A decent summary of the discussion over shrinkage of brain size in Homo sapiens in the past 100,000 years.
One very strong point is made by Eva #Jablonka, linking reduction of brain size to stratification and class society:
'Jablonka argues that if even if brains did shrink when complex societies emerged, it doesn't necessarily follow that smaller brains were necessarily an adaptive response.
"If 3,000 years ago much larger more complex societies emerged, this could correlate with much greater differences in social classes. If, as a consequence the majority of people were poor, then we know that poverty and malnutrition and things like that would compromise the developing brain."'
We would agree, metabolic and energetic/nutrient constraint is likely important. Marta #Lahr also suggests a link to nutrient deficiency associating to onset of agriculture.
A significant implication is that the super large brains of our ancestors came about through #egalitarianism and strong ethics of #sharing vital nutrients to mothers and children.
Riane Eisler: “Partnership and Domination Systems”
By Nate Hagens, originally published by The Great Simplification March 27, 2024
"...What we value at the individual and family level directly translates to the way we frame our governance systems – societies that emphasize empathy and caring also implement the same types of policies and values. How could we foster the more cooperative side of our humanity across all scales to create empowered communities and balanced decision making? What societies – past and present – lean towards a partnership paradigm and what benefits do their people receive? Is it possible to move away from violence and control oriented systems and into ones that value wide boundaries of empathy and understand the vital nature of care work?"
They had me at "chaos theory" which is the last item in the show's table of contents, at 1:06:03 if you're curious, lol.
Chris will be speaking in the Daryll Forde Seminar Room, 2nd Floor of the Anthro building. Please use main entrance of the Archaeology Institute in Gordon Square and someone will help direct you across to the Anthro building.
Blog (see English translation) on #DasaBombjakova's work with the #BaYaka on #moadjo and #mosambo -- techniques of ridicule and oratory in a truly egalitarian society.
Jerome is speaking in the Daryll Forde Seminar Room, 2nd Floor of the Anthro building.
NB due to building work, you need to use the main entrance of the Archaeology Institute round the corner in Gordon Sq. Please plan to arrive between 6:15-6:30 if possible.
Sorry it's twitter but I 💗this quote from Jaipal Singh, 77 years ago today:
"In Adibasi society, there was no discrimination by caste and gender. Thus you cannot teach democracy to the tribal people; you have to learn democratic ways from them.”
Image (by Natalia Buitron) a meeting in a Shuar village in a large swept square space under a corrugated roof, people sitting around the edges on benches, raising their hands to speak. Garden trees flourish in the background, a dog in the middle
#rubiales: "Will not resign!" (exlaiming it repeatedly)
💡️ Here's a novel thought: Perhaps all sufficiently egalitarian persons coming face to face with him ought to just instantly grab his crotch without any invitation to do so...
Perhaps the concept of personal #inviolability would eventually sink in? 🤔