Thick Skull a Survival Trait

Waffle Iron writes "This article at cnn.com reports: 'Scientists say the bulky craniums of the human ancestor, homo erectus, may have helped the species survive some aggressive mating rituals. After studying fossils in a region called Dragon Bone Hill in China, anthropologist Russell Ciochon of the University of Iowa concluded males of the species were clubbing one another over the head, probably to win females.' However, the geekier cavemen may have won out at the end. The article goes on to say: '...evolution eventually favored a lighter skull to accommodate a heavier and larger brain'."

Article in The Observer

[FePe]

Compare the article with this article [guardian.co.uk], "Big heads really are smarter".

It seems like the smartest people in the world has a large head and wears glasses.

Re:*Tnok* *Squee!*

[metlin]

I know this is intended to be funny, but it makes me wonder.

Are we at a state where social skills are more important than intellectual skills? Often, the more intelligent ones are the ones with really poor social skills.

Just think about it - the Slashdot crowd is largely the cream (or atleast a significant part) of the intellectual populace.

And if this is the case, the *intelligent* ones are actually being beaten by the less capable ones. The more intellectual ones are the ones who are single.

And these are the ones who are capable of changing the world, who are capable of doing radical things, who can think outside the box. However, these very people are socially so inept.

Does this not fly in the face of Darwinism? Just wondering, as someone who had a bad breakup the day before Valentine's day :)

Re:*Tnok* *Squee!*

[NanoGator]

"Are we at a state where social skills are more important than intellectual skills? Often, the more intelligent ones are the ones with really poor social skills."

This may be true at the age of 20, but how about 40? I had a terrible time in high school, but now I'm in my mid-20's, and I'm not having anywhere near the problems with women that I used to. I think when women reach a certain phase in their lives, it's less about looks and more about "Can I stand this guy?"

"And if this is the case, the *intelligent* ones are actually being beaten by the less capable ones. The more intellectual ones are the ones who are single."

Not to rehash what I said before, but I really think this situation only really occurs in the younger age brackets. I have a tough time imagining that when most of the people that frequent here reach 40, they're not married or at least have a very significant relationship.

"Does this not fly in the face of Darwinism? Just wondering, as someone who had a bad breakup the day before Valentine's day :)"

Not if smart people use condoms. ;) Seriously, though, one would probably find that 'geeks' are fewer in number than jocks. If women don't find geekier types as attractive, then yeah there'll be fewer babies born to these folks. Does this fly in the face of what I just said? No, I don't think so. Farther down the line, people get more responsible. A 30 year old is less likely to become pregnant 'accidentally' than a 20 year old. But at the young age, you get caught up in hormones, find an attractive mate and...

On a side note, diversity is more important than brains. Would it be so bad if genetics made us a little less smart and a little more physical? Having brains is probably nice, but it sure makes opening pickle jobs needlessly difficult.