Thank you sir for the expanded brief response about the two QA in the
posting.Gopalakrishnan
On Monday, 26 February, 2024 at 07:06:44 am IST, Rajaram Krishnamurthy
<[email protected]> wrote:
CULTURAL QA 02202426
Q1 What causedhumans to evolve into having exceptional intelligence? What
conditions causedthat evolution?
KR Evolution of the brain and intelligence {Quoracannot even know about
it; and it is petty I had given here.}
Intelligence has evolved many times independently amongvertebrates. Primates,
elephants and cetaceans are assumed to be moreintelligent than ‘lower’ mammals,
the great apes and humans more than monkeys,and humans more than the great
apes. Brain properties assumed to be relevantfor intelligence are the (absolute
or relative) size of the brain,cortex, prefrontalcortex and degree of
encephalization.However, factors that correlate better with intelligence are
the number ofcortical neurons and conduction velocity, as the basis
forinformation-processing capacity. Humans have more cortical neurons than
othermammals, although only marginally more than whales and elephants.
Theoutstanding intelligence of humans appears to result from a combination
andenhancement of properties found in non-human primates, such as theoryof
mind, imitation and language, rather than from ‘unique’ properties.
Introduction
Animals differ in intelligence, and humans are usuallyconsidered to be by far
the most intelligent. However, it is unclear whichbrain properties might
explain these differences. Furthermore, the question ofwhether properties such
as a theory of mind, imitation or a syntacticallanguage are uniquely found in
humans is hotly debated. Finally, recent reportson high intelligence in animals
with relatively small brains, such as corvidbirds and dogs, has raised once
again the discussion about the relationshipbetween brain and intelligence 1, 2.
In this context, we will address the following questions:(1) How can we define
and measure animal intelligence? (2) What differences inintelligence are
supposed to exist among animals and between animals andhumans? (3) When we
relate differences in intelligence to brain properties,which properties should
we look for? (4) Are differences, especially thosebetween humans and other
mammals, quantitative or qualitative in nature?
How do we define and measure intelligence?
There is no universally accepted definition of animalintelligence, or procedure
to measure it. Intelligence may be defined andmeasured by the speed and success
of how animals, including humans, solveproblems to survive in their natural and
social environments . These include,for example, problems related to feeding,
spatial orientation, socialrelationships and intraspecific communication.
However, what animals must learnin their environments and how they accomplish
this can be a profound research.
Supposed differences in intelligence
Using mental and behavioural flexibility as a criterionfor intelligence, among
tetrapod vertebrates, mammals and birds appear (onaverage) to be more
intelligent. Among birds, corvids, parrots and owls areconsidered more
intelligent, and among mammals, primates and cetaceans. Amongprimates, apes
come out as more intelligent than monkeys, and monkeys more thanprosimians; and
among apes, chimpanzees, bonobos and humans appear to beparticularly
intelligent .
Neural correlates of intelligence
The question arises of how to relate these supposeddifferences in intelligence
to brain properties, and which properties we shouldcompare. These could either
be general properties, if we assume that theevolution of intelligence is based
on an increase in ‘information processingcapacities’ or specialities of
anatomyor physiology of different brains, if we conceive intelligence as a
number ofspecial adaptations to a given environment .
The search for cortical specialties
So far, we have dealt with possible correlations betweengeneral problem-solving
ability and general brain traits. The alternative is tolook for adaptive
specializations within the brains of vertebrate or mammaliantaxa. In cognitive
ecology, some experts view responses to challenges from theenvironment as a
basis for an increase in cognitive capacities and braincomplexity, whereas
others emphasize a correlation with the complexity ofsocial relationships.
Do humans and their brains have unique properties?
There is a long tradition that ascribes properties tohumans that are supposedly
not found in other animals. The most cited arecausal understanding of
mechanisms of tool use, tool-making,syntactical–grammatical language,
consciousness, self-awareness, imitation,deception and theory of mind. There is
evidence, however that great apespossess at least some states of consciousness
found in humans; Deception hasbeen widely observed among monkeys.
