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General Climbing Discussion

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darwinian throwbacks 10-Mar-2008 At 11:53:30 PM kerroxapithecus

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For what purpose is this ‘superior’ evolutionary adaptation? Why is extraordinary mobility of fingers while clenching fist a ‘proper’ adaptation or a Darwinian throwback? Adaptation to what and evolved for what? My hands seem quite well adapted to suit their purpose which is grasping. There doesn’t seem to be a reason for any natural selection of mutations that would give rise to this phenomenon. It seems that if you have this hyper-mobility of digits your hands may not have adapted properly for maintaining a strong grip. Having a more restricted movement in the centre digits while clenching the fist probably helped our ancestors to remain tightly grasping the branches and vines in Africa before they began to walk upright on the plains. Alternatively it could be that you have inherited genetic mutations that have departed from this because it is no longer required for survival but is only of negligible benefit…say for holding a stubbie without letting it fall before you’ve finished.
There’s always the possibility that you have in fact evolved from Neanderthal man who we thought died out. Ha! Or you could have been sent here from an intergalactic group of Raliens
There is no brotherhood of man in a Utopia, is there?