do they fit in? Are they a type of _homo_ ? And what about homo erectus, homo habilis, do they deserve a mention?

Yes, indeed I am interested in replying!

Replies shall be posted forthwith (by forthwith, I mean in the next week! )

Right now, my arms are too tired to type replies, due to painting living room, and having to face bedroom next! This is not an hoopy prospect! Need !

Yes yes yes, mikey, you little humming beastie! I do in fact realise that my definition of a week is slightly longer than most people's...in fact, one Lachesis-week is the equivalent to 1.567 months. Not many people know that, you are now one of the privileged few.

I will get to manipulating this entry soon though, really!

Are you still working on this?

Alex

Lachesis hasn't posted since November, should we consider moving this thread to the Flea Market?

Sounds like a plan...

And the plan is a good one. Consider this seconded for a move to the Flea Market

No no no! That plan is most definitely not a good one!

Flea market indeed! *affects offended stance*

I haven't forgotten about it, don't panic!