OK, it's a little silly, but if you think about it it does bring up some interesting thoughts about how we think about evolution and family. I'm looking for a clever answer if you want 10 points.
2006-11-16 03:50:27 · 7 answers · asked by John L 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
You are the first modern human, loved and adored, and yes, when you hit puberty, somewhat feared - and occasionally thought to be a freak - by your more primative parents.
Your child (hypothetical or actual) is the first modern human, loved and adored, and yes, when he/she hits puberty, somewhat feared - and occasionally thought to be a freak - this is a cycle that has happened and will happen to every generation as long as we keep evolving.
Long range perspectives of humanity show that in retrospect, primative behaviors can be attributed to those who, in their time, thought they were pretty highly evolved. The instigators of the Spanish Inquisition actually thought they were correctly interpreting God's wishes... the first cave person to make a fire was likely thought to be very freakish (until dinner was served).
You see where I'm going with this, and being a clever answerer, I won't club you over the head with it. The answer, in short, is yes, and no. And, being a clever answerer, I will also tell you that yours was a right clever question. Your parents would be proud (and a little freaked out).
2006-11-16 05:27:55 · answer #1 · answered by Dr. Obvious 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolution is generally a slow process. So the appearance of a modern human probably was not a sudden change. Therefore his/her parents probably did not notice any big changes from their generation.
Modern humans have several definitive features:
Larger brains
Voice box higher in the throat - ability to speak better
Bi-pedalism - ability to walk for extended periods on two feet
Opposing thumb
Small motor skills
These features may not have all appeared at the same time.
Hope this helps!
2006-11-16 03:57:08 · answer #2 · answered by cfpops 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well seeing how evolution is gradual over long periods of time, I dont think the families would be totally astonished for a particular change in their son. The change would be incremental and they wouldnt even notice it. As the son passes on his genes, and his daughterhas a small change that makes her a little different than her father, the daughter wouldnt see herself as different. The point is, there was no sudden change between primitive and modern man. It was gradual and we only say modern and primitive as a distinction between man from long periods of time.
2006-11-16 03:56:07 · answer #3 · answered by leikevy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's possible that somwhere along the line, one individual, by chance got a bunch of variant genes that both changed outer appearance and favored survival. It's doubtful though. Evolution is usually slow -- gradual changes accrue over many generations. If the child was considered a "freak", survival odds go down.
2006-11-16 04:31:50 · answer #4 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evolution occurs far too slowly for them to probably even notice the changes.
2006-11-16 05:42:59 · answer #5 · answered by be_loved5 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well, looking at todays socsioty. stephen hawkings, for example. we think he is a retard, but he mathamaticly proved the universe is oblong and that 2+2 does equal 5
we think of him as a freak, but isint he just a bit phisicaly disabled??? in my opinion, though, the chang happend so slow, no one really noticed it.(hope i get 10 points)
2006-11-16 03:57:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As painfully slow as evolution is, I doubt that cave-parents noticed that thier offspring was slightly more evolved than they were... any more than modern parents recognize that thier children are ever-so-slightly more evolved than they are.
2006-11-16 03:54:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