Author Topic: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?  (Read 9089 times)

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rangerrebew

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Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« on: December 11, 2018, 04:49:16 pm »
Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
We are the naked apes of the world, having shed most of our body hair long ago
 
By Jason Daley
 

Millions of modern humans ask themselves the same question every morning while looking in the mirror: Why am I so hairy? As a society, we spend millions of dollars per year on lip waxing, eyebrow threading, laser hair removal, and face and leg shaving, not to mention the cash we hand over to Supercuts or the neighborhood salon. But it turns out we are asking the wrong question—at least according to scientists who study human genetics and evolution. For them, the big mystery is why we are so hairless.

Evolutionary theorists have put forth numerous hypotheses for why humans became the naked mole rats of the primate world. Did we adapt to semi-aquatic environments? Does bare skin help us sweat to keep cool while hunting during the heat of the day? Did we lose our fur to read each other's emotional responses such as fuming or blushing? Scientists aren't exactly sure, but biologists are beginning to understand the physical mechanism that makes humans the naked apes. In particular, a recent study in the journal Cell Reports has begun to depilate the mystery at the molecular and genetic level.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/why-did-humans-evolve-lose-fur-180970980/

Online bigheadfred

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #1 on: December 11, 2018, 04:53:33 pm »
It really took hold in the cave-dwelling era. Dragging a mate through the rocks and brush can really take off the fur.
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #2 on: December 11, 2018, 05:04:20 pm »
It really took hold in the cave-dwelling era. Dragging a mate through the rocks and brush can really take off the fur.

Fleas.  You don't have fleas if you're not hairy.

Offline RoosGirl

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #3 on: December 11, 2018, 05:07:14 pm »
Aliens were hunting us for our pelts. We had to evolve or die.

Offline Frank Cannon

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2018, 05:12:38 pm »
Because of Brazil and their fads.

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2018, 05:15:21 pm »
Fleas.  You don't have fleas if you're not hairy.

Don't forget the lice.

Back when my dad got that job in Egypt he took my brother and me to meet his Egyptian counterpart. The guy was mostly bald. Somewhen during the talk, this flea comes marching across his dome. Made it very difficult to not watch the flea. The guy either had great self-control or just didn't care. But the flea made it from one side of the dome to the other.

She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2018, 05:16:28 pm »
Because of Brazil and their fads.

Brazil? Too much heat and humidity made fur unnecessary?
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #7 on: December 11, 2018, 05:17:36 pm »
Don't forget the lice.

Back when my dad got that job in Egypt he took my brother and me to meet his Egyptian counterpart. The guy was mostly bald. Somewhen during the talk, this flea comes marching across his dome. Made it very difficult to not watch the flea. The guy either had great self-control or just didn't care. But the flea made it from one side of the dome to the other.

No, I wouldn't want to forget them.

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #8 on: December 11, 2018, 05:21:13 pm »
Alopecia?
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #9 on: December 11, 2018, 05:23:39 pm »
@Sanguine

Who is @Cyber Liberty talking to? I don't recognize the name.
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #10 on: December 11, 2018, 05:29:48 pm »
@Sanguine

Who is @Cyber Liberty talking to? I don't recognize the name.

LOL.  That would make a good screen name....
For unvaccinated, we are looking at a winter of severe illness and death — if you’re unvaccinated — for themselves, their families, and the hospitals they’ll soon overwhelm. Sloe Joe Biteme 12/16
I will NOT comply.
 
Castillo del Cyber Autonomous Zone ~~~~~>                          :dontfeed:

Offline Dexter

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #11 on: December 11, 2018, 05:35:39 pm »
Early humans were persistence hunters, like wolves. We can't sprint faster than most of our prey, but we can chase it until it collapses from exhaustion. Our ability to sweat is crucial for that. I think fur would make it a lot more difficult to keep from overheating while chasing prey for miles and miles.
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Offline Sanguine

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #12 on: December 11, 2018, 05:36:02 pm »
LOL.  That would make a good screen name....

Yeah, it would.  We'd call him Al.

Offline Sanguine

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #13 on: December 11, 2018, 05:37:24 pm »
Early humans were persistence hunters, like wolves. We can't sprint faster than most of our prey, but we can chase it until it collapses from exhaustion. Our ability to sweat is crucial for that. I think fur would make it a lot more difficult to keep from overheating while chasing prey for miles and miles.

Horses sweat.  A lot.  And, they can trot for a long time.

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #14 on: December 11, 2018, 05:42:03 pm »
Horses sweat.  A lot.  And, they can trot for a long time.

So do pigs. And just think. If it wasn't for all the sweating from the effort, getting their feathers wet, they could FLY.
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

Offline Dexter

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #15 on: December 11, 2018, 05:44:04 pm »
Horses sweat.  A lot.  And, they can trot for a long time.

I'm pretty sure a human trained for persistence hunting could catch and kill a horse. Our bodies are excellent at dealing with heat. Some animals can definitely run long distances with fur, but I think us not having fur has something to do with why we are one of the best in the animal kingdom when it comes to that.
« Last Edit: December 11, 2018, 05:44:57 pm by Dexter »
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Offline XenaLee

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #16 on: December 11, 2018, 05:44:33 pm »
No quarter given to the enemy within...ever.

You can vote your way into socialism, but you have to shoot your way out of it.

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #17 on: December 11, 2018, 05:46:42 pm »
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #18 on: December 11, 2018, 05:48:55 pm »
I'm pretty sure a human trained for persistence hunting could catch and kill a horse. Our bodies are excellent at dealing with heat. Some animals can definitely run long distances with fur, but I think us not having fur has something to do with why we are one of the best in the animal kingdom when it comes to that.

Ever tried to catch a horse that didn't want to be caught?
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

Offline Gefn

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #19 on: December 11, 2018, 05:48:58 pm »
So manscaping and Brazilian waxes could be invented,  :silly:

Or so men could buy women fur coats before PETA was invented?

I’m in a silly mood. I wouldn’t wear a fur coat but I might wear a faux fur one.
« Last Edit: December 11, 2018, 05:50:40 pm by Freya »
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Offline Dexter

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #20 on: December 11, 2018, 05:51:53 pm »
Ever tried to catch a horse that didn't want to be caught?

No. haha

I've also never chased prey for 20+ miles.
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Online bigheadfred

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #21 on: December 11, 2018, 05:54:56 pm »
No. haha

I've also never chased prey for 20+ miles.

It isn't pursuing the prey. It is outthinking it.
She asked me name my foe then. I said the need within some men to fight and kill their brothers without thought of Love or God. Ken Hensley

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #22 on: December 11, 2018, 06:18:49 pm »
Quote from: article
  ...........she says. “No one understands really at all how these differences arise.”

In a nutshell... the whole of the article....
Exodus 18:21 Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders over ....

Offline Smokin Joe

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #23 on: December 11, 2018, 06:22:06 pm »
Don't forget the lice.

Back when my dad got that job in Egypt he took my brother and me to meet his Egyptian counterpart. The guy was mostly bald. Somewhen during the talk, this flea comes marching across his dome. Made it very difficult to not watch the flea. The guy either had great self-control or just didn't care. But the flea made it from one side of the dome to the other.
Something about North Africa and bugs. I worked with an Algerian who would sit there and talk to me with flies crawling across his face and not even twitch.... Me, I would have shooed the darned things away. :shrug:
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Offline musiclady

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Re: Why Did Humans Lose Their Fur?
« Reply #24 on: December 11, 2018, 06:23:17 pm »
Well, the Garden of Eden was the perfect temperature, so I'm pretty sure we never had fur.

No need.
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