Culture, not genes, drives human evolution shift
Culture is overtaking genetics as the main force shaping human evolution, say researchers at the University of Maine.
Why it matters
- Culture is replacing genes as the main driver of human evolution.
- Cultural adaptations outpace genetic changes in solving problems.
- Shift may redefine human individuality towards group dependency.
The big picture
- Human evolution is shifting from genetic to cultural adaptation.
- Group-level systems like medicine and education are crucial for survival.
- Future humans may evolve as group-dependent "superorganisms."
What they're saying
- Some think this theory is already widely accepted.
- Political leadership may steer collective intelligence.
- Cultural factors may influence gene replication rates.
Caveats
- Cultural evolution can have both positive and negative outcomes.
- Not all cultural changes are progress.
What’s next
- Develop models and long-term data collection to measure transition speed.