Premise: Technology plays a significant role in human evolution, specifically intelligence.
This argument utilizes the concepts of fluid and crystallized intelligence as put forth by Raymond Cattell. In short, fluid intelligence refers to the ability to solve novel problems. In contrast, crystallized intelligence relies on creating secondary abstraction derived from primary learning. A good analogy is thinking of it in terms of raw intelligence and experience, respectively.
For most of human history, life has followed a set pattern. This was occasionally disrupted by the introduction of new technologies or discoveries. A prime example is the move from hunter-gatherer societies to an agrarian model. This uninterrupted way of life meant that humans would initially rely on fluid intelligence to “learn the ropes” of surviving before settling into a specific way of life. After such a point, humans would depend on crystallized intelligence. The role of fluid intelligence would diminish as the set way of life meant that there was little need for novel problems solving.
This arrangement, thus, ensured there was little evolutionary pressure to maintain fluid intelligence in the latter part of life. However, over time, the incidence of novelties increased. This can be best seen in the technological developments that led to changes in how people live. Historically, there have been several points when there has been a rise in technological development. For example, ancient civilizations such as the Greeks and the Romans pushed the envelope regarding technological development and knowledge.
Still, the greatest change seems to have come from the industrial revolution. In a way, the previous developments can be seen as a build-up to that specific event. This progressively increased rate of development meant that there was a consistent need to understand and tackle novel challenges. As such, the model of the past, which had previously worked for thousands of years, was becoming slowly deprecated. There was now an evolutionary pressure on being able to use fluid intelligence to solve novel problems.
While people in the past no doubt retained and used some degree of fluid intelligence, it does not match the current situation. One need only look at the current smart devices to see a massive disparity between older and younger users. Older people are less adept at using technology, while younger people can quickly grasp what makes it “tick.” Technological development is only speeding up. As such, now, there is significant pressure on maintaining fluid intelligence until the later stages in life to keep up with the pace of the evolving world.
In this way, technology is now changing a centuries-old paradigm and directing human evolution towards increased levels and maintenance of fluid intelligence.
