Are we still evolving?

[Dorsetmike]

Lying in bed trying to get to sleep, I often find some strange thoughts floating around, last night it was "do we still need toe nails, or come to that separate toes"; the nails presumably were originally claws which we obviously no longer need as we cover them with shoes and socks now, the only occasional use for them is as another place for the ladies to apply nail polish when wearing sandals and of course for pedicurists. As for the toes themselves they can be awkward/fiddly to clean between especially as one gets older and less able to bend easily. As for use, the only thing I can think of is for the thongs on a pair of flip flops.

The front end of the foot does have a use when walking or running etc but does it really need to be separated into 5 separate bits? Are they ever likely to fuse together?

Hands are quite OK as they are, although even there the nails no longer have the original use as claws (except in a few cases mainly among some members of the female of the species) however they are handy for scratching itches, picking at scabs and finding the end of a roll of sellotape and providing employment for manicurists.

Any other parts we could do without? Do we really need hair? I can just hear the wails of hair stylists contemplating the loss of it!

 

[teddy]

We still need toes to help us balance and as you alreadt stated fingernails still have a use of sorts. Hair is no longer needed to keep us warm, although as we can lose a great deal of heat from our heads in cold weather it may be of help on our heads. The appendix is superflous and in fact is a bit of a nuisance these days.
Someone once suggested that the human body was designed by an engineer. Who else would put pleasure equipment next to a sewage processing site?

teddy

 

[Dorsetmike]

But Teddy, what I'm suggesting is not losing the function of the toes, just closing up the gaps between them, they act as one when inside a shoe, so we surely don't need them as 5 separate bits now.

 

[JHC]

Someone once suggested that the human body was designed by an engineer. Who else would put pleasure equipment next to a sewage processing site?

teddy

Funny that! I saw it on QI last night quoted by Mr Fry. Back to the question of "Are we still evolving" Of course we are, we wont be in this mess for ever it just takes a bit of time, I can think of a couple of things that are of no use to me anymore.

 

[teddy]

Not sure Mike. Even when wearing shoes the toes seem to operate independently. They certainly do in flip flops ( which I hate and never wear. I would rather be bare foot.)
Colin, that may be due to age rather than evolution.
Around Margate evolution seems to be working in reverse, judging by some of the specimens around.

teddy

 

[John Watt]

teddy! It's strange that all the nerves of the body flow through your feet.
They are important in very many ways.
Here's a couple of my thoughts about evolution.
When did humans stop making sounds and start talking?
When did humans lose getting in heat and have sex?
Did the last ice age turn humans into meat eaters?

As a protest mayoral candidate, I talk about the people in Welland.
I talk about those from three generations of drug and alcohol addicts,
talking about a de-evolution of humans, people born to be only dependant.
The highest per capita use of illegal drugs.
The one Beer Store, the most sales in Canada.
Releasing more untreated sewage in the river than any other municipality in Ontario.
The worst handwashing record in the province for the hospital.
Maybe an over 70% unemployment rate.
The cancer capital of Canada.
Does this look like evolution?

 

[teddy]

And I always thought of Canada as a beautiful place John. Sounds like Margate.

teddy

 

[JHC]

But Teddy, what I'm suggesting is not losing the function of the toes, just closing up the gaps between them, they act as one when inside a shoe, so we surely don't need them as 5 separate bits now.

I have just read a theory that one of the things that will dissapear due to our evolution over the 200,000 years will be the little toe, just not needed any more, :grin:

 

[teddy]

I suppose the same could be said of the little finger Colin.

teddy

 

[Dorsetmike]

I suppose the same could be said of the little finger Colin.

teddy

Never Teddy, it gets much further up your nose than the others

 

[JHC]

How could you enjoy a red without your pinkie. another thing that will change is.................. oh forget it.