FYI to all concerned: "albino" is considered a slur by those with the genetic condition of albinism; at least, it is in North America, due to... like this movie... the routine depiction by Hollywood of persons with albinism as morally and/or intellectually inferior. It's actually a big deal, no different to using a…

No problem :) You'll like this link, too... just saw it about a week ago...

I think in many real and measurable ways, modern life is far better for our nerds, geeks and eccentrics than ancient life.

Okay... I think before we continue any further, I need you to define, specifically, what you mean by "Broken Functionality" and what you mean by "upgrades" to our hardware.

Which only underscores my point on how our brains are inadequate for modern life.

Well, maybe. But a lot of that "broken functionality" can be dealt with already, using very old methods. I think mostly these are software (or firmware) problems. Or more accurately, software that's not fully compatible with the hardware we have. Sure, I suppose we can try and change the hardware, but changing the…

It's always been true for state-level cultures (including Sumeria), which, as a rule, have been a case of increasing urbanization and social stratification over time.

Yes, hunter gatherer societies also suck for nerds, I bet they suck even more than agrarian ones... The nail that sticks up must be hammered down.

Sure—but any new life that we create intentionally, we will (intentionally or not) model after and compare to ourselves.

Probably. But then, if they're following the same path we are, eventually they'll run into the same problem, and then we'll roll our eyes back at them and say, "See?"

I don't know about that; medieval life certainly wasn't kind to nerds, but more primitive societies? It depends on what you mean by "tribal," and what you mean by "nerd." In a pastoral or hunter gatherer society, there are definitely all manner of ways to get yourself maimed or killed; many of them involving rites…

Ahh... I've always wondered where that band got the name...

There are much better ways to get a simpler existence than the apocalypse. Drastic, sudden, and involuntary change is rarely good for anyone. And one of the things I'm increasingly learning as I get older is that it's up to each of us to simplify (or otherwise improve) our own existences; not to expect circumstances…

I wonder if this because we mere human authors are afraid of portraying a civilization of creatures that are better than us in every measurable way?

*Redacted*

Oh, I'm not depressed about it; but it certainly is frustrating. But thanks for the bunny :)

Heheh—Indeed! It's always good to have information confirmed by disparate sources. And by all means, feel free to message me if you would like to chat in the new year about any topic.

At the risk of wild unpopularity, Charlie Jane is right and has nothing to apologize for. Anybody can be a smug asshole about their views. Especially views they've had to defend. It doesn't matter whether they're an Atheist, an Agnostic, an Evangelical Christian, an aspiring Buddhist, or a bloody Toronto Maple…

I understand, appreciate, and agree with what you were trying to say Charlie Jane—and, although I may be in the minority, I don't think you need to apologize for pointing out naked emperors.

Everything I'm saying is based on neuroscience. Did you check out the video I linked? (which was a seminar by a psychology professor—I don't know what you thought it was) Or maybe this one: