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Weekend


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May 11, 2001

Strange But True!

  • A weekly column of incidental information, off-the-wall observations and other random facts about the world.
    • By BILL SONES and RICH SONES, Ph.D.
    Special to the Journal

    Q. What’s wrong with the old sci-fi notion that in 1,000,000 years we humans will have big heads (brains), spindly limbs (disuse), bald heads (in progress), and no wisdom teeth or little toes (vestigial)?

    A. It’s hard to see what reproductive benefits these would confer, and if no benefits, no dice from an evolutionary standpoint, says Michael Onken of the MAD Scientist Network. A bigger head could even force a wider pelvis for birth, and throw off walking.


     
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