On Humans Not So Simple After All? Apes, Einstein, and the Many Mysteries of the Human Brain ~ Dean Falk
Sep 3, 2025
Dean Falk, a paleo-neurologist, dives into the intriguing complexities of human brain evolution. She challenges conventional wisdom about brain size and cognitive function, highlighting how bipedalism influenced anatomical changes. Falk also discusses the unique aspects of Einstein's brain and the significance of areas like Broca's area in language development. Through fascinating case studies, she unravels the intricate relationship between brain morphology and our evolutionary journey, shedding light on the mysteries that make us human.
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Reorganization Precedes Size Growth
- Brain reorganization can precede measurable size increases and indicate cognitive change early in hominin evolution.
- Dean Falk argues shape changes visible on endocasts hint at internal wiring shifts before expansion.
Size Isn't Everything
- Brain size alone does not fully explain human cognition; organization and connectivity matter deeply.
- Falk emphasizes that neurons' roles depend on how the brain is wired and what networks they form.
Folds Alone Don't Explain Function
- Scaling increases convolution but doesn't explain cognitive specializations by itself.
- Falk asks what those added folds do functionally, pointing to connectivity and networks as key.