I really liked this article, I think covering the potential harm of modulating the mind to this degree would be a cool topic. Like, if they manage a perfect way to get neurotrophins to the brain, and they have enough for everyone. What if increasing people's intelligence makes them less happy? Jordan Peterson has a talk about this and people with greater intelligence generally are a lot more prone to anxiety because they're more aware of the dangers and state of our current reality. It's probably why down syndrome people are so happy all the time, they just aren't intelligent enough to frequently understand the dangers of life
David, I appreciate the comment. This touches on a very important aspect of cognitive enhancement: the potential psychological and emotional ramifications of significantly modulating human intelligence.
Biological systems are complex and multifaceted with numerous layers of interactions. It's not just about increasing a single neurotransmitter or neurotrophic factor; it's about the entire network of biochemical pathways that work in concert to regulate our internal states and cognitive processes. When we talk about enhancing intelligence through biological means, we're essentially discussing 'hacking' into this intricate system.
You make an interesting point about higher intelligence leading to an increased awareness of life's dangers, potentially leading to greater anxiety. While I'm not sure I agree with this (many geniuses appear to have lived quite happy lives) It's a reminder that cognitive enhancements could have unintended consequences. For instance, if we were to increase neurotrophin levels to boost intelligence, we might also inadvertently affect emotional regulation systems, which could impact overall happiness and well-being.
There may be a balance. Our bodies naturally regulate neurotransmitter levels through a series of feedback loops to maintain equilibrium. Artificially altering one component could lead to compensatory changes elsewhere in the system, which could negate the intended benefits or lead to other issues.
I really liked this article, I think covering the potential harm of modulating the mind to this degree would be a cool topic. Like, if they manage a perfect way to get neurotrophins to the brain, and they have enough for everyone. What if increasing people's intelligence makes them less happy? Jordan Peterson has a talk about this and people with greater intelligence generally are a lot more prone to anxiety because they're more aware of the dangers and state of our current reality. It's probably why down syndrome people are so happy all the time, they just aren't intelligent enough to frequently understand the dangers of life
David, I appreciate the comment. This touches on a very important aspect of cognitive enhancement: the potential psychological and emotional ramifications of significantly modulating human intelligence.
Biological systems are complex and multifaceted with numerous layers of interactions. It's not just about increasing a single neurotransmitter or neurotrophic factor; it's about the entire network of biochemical pathways that work in concert to regulate our internal states and cognitive processes. When we talk about enhancing intelligence through biological means, we're essentially discussing 'hacking' into this intricate system.
You make an interesting point about higher intelligence leading to an increased awareness of life's dangers, potentially leading to greater anxiety. While I'm not sure I agree with this (many geniuses appear to have lived quite happy lives) It's a reminder that cognitive enhancements could have unintended consequences. For instance, if we were to increase neurotrophin levels to boost intelligence, we might also inadvertently affect emotional regulation systems, which could impact overall happiness and well-being.
There may be a balance. Our bodies naturally regulate neurotransmitter levels through a series of feedback loops to maintain equilibrium. Artificially altering one component could lead to compensatory changes elsewhere in the system, which could negate the intended benefits or lead to other issues.