The Civilization Gene

Why did human civilization happen? Nobody really knows. Could it be that we are "genetically predisposed" to act together, in concert, to create civilization, and our social and economic interactions?

We might very well be. Adam Smith described in "Wealth of Nations" how specialization leads to superior output, which in turn led to economic prosperity. He showed though "comparative advantage" that by each country producing what it produces best, and then trading with each other, the true wealth of nations was achieved. But this requires a conscious effort. What if these is an "unconscious effort" i.e. a "genetic predisposition to specialize." I think there might actually be a gene in humans that encourages us to specialize. Now I can't point to the genetic sequence, but I think I can point to evidence that such a "genetic predisposition to specialize exists. But first Let's examine the societal benefits of specialization. Originally we were hunter-gatherers operating in family bands of say 20 individuals. Half of whom were female. Probably a third of whom were children below the age of 12. That leaves about 7 males to go out to hunt. Now of course it is obvious that women specialized in the gathering and males specialized in the hunting. But let's ignore the gender based differences and concentrate just on the males. So every day 7 males go out to hunt the days fresh meat. After some time it becomes clear that Claude and Brute are the best hunters. Rock isn't quit as good a hunter, but he sure makes the best arrows. In fact, Rock is known to spend an enormous amount of time making the best arrows. You could say he's "obsessed" with arrow making. Thud, also not quite as good a hunter as Claude and Brute, makes the best bows. In fact, Thud is known to spend an enormous amount of time making the best bows. You could say he's "obsessed" with bow making. Now Gallute, also not quite as good a hunter as Claude and Brute, is terrific at finding prey. In fact, Gallute is known to spend an enormous amount of time tracking and figuring out where to find game. You could say he's "obsessed" with finding game. After some time during which each hunter makes his own arrows, bows, and tracks his own game, Claude and Rock decide they might be even better hunters if they allow Thud and Rock stay back at the encampment, making their bows and arrows, which Claude and Brute will then trade for, with their game. Thus each person specializes in their "obsession," and we take a small step toward civilization through the interdependence that specialization creates. It is my contention that each individual has their own passion (which in its uncontrolled form becomes an obsession) and because their passion causes them to excel its production, the benefits to the whole are realized, and that we all seem to have our own passion, unlike monkeys who only have a passion for bananas.

The gene of specialization exists, but I can''t point to it directly. The gene of specialization shows itself when when it becomes too powerful. The gene of specialization when uncontrolled manifests itself as "Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder." In other words, OCD is a the urge to specialize, that exists within each of us, but in the individual with OCD, it's gotten completely out of hand. However, the OCD I believe was in us to varying degrees, as with Claude, Burte et. al. the OCD is only the urge to specialize that is unchecked, but when in its proper measure, this predisposition helps us form civilization by encouraging mutual interdependence and superior performance.