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> Culture, however, [helps people adjust to their environment] more effectively than genes because the transfer of knowledge is faster and more flexible than the inheritance of genes, according to Waring and Wood.

But genes are the hardware upon which culture is written.

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I don't think they're saying this isn't true. The primary takeaway from this study, for me, is that when a species gains the necessary "hardware" to create and propogate culture, it hits a tipping point, and then the culture becomes the primary force for adaption.

I think certain birds and cetaceans are near this cusp, but their "culture" may be very difficult to understand or study especially as it pertains to adaptibility, with perhaps the exception of crows.

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