Working in Movement

Human Impulsiveness Selected For By Foraging Lifestyle? mentions a study that investigated behavior in blue jays. The researchers contend that impulsive behavior, going for a small reward right now instead of waiting for a larger reward later, was necessary for foragers. But now, of course, most of us don't have to forage to eat. And that's kind of problem; impulsiveness isn't rewarded now, but deliberation often is. The environment changed, but many of those exhibiting chronic impulsive behavior haven't adapted.

Out of all this, the blog's writer observes:

Humans are going to have to adapt themselves and their offspring to modern environments. Succeessful adaptation will require the development of drugs, gene therapies, and stem cell therapries to adjust brains to be more adaptive and compatible with modern environments.

Interesting. But it does seem curious to me that the most adaptable thing I know of, the human nervous system, will probably have to rely on externally-applied remedies. These usually are much faster than using a learning approach, but I bet they can have some pretty big unintended consequences, too.