Dinosaurs got dumber over time, humans can too

(CLO) A recent Chinese-led study on dinosaur evolution has raised an important warning for the modern world, where we are increasingly dependent on technology.

According to research by Chinese and American scientists, the intelligence, hearing and smell of horned dinosaurs gradually decreased as they evolved over 100 million years of evolution. Scientists say this process could be a warning to humans if we continue to rely too much on technology.

In a paper published in the journal Paleobiology in October, the researchers wrote: "The sense of smell of early-diverging ceratopsians is more sensitive than that of late-diverging ceratopsids and Protoceratops (a Late Cretaceous dinosaur from Asia). The earliest horned dinosaurs had relatively large brain masses, much larger than those of most extant reptiles."

Scientists explain that functions such as hearing and smell helped young dinosaurs avoid predators, but as they grew and grew larger, these abilities were no longer used as much and gradually became less important.

Research has found that ceratopsians experienced a decline in intelligence, hearing and smell as they evolved into larger creatures. Photo: Shutterstock

Ceratopsians, herbivorous dinosaurs with horns and frills, lived during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods. The first ceratopsians, such as Psittacosaurus and Yinlong, walked on two legs and were about 1-2 meters long. However, after nearly 100 million years of evolution, by the end of the Cretaceous period, ceratopsians such as Triceratops had developed the ability to walk on four legs and reached lengths of up to 9 meters, capable of fighting predatory dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex.

In the new study, scientists from the China University of Geosciences, the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleontology in Beijing, the Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, and George Washington University used CAT scanning technology to image and analyze the brain cavities of dinosaur fossils, thereby reconstructing their brain sizes.

"As ceratopsians grew and developed features such as protective coverings, their ability to defend themselves against predators improved, reducing the risk of becoming prey," said Associate Professor Han Fenglu at the China University of Geosciences in Wuhan. "The environment became safer for them, while smaller species still had to rely on vigilance and agility to survive."

Han argues that, for example, modern carnivores living in packs such as lions exhibit high levels of intelligence to coordinate their hunting, while herbivores such as bison and zebras require less intelligence, as their survival depends on their ability to find food and avoid predators.

For humans, Han warns that overreliance on technology could weaken our natural abilities. “We would have a hard time going back to the wild if modern society and technology suddenly disappeared. We need to maintain the sharpness of our senses and other abilities as we evolve,” he says.

Han stressed that humans are increasingly dependent on technology, especially mechanization and artificial intelligence, which could leave us in trouble if these tools are no longer available in the future.

"Dinosaur discoveries remind us not to be too dependent on technology. While dinosaurs could not control evolution, humans with advanced brains can manage their behavior and choices," he said.

Scientists in general and even science fiction movies about the future (like the movie Idiocracy) have issued similar warnings, stating that not having to think much due to over-reliance on technology will cause human intelligence to decline over time, even to the point of stupidity or stupidity (because everything is done by machines).

And that is also the basis for scientists to worry that one day, robots will dominate the world, not humans on this planet. Humans actually see that prospect gradually taking shape right now, in the context of AI robots developing rapidly every day.

Hoai Phuong (according to SCMP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/nghien-cuu-khung-long-kem-thong-minh-hon-theo-thoi-gian-con-nguoi-cung-co-the-nhu-vay-post323816.html