Susan Cain asks, in her book on introverts, why this seemingly disadvantageous temperament has not been evolved out of us? The same question remains regarding schizophrenia. A condition that massively reduces life expectancy and hugely increases the chance of suicide is as prevalent in all types of society and also at all times throughout history. Cain suggests the introvert who feels deeper embarrassment, deeper empathic pain, traits that hinder progress, may find that these are traits that are part of a strategy of deeper thought and greater reflection. The extrovert may catch the first worm but catch with little knowledge of how to eat it. The introvert arrives wastes less energy and arrives equped with knowledge gained from having considered their move. So where is the balancing part of the schizoid 'strategy'? Sebastian Faulkes in his epic Human Traces suggests that it maybe a necessary hazard in the development of human consciousness. That we, as a species incur the regular schizoid casualties as a consequence of self awareness. Others have remarked on the historic superstitious belief in the partnership of madness and creativity. It doesn't take long spent in disturbed wings of mental hospitals to put this myth to bed. Or is there a mid point. On the brink of making the wrong connections maybe lies the ground of those who make new connections; fresh ideas for the tribes advance. The recent spat between the evolutionary biologists Wilson and Dawkins over whether the individual or the hive should be seen as the self replicating unit has simmered down expanding our views leaving me to think that it is not really a matter of just selfishly continuing ones own genetic line. Many animals have individuals that are gene linear sacrificial for the group benefit. So if we are accept that schizophrenia is of no advantage to the individual but that it may, at times help the group, how and in what ways can making the wrong connections, hearing voices and generally being subject to delusions be of any use?