SI
SI
discoversearch

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor.  We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community.  If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.
Politics : The Environmentalist Thread -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?


To: neolib who wrote (20979)3/26/2008 3:25:28 AM
From: DavesM  Read Replies (2) | Respond to of 36917
 
Why do you have such a problem with the theory, that the use of fire and cooking provided the evolutionary drive that led to human evolution? Are you an evolutionary anthropologist who believes that hunting led to the evolution of modern man? Is it political?

You claim that there is no support for the theory that fire led to the evolution of man. Well, you are flat out wrong. Wrangham first published his theory in 1999, and scientists continue publishing papers adding to his case. His theory continues to survive, and he has been interviewed about his theory in journals such as Scientific American and Science. It is neither what you call an "outlandish" or "stupid claim" - even if it isn't the "consensus view".

His theory explains things like how early man (and homo erectus) was able to support the added energy requirement of a doubling of brain size. Realize that before one can have a big brain, one must find a way to meet the nutritional needs of a big brain - and do so consistently for a long time. Wrangham's theory also helps explain why early man developed small weak jaws with little teeth. Why female humans were able to increase in size relative to males (when compared to earlier hominids or other primates). His theory explains these things and more. Read his paper.

Fire Good!



To: neolib who wrote (20979)3/27/2008 11:52:07 PM
From: TigerPaw  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 36917
 
the driving force of human evolution

Fire was undoubtably important when it was discovered and would have affected who survived and who didn't. It was but one selection event in the long process of evolution. There is no "the driving force", there is only one of many driving forces. Most of the driving forces were probably adaptations to one disease or another.

TP