Conclusions
If we define animal intelligence as the degree of mentalor behavioural
flexibility resulting in novel solutions,either in the wild or in the
laboratory, we can conclude that among tetrapod,mammals and birds are more
intelligent, and among mammals, humans are moreintelligent than members of
other taxa. Differences in intelligence among thegreat apes, cetaceans and
elephants are not sufficiently tested, but these taxaall appear to be more
intelligent than monkeys.
How do we defineand measure intelligence?
There is nouniversally accepted definition of animal intelligence, or procedure
to measureit. Intelligence may be defined and measured by the speed and success
of howanimals, including humans, solve problems to survive in theirnatural and
social environments. These include, for example, problems relatedto feeding,
spatial orientation, social relationships and intraspecificcommunication. So
not forest fire and food preparations as alleged whichis basic 250000 years
before may be.
Using mental and behavioural flexibility as a criterionfor intelligence, among
tetrapod vertebrates, mammals and birds appear (onaverage) to be more
intelligent. Among birds, corvids, parrots and owls areconsidered more
intelligent, and among mammals, primates and cetaceans . Amongprimates, apes
come out as more intelligent than monkeys, and monkeys more thanprosimians; and
among apes, chimpanzees, bonobos and humans appear to beparticularly intelligent
There is a long tradition thatascribes properties to humans that are supposedly
not found in other animals.The most cited are causal understanding of
mechanisms of tool use, tool-making,syntactical–grammatical language,
consciousness, self-awareness, imitation,deception and theory of mind. [ E.M.
MacPhailBrain and Intelligence in Vertebrates Science world San Deigo Neural
research-J Ramachandran]
For the time being opened up. K Rajaram IRS 25//26/2/24
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Q2 Why didAlbert Einstein hold women in low regard?
KR A flawedobservations or gossip interwoven, twisting the words as few
mad caps do in theworld, without reading in between the lines. American society
2024 (anorganisation having research centres all over had rendered an article
on this;the low ones only as some do exist always, twisting phrases on this
earthcalled the perverts wrote such incongruent theory; American society will
rejectsuch mean from awards angle itself.
Einstein and Womenby Nina Byers
C. P. Snow wroteregarding Albert Einstein, "To me he appears as out of
comparison thegreatest intellect of this century, and almost certainly the
greatestpersonification of moral experience." Snow’s assertion is
nearlyuncontroversial in this "Einstein Year" in which we celebrate the
centenary of publication ofhis great 1905 papers. But during Einstein’s
lifetime, he was vilified bypeople who found objectionable some political views
he expressed. He was an avowed socialist, and he was a staunch defender ofcivil
liberties and human rights as well as a pacifist throughout most of hislife. J.
Edgar Hoover, director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation,kept him under
surveillance after he emigrated to the United States in 1933.The copious file
compiled by the FBI is detailed by Fred Jerome in a recentbook. With one
possibleexception, what is known about Einstein’s life supports Snow’s
assertions.The exception has to do with critical views expressed with regard to
the tragic failure of his firstmarriage and reported infidelities in his
second. One finds, forexample, that Jerome refers to many published works
saying "there is nodoubt about Einstein’s sexism."This is an inaccurate and
misleading statement. It does not take into accountthe many interactions of
Einstein with women in his scientific and public life.There is no known
evidence indicating that his treatment of female physicists,mathematicians and
other professionals was anything but exemplary. Thisis in stark contrast with
the widespread gender discrimination that waspractised by scientists and
scientific institutions in his lifetime. From a historical point of view it is
worthwhile to draw adistinction between Einstein’s behaviour with women in his
public life and withfemale partners in his private life.
