3 ms·
There was an observation about natural selection I heard a few months ago which is pretty obvious once you see it it: adaptations only matter during the period
by mannyv 3y ago
There was an observation about natural selection I heard a few months ago which is pretty obvious once you see it it: adaptations only matter during the period that you're fertile.
Mutations that increased long-term mental illness didn't matter if nobody lived past 30. Mutations that increased attractiveness but caused issues down the road would be selected for by definition.
In this case people with this gene would be actually available as mates, as opposed to the others who presumably tended to freeze to death.
- Podgajski 3y agoHave a lot of misunderstandings here. The people they talk about didn’t have mental illnesses in the past, we have them in the present, because our genes do not match our environment. These called adaptive traits were beneficial in a cold environment, not so beneficial in a warmer environment. And then you have all the dietary changes, etc.
- saalweachter 3y agoAlso, the average lifespan being short was not the same as nobody living past 30. Childhood mortality was INSANE even into the 19th century, but if you made it to 20 you still had pretty good odds of making into your 50s, 60s, or even 70s.
- chownie 3y ago> The people they talk about didn’t have mental illnesses in the past What do you mean by this? There was less on average, or that mental illness didn't exist at all?
- shepherdjerred 3y agoThis isn't entirely true. Adaptations are better if they help some offspring survive and reproduce during some window of time. For example, if I drop dead at 30 there's less of a chance that I can help protect/guide my offspring. If I live past 30 their chances of survival (and reproduction) increase.
- opportune 3y agoNope. Maybe if you are a housefly, but humans spend considerable amounts of time and effort raising their children (and grandchildren, nieces/nephews, cousins…).