How Do Intelligence And Culture Work?

Ythri, viewed from space:

a few clusters of buildings, lacking defensive walls or regular streets, near primitive mines;

otherwise, small settlements scattered through large unpopulated areas;

some hunting, fishing and gathering cultures;

others metallurgic and pastoral;

a few dirt tracks between buildings and mines;

a few docks.

So how do the few original individuals necessary for progressive cultures communicate?

Answer: Ythrians fly.

Cainites live in isolated families with only occasional barter, individual conflicts or hunting alliances so how do they transmit tradition, communicate ideas and stimulate brains?

Answer: the dominant species creates and innovates while the subordinate species, more than the mere talking dogs that they appear to be, communicates and preserves.