Biologically speaking, humans are a remarkable, and quirky, species.
The New Scientist magazine has published a list of the odd things we do every day that don't make a lot of sense.
With all the scientific advancement, you'd think we know why we do the funny things we do. But why do we create art, or dream, or pick our noses?
Here's a list from the magazine of our quirky traits and why they think we do them:
- Blushing: some think it may help diffuse confrontation or foster intimacy by revealing weakness.
- Laughter: a 10-year study confounded our reasons for laughing, saying that more laughter is produced by banal comments than jokes.
- Kissing: not all human societies do it. Theorists say it's associated with memories of breastfeeding and that ancient humans weaned their children by feeding them from their mouths, reinforcing a link between sharing saliva and pleasure.
- Dreaming: recognised to help us process emotions, but why we see such bizarre visions has not been properly explained.
- Superstition: it makes no evolutionary sense, and it seems beneficial not to dismiss a lion's rustle in the grass as a gust of wind. Religion taps into this vein.
- Picking your nose: why do a quarter of teenagers pick and ingest "nasal detritus" on average four times a day? Maybe it boosts the immune system. Yeah, right.
- Adolescence: no other species undergoes the dramatic, unpredictable teenage years, which John Hughes portrayed so well in his films. Some say it helps our brain reorganise before adulthood or that it allows experimentation before the responsibility of later years.
- Altruism: giving things away with no certain reward is odd in evolutionary terms. It may help with group bonding or simply gives pleasure.
- Art: painting, dance, sculpture and music, none of it shows one's mating potential. However, it could also be a tool for spreading knowledge or sharing experience.
- Body hair: fine hair on the body and thick hair on the genitals is the opposite of what occurs in primates. Explanations include its role in radiating scent, providing warmth or even protecting from chafing.
What would you add to this list? I'd have to add: flying with US air carriers.
Comments
Dying seems a bit silly, in an evolutionary sense. I would have thought it far more practical to just keep things living forever. Saves hassle, mess and pain. And it cuts out a considerable expenditure of energy and complication from reproduction..
Sep 18 02:35 pma
Sep 18 03:13 pmEvolutionary sense is like comparing us to other life forms on earth. As far as I know, there is no life form that lives forever so I dont really think it silly. What I find weird is that many people are scared of mice, cats, spiders, insects, worms etc, etc. Even though they're not poisonous and are scared of us. It is indeed very odd. I dont know any other species that do this kind of thing; jump up and down and scream at things that mean us no harm and are lots smaller in size.
Sep 18 03:24 pmThings that can't be explained, or don't make sense? How about the widespread appeal of hip-hop?
Sep 18 04:06 pmWell actually their are two creatures that scientists believe are biologically immortal, a jellyfish (which can go through the life cycle of baby-adult-baby forever) and a hydra (which never ages), yep I spend too much time googling.
Sep 18 04:43 pm