Up From Dragons: The Evolution of Human Intelligence

by John Skoyles, Dorion Sagan

A breathtaking account of the "unnatural" history of consciousness and human intelligence

Taking its cue from The Dragons of Eden, Carl Sagan's 1977 classic and New York Times bestseller, Up from Dragons traces the development of human intelligence back to its animal roots in an attempt to account for the vast differences between our species and all those that came before us. In a book that will spark a storm of debate, neuroscientist John Skoyles and awardwinning author Dorion Sagan introduce a controversial theory of the origins of human intelligence that may hold the answers to questions that have haunted scientists about mind, consciousness, and the evolutionary odyssey of humankind. It also introduces the revolutionary concept of "mindware"­­the human, evolutionary equivalent of computer software­­and describes how the evolution-accelerating symbol-using programs that make it up have empowered us with the unprecedented ability to take charge of our own evolutionary destiny.

Genres: Science, Evolution, Psychology

448 pages, Hardcover

First published May 17, 2002

Reviews

[Kathleen Spratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating unfolding of the evolution of our species.

[Paul DiBara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obviously, this book is about the nature of the brain, how it evolved and how it operates to create the creatures we are. It's very much rooted in evolution and science, indicating at one point that there can be no consciousness without a living brain. That may be so but on this point, as with religion, I remain agnostic . . . I just don't know. It just doesn't seem likely that we represent the apex of consciousness. We are part of something far more vast or we are following a design. The more I study our western scientism the more I feel that it looks at the universe using a far too narrow lens.

Having said that, I found this book valuable because it tried to explain how the mind works through the mechanism of the brain. But I think they have reversed the relationship between mind and brain. Where they explain the mind as a result of brain activity, I tend to think in terms of the brain as providing the physical link between spirit and this material world. Consciousness is the spirit manifest. If there is an awareness beyond this existence it is not a Christian heaven, rather it might be existence beyond matter. Certainly, nothing that requires any feelings attributable to a physical existence.

This book also points up a major failing of our society; its myopia. I am convinced that we are continuing the patterns of the past when it comes to scientific and technological developments. Whatever can be done, will be; let the future deal with the consequences. Carl Sagan certainly had us in mind when he theorized that our universe might well be inhabited by any number of intelligent species but that many, or most, never advanced off their planet because they self-destructed.

[Erin]

"[Humans] are great long-distance runners; if need be we can keep up a steady fast pace from dawn to dusk. Records in older editions of the Guinness Book of World Records show that people can run up to 188 mi within 24 h and up to 621 mi in a single 136-h and 17-m stretch. . . . In the manhunt for the outlaw (and Indian runner) Willie Boy in 1909, when horsemen came within 20 minutes of catching him, he increased his stride into 5-foot paces. He carried on like this for 15 miles, and the horses were forced to stop and rest. He managed to outrun his pursuers for 500 miles. In Mexico, Tarahumaran runners in kickball races covered 150-300 mil [sic] over 1-2 days--more than six marathons."

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the last book for my class. It was better than the others, but it was still hard to read. I thoroughly enjoyed the section on neural plasticity and the mind engine. This book also has a ton of anecdotes which really added to the material. I have to be honest, though, Dorion is not as skilled as his father, his imaginings just kind of sit there, whereas Carl could paint a vibrant picture without a shred of indisputable fact to support him. His mastery is undisputed, even though I tend to disagree with him on a lot. :)