Far from being the smartest possible biological species, we are probably better thought of as the stupidest possible biological species capable of starting a technological civilization—a niche we filled because we got there first, not because we are in any sense optimally adapted to it.
Re this:
In evolutionary timescales, virtually no time has elapsed since hominids began trading, utilizing complex symbolic thinking, making art, hunting large animals etc, and here we are, a blip later in high technology.
A bit nit-picky, but a recent paper studying West Eurasia found significant evolution over the last 14,000 years.
Cf this Bostrom quote.
Re this:
A bit nit-picky, but a recent paper studying West Eurasia found significant evolution over the last 14,000 years.