Robert Sapolsky - #50: Blindness, Misusing Determined, Bartering Animals | Robert Sapolsky Father-Offspring Interviews
The episode begins with a discussion on why congenital cortical blindness and schizophrenia rarely co-occur. Historical and recent studies, including a large epidemiological survey in Australia, show no cases of individuals having both conditions, suggesting a lower occurrence rate than expected. Theories propose that the loss of one sensory system at birth induces neuroplasticity, making the brain more resilient to schizophrenia. The episode also delves into the implications of determinism, emphasizing that rejecting free will doesn't mean change is impossible. It warns against the misconception that determinism implies predeterminism, which could lead to societal stagnation. Lastly, the episode touches on barter-like behaviors in animals, highlighting studies where primates and other species engage in reciprocal exchanges, though not as complex as human trade systems.
Key Points:
- Congenital cortical blindness and schizophrenia rarely co-occur, possibly due to neuroplasticity enhancing sensory resilience.
- Large-scale studies show no overlap between these conditions, suggesting a unique protective factor against schizophrenia.
- Determinism doesn't negate the possibility of change; it warns against confusing it with predeterminism, which implies stagnation.
- Animal studies show reciprocal behaviors, like grooming and food sharing, but not complex barter systems like humans.
- Experimental settings reveal primates can learn economic behaviors, indicating potential for basic trade understanding.
Details:
1. 🎉 Celebrating Episode 50 with a Curious Question
- The podcast has successfully reached its 50th episode, celebrating this as a major milestone in its journey, which highlights its sustained engagement and growing listener base.
- A listener from Morocco, Sara, contributes an intriguing question about the correlation between blindness and schizophrenia, illustrating the podcast's interactive and globally diverse audience.
- This milestone signifies not only the podcast's longevity but also its ability to engage listeners with curious and thought-provoking content.
2. 🔍 Unraveling the Mystery of Schizophrenia and Blindness
2.1. Historical Observations
2.2. Epidemiological Studies
2.3. Statistical Implications
2.4. Theoretical Explanations
3. 💭 Determinism, Change, and Misinterpretations
- Misinterpreting determinism as pre-determinism can lead to the erroneous belief that change is impossible, which is dangerous, especially for governments.
- Determinism does not contradict the possibility of change; multiple futures can exist due to chaotic systems and complexity.
- Believing in no free will does not negate the capability for societal and individual change; change is influenced by circumstances and prior conditions.
- A key mistake is assuming that if there is no free will, efforts for change are futile, which is a significant risk for policy-making.
- For example, policymakers might ignore interventions that could mitigate negative outcomes by assuming outcomes are fixed.
- Moreover, complex systems like economies or ecosystems demonstrate that while specific outcomes may be unpredictable, strategic interventions can steer them towards desired objectives.