Different in degree or kind (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, December 25, 2013, 00:20 (3987 days ago) @ xeno6696


> > > Matt:But that just tells the story of how selective pressure of hunting resulted in driving humans towards language. We were on the ground before H. Erectus fossils were created.
> > 
> > David: I understand that, but the anatomic changes had to occur before speech could be realized. How did selective pressure create the anatomic changes unless guided by a plan? After all it involved the possibility of choking, and offered no physical survival advantage at the time.
> 
> Matt: The same way economics works: New circumstances placed new demands. As I posted on the "Origin of Language" thread, once we made the move to large game, for the first time in our history, we had the luxury of free time. What are you going to fill the time with? Its no coincidence that modern humans get bored easily. -I've discussed 'selective pressure' elsewhre as a seductive term that obscures reality. dhw and I both have put Natural Selection into its proper perspective, a minor passive player and we both are doubtful about the important of chance mututions.