This is also reminiscent of Kyaga et al's huge quantitative study on the Swedish population - turns out siblings of people with psychosis conditions (both schizophrenia and bipolar, though looks a little different for these two) are overrepresented in arts and sciences.
What a wonderful summary of the cliff-edge idea! Thanks, Awais! I am confident that cliff-edged fitness functions will prove important in understanding some diseases shaped by strong opposing selection forces (see work by Steve Frank) but I now think schizophrenia is more likely a product of a "wrenching transition" to the social niche.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wps.21072
Thank you for clarifying, Randy! This warrants a proper follow-up post on my part, and I’ll get to work on that. I should’ve checked in with you before publishing this post!
Interesting perspective, thanks! Brings in mind the crazywise movement and especially Thomas Armstrong's thoughts on the potential of psychosis (in his book 'the Power of Neurodiversity'). Both propose some of the traits we consider symptoms of psychosis were (and are) in fact benificial traits in hunter-gatherer societies. Such as the ability to have visions or to be guided by otherworldly spirits. Traits that come in handy as, say, a group's shaman. To me, having lived experience with psychosis, these thoughts ring true. Anyway, the implication might unfortunately be that the 'cliff edge' lies a bit further to the left in our society than in earlier eras of humanity. Food for thought.
Articles like this are the reward in the variable ratio reinforcement schedule that keep me on social media platforms. A+
This is also reminiscent of Kyaga et al's huge quantitative study on the Swedish population - turns out siblings of people with psychosis conditions (both schizophrenia and bipolar, though looks a little different for these two) are overrepresented in arts and sciences.
What a wonderful summary of the cliff-edge idea! Thanks, Awais! I am confident that cliff-edged fitness functions will prove important in understanding some diseases shaped by strong opposing selection forces (see work by Steve Frank) but I now think schizophrenia is more likely a product of a "wrenching transition" to the social niche.https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/wps.21072
Thank you for clarifying, Randy! This warrants a proper follow-up post on my part, and I’ll get to work on that. I should’ve checked in with you before publishing this post!
Interesting perspective, thanks! Brings in mind the crazywise movement and especially Thomas Armstrong's thoughts on the potential of psychosis (in his book 'the Power of Neurodiversity'). Both propose some of the traits we consider symptoms of psychosis were (and are) in fact benificial traits in hunter-gatherer societies. Such as the ability to have visions or to be guided by otherworldly spirits. Traits that come in handy as, say, a group's shaman. To me, having lived experience with psychosis, these thoughts ring true. Anyway, the implication might unfortunately be that the 'cliff edge' lies a bit further to the left in our society than in earlier eras of humanity. Food for thought.