Re: Harry Potter saved my life today

In article <mcardle-5F6CFD.15224906012008@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Edward McArdle <mcardle@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

In article <cwlNO-E1576D.12473405012008@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
Green-Eyed Chris <cwlNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

In article <_WMej.129059$cJ3.64193@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"DaveD" <davedn1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Green-Eyed Chris" <cwlNO@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:cwlNO-09D95A.13143501012008@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In article <%x6ej.45824$Qf1.1634@xxxxxxxxxxxx>,
richard e white <chiphead@xxxxxxx> wrote:

<snip>

It is due to the connection between the third molars and advanced age
that they are called wisdom teeth. Natural selection is already phasing
them out. Humans are no longer required to chew their way through trees
or mastodon bones. Many people, like my kid sister, never even develop
them in the first place.

[snip]
--
Chris


Erm, how is natural selection phasing them out? Is there a higher mortality
rate before people have offspring if they have wisdom teeth, and/or do
people with wisdom teeth have less grandchildren? If there isn't a
difference in numbers of surviving offspring then natural selection is
unlikely to be acting :)
</pedant>

LOL, of all the people to worry!

Many do indeed die of wisdom tooth complications (Ramses II comes to
mind) before passing on their genes. However, owing to advances in
dentistry, the process of natural selection may take a few years longer
than mother nature intended.

If I may anticipate your next question, AFAIK, sperm banks are not yet
aware of the problem and do not filter out pedant donors who inquire.
--
Chris

I can see what the first writer means.

If something is needed for survival, it will thrive. If it does harm it
will die out. If it is harmless but unnecessary it may gradually
disappear. I hear that the appendix may fade away at some distant time.

Indeed, there are two sides to everything. (There is also a saying here
that everything has an end except the "Wurst" which has two.)

Recent research indicates that the appendix vermiformis serves as a
depot for beneficial but nonessential bacteria. People obviously also
die of appendicitis.

The theory, however, that the appendix is merely a receding vestige of
evolutionary development has been widely discarded.
--
Chris
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Harry Potter saved my life today
    ... that they are called wisdom teeth. ... how is natural selection phasing them out? ... rate before people have offspring if they have wisdom teeth, ...
    (alt.fan.harry-potter)
  • Re: Harry Potter saved my life today
    ... that they are called wisdom teeth. ... how is natural selection phasing them out? ... rate before people have offspring if they have wisdom teeth, ...
    (alt.fan.harry-potter)
  • Re: random walk mutation
    ... black, white, and ivory would make nine. ... If anybody has worked out a theory of how natural selection has PERFORMED ... take into account how all the little interim increments click into place. ...
    (sci.bio.evolution)
  • Re: Harry Potter saved my life today
    ... how is natural selection phasing them out? ... Is there a higher mortality rate before people have offspring if they have wisdom teeth, and/or do people with wisdom teeth have less grandchildren? ... If there isn't a difference in numbers of surviving offspring then natural selection is unlikely to be acting:) ...
    (alt.fan.harry-potter)
  • Re: Lets do something about these wisdom teeth.
    ... More evidence for the hypothesis that inspite of all his LOL's, Nicky ... lack of wisdom teeth - and actively supress the breeding opportunities ... selection is just a subset of natural selection, ...
    (talk.origins)