Information about the scientific lives of women whocontributed to physics in
the twentieth century is becoming widely available.History records numerous
instances of sexist behaviour on the part ofphysicists. For example, MaxPlanck
admonished Lise Meitner at a reception for young physicists in Berlin in1908
"Fraulein Meitner I understand you have a doctorate from theUniversity of
Vienna, what more do you want?" Another more egregiousexample was the treatment
of Henrietta Leavitt by Edward C. Pickering, head ofthe Harvard College
Observatory. After her discovery of theperiod—luminosity relation of Cepheid
variable stars, which enabled measurementof intergalactic distances for the
first time (this was published underPickering’s name in 1912—see
http://cwp.library.ucla.edu/articles/leavitt/leavitt.note.html),Leavitt was
obliged to go back to work in photographic photometry rather thanpursue the
consequences of her discovery. Sexism in the professional spherecaused female
scientists major difficulties in the twentieth century. However, the record so
far as we know it does not show anyevidence of such behavior on the part of
Albert Einstein. On the contrary we have evidencehe treated the women with whom
he interacted scientifically and professionallywith dignity and respect, and
gave them unequivocal career help when needed.For example, he wrote lettersfor
Marietta Blau when, as an Austrian refugee from the Nazis in 1938, sheneeded a
job. A letter in the Einstein Archive in The Hebrew University inJerusalem
speaks of her excellence as an accomplished experimental physicistwithout the
usual caveat such as "among the best women working in thefield". And finally,
one might mention a note he wrote to DavidHilbert in 1916 regarding Emmy
Noether saying "It would not have done theold guard at Göttingen any harm had
they picked up a thing or two fromher."
The question of Einstein’s role in relation to his firstwife Mileva Maric’ is
complex. In the years they studied together in Zurichbefore the birth of their
children, he freely and unabashedly shared hispassion for physics with her.
This is clear from the letters he wrote to her inthis period. No signs ofsexism
there. But it is clear that from the early days of the marriagehe did not share
domestic chores equally with her. Indeed, she wrote to herfriend Helene Savic’
in 1903, two and a half months after they married,"We have a nice little
household which I am taking care of quitealone." It is unlikely they had
domestic help. Albert’s salary from hisjob in the patent office was quite low.
Given the environment in which he wasraised, it seems unrealistic to expect him
to have washed diapers and fixedmeals for his wife and infant son. Not without
love for his wife and son, bornMay 14, 1904, he nevertheless devoted attention
when he could to physics. Hiswife wanted more time with him than he was able to
give. From her letters itwould seem that in the competition between the demands
of his physics and hiswife, physics won out.The joyous life they had had
together did not persist beyond the birth of theirsecond son. For female
physicists, it is difficult not to be sympathetic withMileva but it is also
difficult to disparage Albert. What is not difficult, however, is to disparage
thehistoric gender discrimination and institutional denial of support and
equalopportunity faced by women wanting to do physics. It is notable,
therefore, that the historicalrecord indicates Einstein treated female
physicists with dignity and respectand did not engage in the gender exclusion
which was common among hiscontemporaries.
Nina Byers is research professor and professor emeritus ofphysics at UCLA and
Visiting Scholar, Harvard University. She is past chair ofthe APS Forum on
History of Physics.
She would like to acknowledge helpful comments fromhistorians and archivists of
the Einstein papers, Gerald Holton, John Stachel,Diana Buchwald, and Ze’ev
Rosenkranz.
For further reading: Fred Jerome, The Einstein File, St.Martin’s Press, 2003.
Albert Einstein/Mileva Maric’: the Love Letters edited andwith an introduction
by Jürgen Renn and Robert Schulmann and translated byShawn Smith, Princeton,
N.J., Princeton University Press, 1992.
In Albert’s Shadow: The Life and Letters of Mileva Maric’,Einstein’s First
Wife, edited by Milan Popovic’, The Johns Hopkins UniversityPress, Baltimore,
2003.
Lise Meitner, "The Status of Women in theProfessions," Physics Today, August
1960.
K Rajaram IRS 26224
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Sun, 25 Feb 2024 at 18:49, 'gopala krishnan' via iyer123
<[email protected]> wrote:
CULTURAL QA 02-2024-26
All the below QA are from Quora DIGEST to me on 26-02-2024.
Selectedquora answers generally interesting are included .Still they need not
be 100% correct answers. I am onlya compiler.
