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Briefing: Survival of the wittiest: Expert says linguistic cleverness aids human evolution

Strategic angle: Is wittiness a kind of fitness? Ljiljana Progovac explores the idea that quick-wittedness has been actively selected for in humans from the dawn of language.

Editorial StaffMarch 31, 20261 MIN READ

Ljiljana Progovac's recent exploration focuses on the potential evolutionary advantages of linguistic cleverness, particularly quick-wittedness, in humans.

The concept suggests that the ability to use language in clever and humorous ways may have been selected for throughout human history, influencing social dynamics and communication.

Published in Phys.org, this analysis raises questions about how linguistic skills could impact human development and societal structures.