
      Thus, it is information that gets encoded into  genes,  information
      about how to replicate effectively in a particular environment.

      This  illustration  helps  us  understand  how  "information"  gets
      encoded  into  genes  via a blind cumulative selection process, But
      although it is driven by a  blind  process,   biological  evolution
      appears  to  be a goal directed process, when in fact it is not (at
      least in the sense that we usually use the term "goal directed").

      The process of cumulative selection can also help  to  explain  why
      humans  appear  to  be  so  much more intellegent than animals. Raw
      human intellience is, in fact, not  a great degree higher than  the
      intelligence  of  some intelligent animals, such as dogs, dolphins,
      chimps, etc.   At least the difference  between  animal  and  human
      intelligence  is  not  of  the magnitude that we might suspect.  If
      that is the case, why do we appear to be so much more  intelligent?
      For  example,  why do only we invent and enjoy advanced technology?
      The answer has  to  do  with  language,  and  with  the  cumulative
      selection of ideas that language allows.

      Language allows for  the  development  of  culture,   and  for  the
      cumulative  selection of ideas over time and space.  The individual
      benefits from the accumulated good  ideas  of  other  people,  even
      individuals no longer in the present environment.  Add writing, and
      the  development  of  science  (which,  as  noted  earlier,  is  an
      empirical  sieving of ideas), ideas are sieved over time and space.
      As information is sieved into genes, good ideas are  sieved  across
      time and space.

      Without  language,  ideas  don't  go  through  a  sieving   process
      (scientific  or otherwise), except within the ephemeral lifetime of
      one  individual.   Each  individual  goes  through  a  SINGLE  STEP
      selection   of  ideas.  An individual must learn everything for him
      or herself, absolutely from scratch.

      Indeed, without the benefit the cumulative selection of ideas  that
      language  and culture provides, humans is not much more intelligent
      than are chimps or dolphins.   Animals must make do with the single
      step selection of ideas.

      Thus, we've seen how powerful the process of  cumulative  selection
      is, both biologically and culturally.

