Ability Quote by John Medina
“The ability to double our biomass - not by waiting several million years and growing to be the size of an elephant - but waiting a few hundred thousand years for neurons to sprout into our brains - ones capable of having us create emotional relationships with other members of our species. We thereby double our biomass not by getting bigger, but by creating an ally.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Brain: The Story of You, John Medina, 2018
Human evolution may increase intelligence through social bonds rather than physical size, creating emotional allies.
In simple terms: Intelligence grows via relationships, not just size
Key Takeaway
Cultivate deep connections to expand mental capacity
Themes
evolution
social intelligence
biology
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- team building
- education
- mental health
- leadership
Key Concepts
neuroscience
cooperation
Questions to Reflect On
- What allies have shaped your thinking?
- How can you nurture supportive bonds?
A Different Perspective
Relationships require effort and can be fragile
![“When a caterpillar eats a leaf, then a thrush eats the caterpillar, or when a hawk eats the thrush only 5 to 20% of usable energy is transferred from one level to the next. ... Thus herbivores will account for a much smaller fraction of the biomass [than plants] and the carnivores for a still…” quote by Richard Heinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a7/richard-heinberg-28724_accounts_when-a-caterpillar-eats-a-leaf-then-a-th_1543538.jpg)
