246 evolution: the ages and tomorrow 



differential is not an actuality, it still remains true that the 

 distribution of intelligence in the present populations of the 

 world is not safe. There are far too many individuals at aver- 

 age or below- average intelligence levels and too few at the 

 high intelligence levels necessary to design and discover and 

 control the rising industrial complex. There is absolutely 

 nothing in the present record to indicate that there will be 

 proportionately more individuals of high intelligence in the 

 future when they will be needed most desperately. On the 

 contrary, what evidence there is can only be interpreted 

 pessimistically. 



Here again the problem could actually be solved by man 

 if he so desired. High intelligence could be the birthright of 

 every individual in the population. Geneticists know the 

 ways by which the average capacities of the brain (memory, 

 reason, creative power, acuteness of perception, judgment, 

 and so on) could be raised. Selection and control of matings 

 in the same manner in which the horse breeders brought 

 into existence the ever faster and more streamlined runners 

 would do it. Not only could the geneticist increase the aver- 

 age intelligence, but he could push the upper limits beyond 

 the present levels. One cannot help but regret that man, be- 

 ing so self-deluded, is not in a position to lift himself up. It 

 would be so relatively easy. As always, evolution is again 

 faced with the difficulty of the complex— seemijigly insur- 

 mountable in this case. Again there is the ever-present haz- 

 ard, the rising possibility of failure, and in this case at the 

 last minute; for it is very doubtful indeed that the process 

 can overcome the trends novo in action without the con- 

 scious help of 772an himself. Even with man's help there is the 

 distinct possibility that the human brain is like other highly 

 specialized organs. It has its limitations, but at levels much 

 higher than any yet realized in the world's history. 



In the future, hidden and heretofore unused faculties of 

 the mind will no doubt be released and developed by men of 

 science and operational philosophy through their efforts to 



