VEGANISM VERSUS MEAT EATERS

Written By Rebecca Sylvia

Across species, the ones pulling off the fanciest cognition—dolphins, orcas, chimpanzees, humans—pair structured social lives with access to dense, dependable calories. None of them bootstrapped abstract reasoning on the evolutionary equivalent of juicing.

Encephalisation, extra cortical folding, drawn-out development, beefier neural wiring: all demand serious energy bills. Those costs have to be covered before natural selection can fine-tune the fancier stuff. Secure enough surplus fuel, though, and the game changes—selection starts rewarding Machiavellian smarts, coalitions, strategic fibs, language, empathy, symbolic thinking.

Bottom line: cognitive sophistication is energetically gated first. Social and ecological pressures only get to sculpt what’s already affordable #veganversusmeateater #veganpower #carnivoreketo #carnivorediet #brainhealth

Rebecca Sylvia

I am a Londoner with over 30 years of experience teaching psychology at A-Level, IB, and undergraduate levels. Throughout my career, I’ve taught in more than 40 establishments across the UK and internationally, including Spain, Lithuania, and Cyprus. My teaching has been consistently recognised for its high success rates, and I’ve also worked as a consultant in education, supporting institutions in delivering exceptional psychology programmes.

I’ve written various psychology materials and articles, focusing on making complex concepts accessible to students and educators. In addition to teaching, I’ve published peer-reviewed research in the field of eating disorders.

My career began after earning a degree in Psychology and a master’s in Cognitive Neuroscience. Over the years, I’ve combined my academic foundation with hands-on teaching and leadership roles, including serving as Head of Social Sciences.

Outside of my professional life, I have two children and enjoy a variety of interests, including skiing, hiking, playing backgammon, and podcasting. These pursuits keep me curious, active, and grounded—qualities I bring into my teaching and consultancy work. My personal and professional goals include inspiring curiosity about human behaviour, supporting educators, and helping students achieve their full potential.

https://psychstory.co.uk
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