>On Tue, 15 Jul 1997, Guru George wrote:
>
>> I particularly think his theory about the evolution of human
>> intelligence (actually, I would rather say human culture -
>> psychedelics are a great way of shaking up the old memes) being
>> linked to the use of psychedelic drugs has the ring of truth (see
>> 'Food of the Gods').
>
>Does McKenna actually have some evidence for this, or is he also
>basing his claim on that it "feels right"? It goes against most
>paleontology and what I understand of evolutionary theory.
The most interesting thing he references in the book (which I don't have
any more) is an experiment (don't ask me the details, I can't remember)
which showed that certain small amounts of psylocibin increase perceptual
abilities, and slightly larger amounts than that increase libido. (I
haven't checked his references.) I would be quite happy to admit it's
all nonsense if it is, but if it isn't it's really quite exciting and
thought provoking.
>Besides, isn't savannahs (or coastal areas if you believe in the
>aquatic ape theory) very poor in natural psychedelics? How would
>McKenna explain that?
>
He goes into this question in the book. Again, I can't
remember the details, I'm sorry - it's a while since I read the book.
Check it out. He's a good writer, and he is coherent - he doesn't
babble, and he really makes an effort to be clear and precise. If he's
mad he's mad in a really interesting way, not a boring way like the
usual flake.
Guru George