Spandrel: The unintended consequences or byproduct of a function or thing. For example, we have a computer at work to crunch numbers, but the unintended consequences or spandrels are trolling the web, playing games, sending emails, etc. Unexpected results in animal husbandry also results in spandrels (see cocker spandrel). Similarly, having a large computational part of our cranial noggin (i.e. neocortex) permits us to plan ahead to predict where food is and avoid predators, but it also lets us become aware of our own mortality, our susceptibility to illness, and our need for advice, thus giving rise to the spandrels of religion, health insurance, and lawyers. (see also incest)
