[Virtus]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn23...other.html

http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/6294/...-evolution

[Giovonny]

This crazy evolutionary stuff always fucks me up!!!

[porscheguy]

Just heard the soundbite on NPR.

[LooTa]

Quote:

Mary Marzke of Arizona State University in Tempe says the study is interesting, but it far from proves that the ability to make a strong fist was the main driver behind the evolution of our hands' shape. It is more likely that it was a useful side effect of a whole suite of modifications.

She points out that apes strike with the heel of their hand when knocking fruit out of trees. Carrier's study didn't assess the force that the heel of the hand generates, but if it turns out to be as good as a fist, it becomes less clear that our hands evolved so as to be perfect for fist-making, Marzke says.

A simple weapon like a club or stick is a great equaliser in a fight. But you try gripping one with just your fingers, and it's nowhere near as secure, nor as powerful as if you had gripped it with your thumb acting as a buttress. The relative advantage of one who can use a weapon, to one who can't is huge, and much larger than any advantage a fist would have over an open palm.

They were on the right track, and it seems to just be the headline rather than the study itself that misleads about it being specifically for punching, but there's no doubt that fucking each other up was a major factor in how our hands were shaped, and it just happens that being able to make a strong fist gives us the best chance of doing that...and whatever other useful things it let's us do.

[billy]

The hands a crap for bare knuckle fighting and very easily damaged ,knuckles and fingers break far 2 easily even through 16 oz gloves.

[Kitsune]

Evolutionary imperitive: Punching each other in the face.
Positive Side effects: Better grip. Manual dexterity. Ability to traverse more terrain, use tools, pull up, push away, hold children, grapple with other people, animals or objects, carry items.


Seems legit.

[Spike]

(12-20-2012 06:54 AM)Kitsune Wrote:  

Evolutionary imperitive: Punching each other in the face.
Positive Side effects: Better grip. Manual dexterity. Ability to traverse more terrain, use tools, pull up, push away, hold children, grapple with other people, animals or objects, carry items.


Seems legit.

You forget: to choke the chicken.

[soup]

(12-20-2012 08:28 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(12-20-2012 06:54 AM)Kitsune Wrote:  

Evolutionary imperitive: Punching each other in the face.
Positive Side effects: Better grip. Manual dexterity. Ability to traverse more terrain, use tools, pull up, push away, hold children, grapple with other people, animals or objects, carry items.


Seems legit.

You forget: to choke the chicken.

Wait, does this mean apes can't jerk off? No wonder they are so pissed off.

[Moma]

(12-20-2012 08:38 AM)soup Wrote:  

(12-20-2012 08:28 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(12-20-2012 06:54 AM)Kitsune Wrote:  

Evolutionary imperitive: Punching each other in the face.
Positive Side effects: Better grip. Manual dexterity. Ability to traverse more terrain, use tools, pull up, push away, hold children, grapple with other people, animals or objects, carry items.


Seems legit.

You forget: to choke the chicken.

Wait, does this mean apes can't jerk off? No wonder they are so pissed off.

Apes CAN jerk off with BOTH their hands AND feet.

[Vicious]

(12-20-2012 06:54 AM)Kitsune Wrote:  

Evolutionary imperitive: Punching each other in the face.
Positive Side effects: Better grip. Manual dexterity. Ability to traverse more terrain, use tools, pull up, push away, hold children, grapple with other people, animals or objects, carry items.


Seems legit.

Exactly, from a perspective of survival these "side effects" are far more likely to be the selection of the most adaptable.

[TheMan]

(12-20-2012 08:28 AM)Neil Skywalker Wrote:  

(12-20-2012 06:54 AM)Kitsune Wrote:  

Evolutionary imperitive: Punching each other in the face.
Positive Side effects: Better grip. Manual dexterity. Ability to traverse more terrain, use tools, pull up, push away, hold children, grapple with other people, animals or objects, carry items.


Seems legit.

You forget: to choke the chicken.

thought that was a given