Human intelligence isn't to great for any individual. Jorge of the Jungle wouldn't be too much smarter than the apes he lives with. No, what humans have going for them is compound intelligence. Our ability to communicate, while not unique, is coupled with our ability to pass down information to the next generation. The creation of tools was retained by our species, and eventually improvements were made. After a few millennia, it was discovered how to produce fire, and the evolution of our species sped up at a steady pace. Eventually, someone figured out you could just [i]grow[/i] a plant, that you could combine tools, that wearing fur kept you warm, and all sorts of little things like that.
It wasn't really until we had a stable food source and permanent settlements that we began our greatest work. And, going back to my earlier statement, every time communication speed and distance increased, so too did our technology. Very few people make big discoveries. And the most famous inventors rarely made the first of those devices. It's just someone figuring out a slightly better way of doing things, and telling everyone about it.
[spoiler]Math was not a prerequisite for society, or even civilizations. Many ancient American societies got by with only basic math. Wolves are also known to be able to count, as it's useful for knowing the number of rivals you have, and the strength of your pack.
Thumbs are not a prerequisite for intelligence, either. Nor are large brains, if ravens are anything to go by. Both in nature and in captivity, they are seen using sticks to get grubs out of trees. They are also self-aware, and will not hide things while in the view of other ravens. They, and crows, pass limited information between generations and each other, though it's not as extensive as the wall I just shared. [/spoiler]
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Edited by SerpentVI: 10/28/2014 8:09:25 AMWell the neolithic revolution is much more of a curse than anything else. Look at use creating codices to govern us, environmental destruction, inequalities, diseases, war, and the list goes on and on.
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Such things existed in some small form beforehand, and their becoming greater dominance is a natural result of the increased ability for a human to exert it's will on it's surroundings and other life. Humans being social, exerting will upon another is to be expected, and the group as a whole may expect certain social conditions to be met by it's members. This gives rise to culture, leaders, and eventually government and law. [spoiler]I have no idea if what I wrote makes any sense. 4:00 AM is not the hour of sensible writing.[/spoiler]
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You came in clear, no signal to noise issues.
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Nailed it, well said.