4 ms·

Seems like everyone that is suggesting reasons why humans evolved chins didn't read the article. So, here's a NPR interview, with transcript, for them to ignore

Seems like everyone that is suggesting reasons why humans evolved chins didn't read the article. So, here's a NPR interview, with transcript, for them to ignore too. http://www.npr.org/2016/01/29/464893281/why-do-humans-have-chins-a-scientist-explains-the-enduring-puzzle http://www.npr.org/2016/01/29/464893281/why-do-humans-have-c... In short. It's unlikely to be for protection, or for sexual selection, or to aid in speech. Go to the interview detailed explanations.

rquantz 11y ago
It doesn't say it's unlikely to aid in speech, just that it's unlikely to be reinforcement for the stresses caused by the tongue while speaking.
bcook 11y ago
Ouch. I suppose we should read the articles... though, since there is no obvious answer, let us have our conversation. The condescension was not helpful. Most of the comments here offer reasons that are even mentioned in the articles as plausible.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
vacri 11y ago
"unlikey to be" is not "isn't". The counter to each of those items in the article is one researcher saying "yeah... I don't really think so", not something that's set in stone.
ScottBurson 11y ago
Well, here's what this article says about speech: Others have suggested that the chin is an adaptation for chinwags: It resists the forces we create when speaking. After all, speech is certainly a feature that separates us from other living animals. But there's no good evidence that the tongue exerts substantial enough forces to warrant a thick chunk of reinforcing bone. That's not my first thought at all. I think it has absolutely to do with speech, but not for that reason. I think it's to create more space for the tongue to move around and make different sounds. Just another SWAG, of course, but I'm surprised not to see this idea floated.

4 ms·

Seems like everyone that is suggesting reasons why humans evolved chins didn't read the article. So, here's a NPR interview, with transcript, for them to ignore

by yes_or_gnome 11y ago

rquantz 11y ago
It doesn't say it's unlikely to aid in speech, just that it's unlikely to be reinforcement for the stresses caused by the tongue while speaking.
bcook 11y ago
Ouch. I suppose we should read the articles... though, since there is no obvious answer, let us have our conversation. The condescension was not helpful. Most of the comments here offer reasons that are even mentioned in the articles as plausible.
deleted 11y ago
[deleted]
vacri 11y ago
"unlikey to be" is not "isn't". The counter to each of those items in the article is one researcher saying "yeah... I don't really think so", not something that's set in stone.
ScottBurson 11y ago
Well, here's what this article says about speech: Others have suggested that the chin is an adaptation for chinwags: It resists the forces we create when speaking. After all, speech is certainly a feature that separates us from other living animals. But there's no good evidence that the tongue exerts substantial enough forces to warrant a thick chunk of reinforcing bone. That's not my first thought at all. I think it has absolutely to do with speech, but not for that reason. I think it's to create more space for the tongue to move around and make different sounds. Just another SWAG, of course, but I'm surprised not to see this idea floated.