> The evolutionary history of our own kind is already looking far from linear, and it's going to become even more complicated once we take seriously the fact that a species is nowhere near homogeneous in its skills and intelligence.
I believe one of the reasons we as an species have what could be considered advanced skills and high intelligence is that we are very diverse and try different strategies as different sub-populations. It's a long term evolutionary adaptation, and we can't afford to be homogeneous. That would slow down innovation to Komodo dragon levels. In practical terms it would basically destroy innovation. IMO.
I believe one of the reasons we as an species have what could be considered advanced skills and high intelligence is that we are very diverse and try different strategies as different sub-populations. It's a long term evolutionary adaptation, and we can't afford to be homogeneous. That would slow down innovation to Komodo dragon levels. In practical terms it would basically destroy innovation. IMO.