It is cos, not only are we the most intelligent animals on the earth, we are also the dumbest animals on the earth.

Intelligence doesn't mean we know everything, unfortunately. It just makes it easier for us to learn.

In this case, we may be, but that does not mean that we are perfect. It is a fact that we still do struggle with conflicts today. I do believe however that some problems can be solved, while others like diseases are still one step ahead of their evolutions. Each human has their own reasons, and interprets ideas and information a different way, and the interaction with others along the world are different, as we strive for different goals, that makes us something to ponder on.

Because not everyone is equally intelligent, the stupid folks mess up everything for us. And we're intelligent but we're not born with all the knowledge of the world, we're learning everyday.

Because we are the most intelligent animals on the planet. The only thing that intelligence helps us with is understanding and interacting with the world around us, and coming up with abstract concepts, so it could easily be argued that human intelligence is the single worst thing ever to happen to the human race. If we weren't so adept at manipulating the world around us, I seriously doubt if we ever would have developed the machines and industry that pollutes and slowly destroys the planet, if we weren't so good at coming up with abstract concepts, we never would have come up with the concepts of "God" or "Money" or "Property", or even "Good" and "Evil" and most if not all wars would have been averted completely, and if we weren't so divided into our little abstract concepts of "Nations" and "Societies" perhaps the resources would be spread out a little more evenly so that we wouldn't have half the world obese and dying of diabetes and heart disease, and the other half impoverished and dying of starvation and infectious disease. So the next time you think of "Intelligence" as a pure mark of merit, think again.

Your question is based on a faulty premise. Animals kill each other too. They also have to struggle with disease and starvation. The difference between them and us is that we have the intellect to ponder and overcome these conditions while the animals simply have to endure them. Intelligence, in and of itself, does not guaranty that we will have a perfect existence. Many intelligent people choose to use their intelligence for evil and we can't even all agree on just what is right and what is wrong. That is simply a fact of life. So, we can't create the utopia that you seem to think should exist simply because we are intelligent.

Because intelligence does not always guarantee common sense.

All those things are characteristic features of Iron Age or Kali Yuga (age of darkness): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ages_of_Man http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuga http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satya_Yuga However, there is some hope. These things will reduce to 50% of their present level in about two decades according Hindu predictions. Swami Dattavadhut, Prophecies 1998 to 2100, Vanita Books, Mumbai, 1997, pp. 33-42.

I think you just answered your own question. We probably aren't the most intelligent animal.

Our intelligence comes at a price, and that price is everything else.

First, not every human claims to not know the answer to this question. There is a large section of humanity that believes they have the answers, whether or not they agree on what the answers are. For instance: a reasonably intelligent Christian who is open to a lot of study on the textbook of their faith sometimes conclude the following to be the answer: 1. We exist to please our creators desire to have a creature much like him. Effectively, he's growing a family. 2. We "kill each other, pollute the earth, air and water" because we brought death into the world through the "original sin". I.e. if the first mistake had never been made, more errors would not have happened. 3. We "struggle with disease, poverty and starvation" because this is a fallen world. The perfection which once was ceased to be when the first couple sinned, and the Earth became even more unstable after a giant flood wrecked this world. (Hence the reason why some Christians are disturbed by the typical comment made by other Christians: "Look at this beautiful world God made!" ) In spite of mainstream science loudly proclaiming that there is no God to ask this type of question of, the "Creationists" do have a few good points, like: go to AnswersInGenesis.org for more on this type of view of the world. Second, the title of "most 'intelligent animals' " does not require God-like thinking processes (i.e. omnipotence=knowing the why of every overworked question). It only requires that we be the best at reasoning. Basically, until "another animal" out there asks the same questions of themselves and humanity, we're the only contender for the most intelligent, period. As it is there's been only 2 other animals even suggested to be self-aware. You got to at least be self-aware to set the foundation for such a question.

My theory is, and most people think I'm crazy when I say this, but that we arent that intelligent and are not the most intelligent. We said that about ourselves under the impression that every animal knows less or can do less. But osmetime I get the slight feeling that animals know more than humans, that they know how to work better in a socitey and make better judgements (but then again, they dont have thumbs to help them make weapons, but it doesnt seem liek they need it, right?) And yes, I'm fully aware of how crazy I sound.

A destructive gene was placed into our DNA by Aliens. IT gets activated at intervals. How about that for a theroy????

We strive to gain knowledge and dont care who or what we harm to get it, thats just human nature. although we are starting to take a step back and realise our mistakes which may benifit our future generations. as for knowing why were here,that answer will never come

Cuz we is stoopid. Brain size and ability to think, plan and perform has nothing to do with fact that mankind has a big ego.

I don't know about all of it, but a few things stick out, sloroller. First, we are the only animal on earth smart enough to CONSIDER why we exist. That, in and of itself, is a sign of high intelligence. Next, ALL animals kill each other, given the right circumstances. A threatening smell, illness, or being born to another male are but a few instances. Third, all animals struggle with disease, many of which are NOT zoonotic, nor are they caused by humans. Diseases are simply organisms that also exist along side llife on earth. Poverty isn't just about money. It is about lacking the basic necessities of life (food, shelter, clothing). Though animals haven't evolved to make clothing, if they could they would! All of life struggles with basic neccessities. Daily life is most often a struggle between life and death every single day. Starvation is a natural part of that. Pollution is the product of our realization that life is much nicer, the less we have to struggle on a daily basis. Up until the 70's, we really had no idea that we were doing any damage. The fact that we are working on it, though slowly, is also a sign of intelligence....the abitlity to recognize cause and effect.

Those are side effects to intelligence. And it's not everyone, but as a whole, yes.

Well human brain is limited on being a fool until death. We are the smartest lifeforms on this planet tho. Human could research anything, we coulda live on other planets long time ago. But some smartguy invented money, and now we got that in our way. Useless piece of .. that we can't even eat. -.- If you want to increase your intelligence, you must increase your brain size 5x or use drugs to multiply its proccessing speed.