Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Bob Dunn on 06/02/2011 19:30:04

Title: Why is the Aquatic Ape theory dismissed?
Post by: Bob Dunn on 06/02/2011 19:30:04

Bob Dunn  asked the Naked Scientists:
   
Dear Naked Scientists,

Having only just been introduced to your shows, but working my way backwards with available podcasts, I would like to ask the following:
 
Why is the Aquatic Ape theory so dismissed by the general scientific community when to me, it appears to provide a well thought out, rational, constructive alternative to the traditional idea of mans development and evolution route.
 
I have read various articles, seen Elaine Morgan on TED and even read Sir David Attenborough's thoughts on it.  Why is there such a lack of debate - surely it's not the same as Scientology and Evolution?
 
Very best regards
 
Bob Dunn
Stourbridge
West Midlands

What do you think?

Title: Why is the Aquatic Ape theory dismissed?
Post by: CliffordK on 06/02/2011 21:57:07

Interesting theory.

Perhaps one should think of evolution as an evolutionary web, rather than an evolutionary tree.  I think there is a lot of evidence that as humans and hominids migrated around the world, there would be branches that would become genetically isolated, and then interbreed with other humans...  Eventually the more beneficial genes get selected for.

So it might be difficult to know if the whole human population passed through an "aquatic phase"...  or say a fishing village split off then imparted genes back into the mainline evolution.

Much of Human Evolution has been dominated by Ice Ages, and relatively rapid climate changes (which we are now concerned about).  During Ice Ages the CO₂ content on the continents drops down to about 180ppm, largely due to a shift from atmosphere to sea.  This alone, not considering the ice, would likely cause huge repercussions for continental life, and possibly favor marine life.  But, it would also mean the water would become frigid.   [xx(]