FarmBoy said:I'm not sold on the absence of gayness in preagricultural societies
There is a new study on genetics of homosexuality and masturbation by Barry & Bonnie Hewlett:
http://anthro.vancouver.wsu.edu/media/PDF/sex_paper_final_10-2010.pdf
http://www.theatlantic.com/health/a...bation-and-homosexuality-do-not-exist/265849/
They found out that homosexuality does not occur in hunter-gatherer populations, such as the Aka and the Ngandu.
Among the Aka and the Ngandu (both from Central Africa) not only homosexuality does not exist, but also masturbation:
Their conclusion was that homosexuality and masturbation might be evolutionary responses to overpopulation.
I've heard one anthropologist say that half their job is finding out what the rules are supposed to be, and the other half is to find out the circumstances under which they are bent, broken or just conveniently forgotten.Anthropologists often fail to take account of the fact that people will often tell them lies, or be less than forthcoming, about their private lives.
Yeah I agree. Never heard that stuff before, it makes a certain intuitive sense. But yes no worries, I take it with a lot of salt and doubt. Still, some interesting ideas.Interesting stuff Domen.
You don't think that chimpanzees might experience overpopulation pressures within a certain locality?
I agree it's a rather dubious speculation, though. Especially as they seem to claim that the Aka don't know about either. I don't see why chimpanzees would experience overpopulation while the Aka wouldn't.
the genes for homosexuality and/or frequent masturbation would have to already exist in the population in order for them to be selected for, so the notion that they just don't exist at all in groups that aren't overpopulated but then somehow appear as if on cue once overpopulation becomes an issue is ridiculous.
that they just don't exist at all in groups that aren't overpopulated but then somehow appear as if on cue once overpopulation becomes an issue
Uhm... Have you ever heard about a thing called "mutations" ???
Who claimed this?
It is enough that this mutation appeared independently just a few times around the world, and then spread.
Nobody claims that it appears all the time when only some overpopulation occurs.
Teach the Aka / Ngandu how to farm and they might still not develop this mutation for the next 500 years.
Agent327 said:We know homosexuality exists in non-human species, and masturbation can be observed with chimpansees
Who says that mutations which caused homosexualism appeared in already grown individuals ???
It's the only thing that allows the original thing you linked to to even be remotely feasible
If homosexuality is a trait that is determined genetically from birth, then it is FAR more likely for those genes to spread in underpopulated situations, because there will be far more societal pressure to produce offspring. In overpopulated situations, those genes would be LESS likely to spread, because there will not be as much societal pressure for gay people to have babies.