This could be the case. However, my instinct is that human intelligence is only incrementally higher than other animals. Sure, we crossed a threshold that allowed us to accomplish great things (language, culture, specialization), but I would honestly be shocked if you told me that evolution was incapable of producing another similarly intelligent species if it started from the baseline intelligence of, say wolves, or crows. If there is a “1-in-a-quadrillion chance” somewhere in our history, I expect that filter to be much further back than the recent evolution of hominids.
I don’t have research to back this up. Just explaining why I personally wouldn’t push timelines back significantly based on the anthropic principle.
This could be the case. However, my instinct is that human intelligence is only incrementally higher than other animals. Sure, we crossed a threshold that allowed us to accomplish great things (language, culture, specialization), but I would honestly be shocked if you told me that evolution was incapable of producing another similarly intelligent species if it started from the baseline intelligence of, say wolves, or crows. If there is a “1-in-a-quadrillion chance” somewhere in our history, I expect that filter to be much further back than the recent evolution of hominids.
I don’t have research to back this up. Just explaining why I personally wouldn’t push timelines back significantly based on the anthropic principle.