Kevin Simler

@KevinSimler re: the piraha, they have a very positivist epistemology, but interact with spirits and even trade names with them

@KevinSimler I think animism is inherent & ineradicable in our psyches - just have to look for it (computers have spirits and intention)

@sarahdoingthing yes, this I believe too. But I want to separate that from worship/costly signaling/social cohesion. Is that dangerous?

@KevinSimler I think the costly signaling stuff is built on a cognitive framework of the tendency to see intention and minds everywhere

@sarahdoingthing You might be right, but I don't see the connection b/t the two. Can certainly do costly signals w/o positing spirits.

@sarahdoingthing What line do you draw from "seeing intentions and minds everywhere" to costly signaling group-loyalty behaviors?

@KevinSimler maybe nothing more than building on a pre-existing framework - the best connection is your "absent node" thing

@KevinSimler these entities just end up being sweet Schelling points/targets for costly signaling