We Evolved From Aquatic Apes?

Sophus · July 31, 2009, 05:27:44 PM

What do you make of this?

http://www.ted.com/talks/elaine_morgan_says_we_evolved_from_aquatic_apes.html?awesm=on.ted.com_25&utm_campaign=ted&utm_medium=on.ted.com-twitter&utm_source=direct-on.ted.com&utm_content=site-basic

McQ · July 31, 2009, 07:17:41 PM

Well, I personally loved her talk and the fact that she questions everything as she does. The quotes she used were funny and on the mark too. I was never taught this theory (which helps her make her point) so I don't know anything about it. But I sure hopes she gets people thinking.

joeactor · July 31, 2009, 08:09:33 PM

Interesting hypothesis - and a stellar example of how science can work.

Aquatic Ape? I am one!

curiosityandthecat · July 31, 2009, 08:24:23 PM

MariaEvri · July 31, 2009, 08:31:25 PM

Ive heard of that before. In a nutshell, its supposed to explain why we lost our fur and why we stand straight. Im not sure I accept it yet.

Sophus · August 01, 2009, 01:34:21 AM

Correct. It also potentially explains our ability to speak (only animals who are "divers" can consciously control their breath). And I think it would really explain why our ancestors were hunters. If these primates had to dive for food to survive their diet would consist mostly of fish. At least to me it would seem that their early carnivorous behavior would offer a satisfying reason for why our more recent ancestors were hunters, unlike other primates who (while still omnivores) primarily ate like herbivores. It really opens up a new pathway toward how we achieved our high EQ. I like this theory, although I can't necessarily say I accept it.

More evidence would be nice.

curiosityandthecat · August 01, 2009, 03:52:14 AM

Quote from: "Sophus"More evidence would be nice.

Psh, you sound just like all those scientists... always wanting evidence for this and evidence for that. Can't you just be happy with what God tells you is true? Damn heathens, jeeze.

AlP · August 01, 2009, 04:02:21 AM

Evidence? More streamlined naked humans would be nice.

curiosityandthecat · August 01, 2009, 12:56:06 PM

Quote from: "AlP"Evidence? More streamlined naked humans would be nice.

Now that's the kind of science I can stand behind!

Ihateyoumike · August 02, 2009, 07:20:28 AM

Quote from: "AlP"Evidence? More streamlined naked humans would be nice.

You win!

Recusant · August 02, 2009, 10:34:51 AM

I admit, I do like this theory, but unfortunately I really doubt that it's valid. A problem with it that immediately came to my mind (and therefore has probably been raised before) is: If ancestors of H. Sapiens spent millenia as "aquatic apes," then the ability to swim should be an instinctive thing with us. Dogs, who do not as far as I know have "aquatic canines" in their family tree, are able to swim without any instruction at all; if our ancestors spent enough time in water to evolve certain morphological traits, one would think that we should be at least as comfortable in water as our furry friends. Also, mammals that have evolved for a life in water tend to have a pronounced layer of body fat, which we as a species do not.
Still, I find the idea of our ancestors happily splashing about in the water very charming.

Sophus · August 03, 2009, 12:19:24 AM

Quote from: "Recusant"I admit, I do like this theory, but unfortunately I really doubt that it's valid. A problem with it that immediately came to my mind (and therefore has probably been raised before) is: If ancestors of H. Sapiens spent millenia as "aquatic apes," then the ability to swim should be an instinctive thing with us. Dogs, who do not as far as I know have "aquatic canines" in their family tree, are able to swim without any instruction at all; if our ancestors spent enough time in water to evolve certain morphological traits, one would think that we should be at least as comfortable in water as our furry friends. Also, mammals that have evolved for a life in water tend to have a pronounced layer of body fat, which we as a species do not.
Still, I find the idea of our ancestors happily splashing about in the water very charming.

You may be on to something there. But here are my thoughts:

Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think these aquatic ape ancestors of ours would be somewhat distant. Through our many transitional ancestors in between perhaps swimming was no longer required and the instinct was lost.

As for the fat, this lady seemed to be under the impression that it explains why humans are able to become so immensly obese while other primates are not.

Ninteen45 · August 05, 2009, 04:42:24 PM

I doubt "Aquatic" is corrct. I mean, It could be a swampy enviroment like the amazon, or an enviroment filled with rivers. You guys are thinking ocean, not river. Sea, not swamp.

Big Mac · August 09, 2009, 07:48:51 AM

This is bullcrap....we evolved from retarded fish frogs

jbeukema · August 17, 2009, 01:53:22 PM

Quote from: "Big Mac"This is bullcrap....we evolved from retarded fish frogs

I think he was only talking about christians...

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We Evolved From Aquatic Apes?