How Smart Are We Really?

When we think about how smart we are, we should consider the fact that the Earth is billions of years old. There has been a life on the planet for hundreds of millions of years. The dinosaurs ruled for 250 million years. And human beings have been around for maybe 50,000 years. A major key to humans and their “success” is the ability to communicate verbally in complexity and in their ability to pass knowledge generationally.

In their construct, humans only really began accumulating knowledge and building things of permanence approximately 4000 years ago, beginning with the pyramids. The refinement of the transmission of knowledge from generation to generation is only a very recent occurrence. First, writing had to be developed as it did not exist prior to its invention by humans. Then, humans had to invent a means to record the information and records beyond carving the notations into a block of clay. Paper had to be invented. Then people had to learn to read and write. Of course, mathematics also did not develop until the just a few thousand years ago though the Egyptians had to have that knowledge. But none of that  matters as the period of consideration here is not the just next 100 years but the next 100,000 years. Then, the question is “where and what will we be?”, assuming our species still exists.

Science did not really begin to develop beyond basic metal work, carpentry, and stone work until maybe 150 years ago. We have begun to accelerate knowledge accumulation and application and truly understand some limited aspects of our environment only over the last 50 to 100 years.

In that context then, how very much is there that we do not yet know or understand? Our lack of knowledge has to almost be infinite. We should be elated that we have accomplished and learned as much as we have. However, we should also be humble and guarded and hold the high expectations of ourselves because we have so very much more to learn. In that regard, it may be that we even evolve. It would be nice to think (and believe) that we are the ultimate. However, that is not close to the mark. Beyond the obvious genetic defects that riddle our species causing deformities and suffering, we are susceptible to excesses in the consumption and ingestion of euphorics.  We simultaneously are unable to control our desires. An alternative genetic code could permit and offer us the ability to control our behaviors, desires and compulsions. We really could do with less hate and various phobias.  We have developed computers.  We are developing AI .  We are developing genetic modification.  Who is to say that our species is the ultimate. We have much, much more to learn and do.