[net.ai] Brain and technology

BACH@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA (07/13/84)

From:  Rene Bach <BACH@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA>

In response to which organ is responsible for the technology advance :

The brain is not the agent : the hand is what has allowed man to progress.
Especially the fact that the thumb was opposite the other fingers. And being
able to free the hands from walking (by standing up) is also a factor to be
considered.  One couls even argue that the human brain would not be what
it currently is without that hand.
Obviously the brain is what tells the hand what to do, but it is the hand
which does it.

Rene

abh@ccivax.UUCP (Andrew X. Hudson) (07/19/84)

I beg to add that if the brain did not have advanced coordination
centers for speech and hand, thumbs would be as useful as
your big toes.
					Andrew Hudson
-- 
Christine, strawberry girl,
Christine, banana split lady.....
		 	 - Siouxsie & the Banshees

	...[rlgvax | decvax | ucbvax!allegra]!rochester!ritcv!ccivax!abh

ron@brl-tgr.UUCP (07/22/84)

except that I don't have opposable big toes.

bbanerje@sjuvax.UUCP (B. Banerjee) (07/23/84)

>> From:  Rene Bach <BACH@SUMEX-AIM.ARPA>
>> 
>> In response to which organ is responsible for the technology advance :
>> 
>> The brain is not the agent : the hand is what has allowed man to
>> progress.  Especially the fact that the thumb was opposite the other
>> fingers. And being able to free the hands from walking (by standing up)
>> is also a factor to be considered.  One couls even argue that the human
>> brain would not be what it currently is without that hand.  Obviously
>> the brain is what tells the hand what to do, but it is the hand which
>> does it.
>> 
>> Rene

Sorry, the opposum has an opposing thumb, whereas the Great Apes
(Chimpanzees, Gorillas, etc.) which are commonly held to be the
precursors of Homo Sapiens do not.  The hand is a tool, and is
controlled (directed) by the brain.

-- 
				Binayak Banerjee
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