Compiled andposted by R. Gopala Krishnan, 80, on 26-02-2024.
Q1 Whatcaused humans to evolve into having exceptional intelligence? What
conditionscaused that evolution?
A1 ClaireJordan,1y
A nearby supernova led to an increase in electricalstorms, which burned off a
lot of dry brush land in Africa.
A group of semi-bipedal, moderately intelligent apesmoved out onto the newly
cleared plains.
Those who were most bipedal did best and had the mostoffspring, because they
were able to see over the grassland to spot bothpredators and prey from a long
way away.
As they became more bipedal they became chase hunters, with a lot ofmeat in
their diet.
Being fully bipedal freed up their hands to becomemore dexterous, so they were
able to make better tools. That made it an advantage to be highlyintelligent in
order to design ever better tools, even though big brains take a lot ofenergy
to run and makes childbirth more risky.
At some pointthey discovered fire, and cooking. That made it *much* easier to
develop higherintelligence. Partly it was because cooking released more
nutrients in theirdiet. Partly it was because cooking made food easier to chew.
Other great apeshave jaw muscles which strap across their skull, but by cooking
food, andotherwise breaking it down with their tools, humans no longer needed
suchstrong jaws. It becamepossible for humans to develop smaller jaw muscles
and thus to free up theirskulls to become more domed, enabling higher
intelligence and ever-bettertools.
Q2 Why didAlbert Einstein hold women in low regard?
A2 Jean-MarieValheur, read about a genius or two7h
A little girlwrote a letter to Albert Einstein, in 1946. She had written in a
previous letter about being ayoung kid who wanted to be a scientist… in her new
letter, she “admitted” to aterrible flaw — being a girl. And she asked, did
Einstein mind?[1]
His answer wasshort, and sweet:
I do not mind that you are a girl, but the main thingis that you yourself do
not mind. There is no reason for it.
That about sumsup Einstein’s views on women. He didn’t mind them. Didn’t think
more of them, nor less ofthem. Welcomed them to have a career in science if
they felt the same callinghe did. And yes, he wasa womanizer and a bit of a cad
but here’s the thing about womanizerspeople don’t tell you — they listen to
women more and often treat them betterthan any hateful incel who can’t get any.
Albert Einsteinwas absolutely fine with women. He did not hold them in low
regard, did not look down onthem, didn’t discourage them from dreaming of one
day being a scientist justlike him. Great minds have no time for petty beliefs
and judge people by theirown merits.
Footnotes[1]Einstein'sAdvice to Women in Science Still Relevant More Than 60
Years Later
Q3 Whatculture shocks can a South Indian face in North India?
A3 Akshadha.Research Scholar. Educator. Writer . 6h
I remember being to Chennai . An aunty ( Thelandlord’s wife ) asked me my
homestate .
I said I am from Chandigarh. She exclaimed “Oh youare from Haryana , Panjab
..where women cover their heads “
In south India covering head with dupatta or sareepallu is not the norm .
***Rather it is considered a bad omenand related to mourning.
In North India pallu is a mark of married women . Itis socially acceptable and
cherished as a mark of respect for elders. Though itacts as a cultural shock to
South Indians.
My note- ***Condition is much changed in south. Most working women in south in
paddy fields, open areas,put pallu over head for the hot sun in summer. Further
Muslims normally coverhead, Christians cover head while going to church.
Q4 FourCatholic men and a Catholic woman were having coffee in St. Peters
Square. ☕👨👨👨👨👩
A4 RebeccaC.,11h
Four Catholic men and a Catholic woman were havingcoffee in St. Peters Square.
The first Catholic man tells his friends, "My son is a priest,when he walks
into a room, everyone calls him 'Father'."
The second Catholic man chirps, "My son is a Bishop.When he walks into a room
people call him 'Your Grace'."
The third Catholic gent says, "My son is a Cardinal. When he entersa room
everyone bows their head and says 'Your Eminence'."
The fourth Catholic man says very proudly, "My son is the Pope.When he walks
into a room people call him 'Your Holiness'."
