Have extremely short lifespan so a limited capacity to learn (1-2 years)
Don’t raise their offspring, in fact after mating/laying eggs they naturally die, so no knowledge sharing
Are extremely solitary and don’t have social bonds or do anything socially, so little communication/passing of knowledge

[–] scarabic 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

I’m not even convinced that intelligence is a requirement to be the dominant species. Intelligence is so expensive that nature rarely ever selects for it.

Trilobytes did pretty damn well for a hell of a lot longer than we have so far. I think we need a stronger working definition of “dominant” in order to judge any candidates.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

But the reason he gives for them becoming the dominant species is their intelligence.

[–] scarabic 1 points 1 day ago

Sure well if that is a precondition of the conversation, we can talk about it. But IMO it may be a faulty assumption to go on.

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