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Anthropology

Nitram

(24,817 posts)

7. Poindexter, I'm not sure I agree. We have not evolved in a genetic sense for a very long time.

Reply to PoindexterOglethorpe (Reply #1)

Fri Apr 19, 2019, 02:21 PM

Apr 2019

We now evolve through culture. Remember, evolution only occurs if some genes are removed from the gene pool and new ones become more numerous. Our advances in medicine and tool use mean that most of us will live to reproduce. Evolution works at the population level based on which individuals tend to survive and which ones don't.

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Evolution of the human face points to a non-violent past [View all] Judi Lynn Apr 2019 OP

Yes. PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2019 #1

Thank you. murielm99 Apr 2019 #2

Thanks, added both to my ThriftBooks Wish List. nt eppur_se_muova Apr 2019 #3

I just found Thriftbooks about a year ago. Better late than never I guess...:) dameatball Apr 2019 #14

Tremendous reading recommendations. Thank you! n/t Judi Lynn Apr 2019 #4

Poindexter, I'm not sure I agree. We have not evolved in a genetic sense for a very long time. Nitram Apr 2019 #7

Yes, we have evolved in a genetic sense, PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2019 #8

What selective pressure is it that would lead to a complete loss of wisdom teeth? Nitram Apr 2019 #9

I don't know. But the reality is that PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2019 #10

Yes, wisdom teeth changed over time when there were selective pressures that helped eliminate them Nitram Apr 2019 #12

So if there are no selective pressures to eliminate wisdom teeth, PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2019 #13

A Ted talk awhile back analyzed how we are smarter than our great grandparents Farmer-Rick Apr 2019 #5

In all honesty, I'm not that certain that we, collectively, are PoindexterOglethorpe Apr 2019 #11

We learned to kill without using our teeth to rip out an enemy's throat. Nitram Apr 2019 #6

I'm missing the "non-violent past" part as well. JustFiveMoreMinutes Apr 2019 #16

Cooked food too, me thinks prodigitalson Apr 2019 #15