Since the lone Catholic woman was sipping her coffeein silence, the four men
give her a subtle, "Well ...?"
She proudlyreplies, "I have a daughter, slim, tall, 38" DD bust, 24" waist and
34"hips.
When she walks into a room, everybody says, "Oh My God."
Q5 Can youtell me something inspiring?
A5 VanshJaiswal 5y
This boy, he isone of the most determined, hard working persons with ethical
values. He sells Lemonsevery Sunday. Last Sunday my neighbour aunty called him
for purchasing lemons,I'm living in government apartment and my room is on 3rd
floor. He came up withhis basket of lemon, I also asked my mother that she want
lemon or not, shesaid No. After that the conversation between this boy and my
neighbour aunty islike that.
She : how you're giving them ? He: ₹10 for 4 lemon.
She: you're robbing us ! give me 4 lemons in ₹5
He: No aunty this price is not worth for me, I can'tgive you 4 lemons in ₹5.
After so muchdiscussion he became sad and finally he give 6 lemons in ₹10.
After selecting 6 juicy lemons aunty closed her door for bringingmoney.
He looks so tired and sad. I offered him a glass ofwater and asked him about
the reason of sadness.
Me : why are youso upset ? He: I'm in lose, but I need money.
Me: then why you're selling your lemon at low cost ?
He: because I needmoney for food and my school fees.
Me: so you're in school, In which class ? He: class 6th.
Me: then why you're selling lemons ? Where's yourfather ?
He: becausethere is no one in my home who earns money for us. Before going my
father toldme that you've towork hard for earning as well as you've to continue
your study because this isthe only way through which you can face every problem.
Me : ( I'm shocked after listening these lines, Inever expect these lines from
a class 6th kid who is so much matured.) I againasked, where's your father ?
He: My father is no more, hedied last year due to pneumonia.
Me : ( Again I'm shocked, I get goosebumps afterhearing this) when you are
going to school and when you're working ?
He: I'm goingschool daily, I came back from school at 2pm after that I work on
a Chaat shop. Everysunday I sell Lemons for extra income.
Aunty came back, she gives him ₹10 and he left.
After this I'mthinking about him that how a 12–13 years old kid is so matured,
he takes the responsibility of his familyas well as he continues his study
while working. He learned so much about lifeat very early age, for us it is
very difficult to maintain our study or job butthis guy is maintaining
everything simultaneously.
The one thingwhich stunned me is his ethics and values. He lost his father but
the values ofhis father arestill in his heart and he is fulfilling his father's
dream. His father wasdefinitely a great man who taught his child the value of
hard work andimportance of education.
he didn't know that I captured his picture, these are2 more images
The thing whichinspired me is that how a boy making balance between his work,
study and responsibilities of hishouse. He also maintains the ethics and values
of his late father. Whereas manyof the youth are not able to focus on a single
thing.
This guy isinspiration for us that we need to take responsibility and learn how
to manage multipleimportant things simultaneously and he also proved the
importance of ethics andvalues of our parent
My note- These things happen in a country where childlabour is prohibited. If
the Government really help these families??!!
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"iyer123" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email
to [email protected].
To view this discussion on the web visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/iyer123/1435759980.278320.1708908551713%40mail.yahoo.com.
--
On Facebook, please join https://www.facebook.com/groups/keralaiyerstrust
We are now on Telegram Mobile App also, please join
Pattars/Kerala Iyers Discussions: https://t.me/PattarsGroup
Kerala Iyers Trust Decisions only posts : https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrust
Kerala Iyers Trust Group for Discussions: https://t.me/KeralaIyersTrustGroup
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"KeralaIyers" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email
to [email protected].
To view this discussion on the web visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/keralaiyers/CAL5XZopM%2B-JMfSEo0kBthNZ2tuM8mvJ%3DkKSGHnKMP37PE%3D6MMg%40mail.gmail.com.
--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
"Thatha_Patty" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email
to [email protected].
To view this discussion on the web visit
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/thatha_patty/2036252041.378048.1708927628372%40mail.yahoo.com.
