Coevolution of Brain, Culture, and Lifespan: Insights from Computer Simulations

Abstract

Humans possess a number of traits that are rare or absent in other primates, including large brain size, culture, language, extended lifespan (LS), and long post reproductive period. Here, we use a computer model, TribeSim, originally designed to explore the autocatalytic coevolution of the hominin brain and culture within the framework of the "cultural drive" theory, to find out how culture and brain could coevolve with LS (or aging rate). We show that in the absence of cul ture, the evolution of LS depends on the intensity of the between group competition (BGC): strong BGC results in shorter LS. Culture, however, favors genetic evolution of longer LS even if the BGC is strong. Extended LS, in turn, enhances cul tural development, thus creating positive feedback. Cultural evolution of LS (accumulation of survival enhancing or sur vival impairing knowledge) differs from the genetic evolution of the same trait, partially because "memes" (ideas, skills, and behaviors) that reduce the risk of death tend to spread in the meme pool even if it is not beneficial to genes. Consequently, cultural evolution of aging tends to result in longer LS than genetic evolution of the same trait. If LS evolves both geneti cally and culturally, the typical result is a society in which young individuals, due to their genetic predisposition, lead a riski er lifestyle in exchange for a chance to gain additional resources, but accumulate survival enhancing knowledge with age. Simulations also showed that cultural evolution of adaptive behaviors can contribute to the genetic evolution of a long post reproductive period, e.g., if the presence of knowledgeable long livers increases the competitiveness of the group.

Psychic Life-Biological Molecule Bidirectional Relationship: Pathways, Mechanisms, and Consequences for Medical and Psychological Sciences—A Narrative Review

“…This is particularly evident in the most recent, and in our opinion convincing, reconstruction of the emergence of articulated language in Homo sapiens, where the modification of the skull and the appearance of the supralaryngeal vocal tract allow the emergence of linguistic functions, which in turn induces an increase in the cerebral areas of language [ 25 , 26 ]. The coevolution of brain size and culture and sociality has been documented in primates [ 27 ] and computer simulations [ 28 ].…”

Flight cessation and modulation control of coleopteran employing wireless miniature muscular stimulators

“…Although lightweight chip ceramic antennas were available, they needed large ground planes and clearance to other components to achieve better performance. 33 Considering that the required clearance and ground plane exceed the desired PCB size, we designed an alternative helical antenna utilizing 26-AWG wire. The backpack equipped with this helical antenna was capable of transmitting audio data up to 80 m to the RF transceiver (Bluetooth host).…”

Bağımsızlığın 30. Yılında: Türk Dünyası Analizleri Analysis of the Turkic World in the 30th Anniversary of Independence

“…Millî Meclis (Tataristan Halk Meclisi) kurultaylar ve Tatar gençlik forumları düzenlemiştir. Tataristan'ın iç siyasetinde kararları belirleyici olan Tatar boylarının en etkili ve en etkili etnopolitik örgütü olan Dünya Tatar Kongresi, beş yılda bir kongre yapmaktadır (Markov, 2016). Bu kongre aracılığıyla, bölgedeki çatışmaların önlenebileceği, etnik gruplar arasında birlik ve bütünlük duygusu yaratılabileceği umulmaktadır.…”