The Twists of History and DNA

An anonymous reader writes "The New York Times has a piece today talking about the possible connection between genetic evolution and history." From the article: "Trying to explain cultural traits is, of course, a sensitive issue. The descriptions of national character common in the works of 19th-century historians were based on little more than prejudice. Together with unfounded notions of racial superiority they lent support to disastrous policies. But like phrenology, a wrong idea that held a basic truth (the brain's functions are indeed localized), the concept of national character could turn out to be not entirely baseless, at least when applied to societies shaped by specific evolutionary pressures."

Comments

Asians?

[kennygraham]

One can only wonder what evolutionary pressures caused well endowed Asian males do die out.

Re:Asians?

[dartarrow]

One can only wonder what evolutionary pressures caused well endowed Asian males do die out.

its the food silly...
ordered according endownment:
1. Africans (eat elephants)
2. Americans (eat hotdogs)
3. Asians (eat rice)

note: rabbits eat carrots which are about their own body-length. And now you know why they breed so fast.

McEvolution

[Dachannien]

Quoth the article:

Many of the reshaped genes are involved in taste, smell or digestion, suggesting that East Asians experienced some wrenching change in diet. Since the genetic changes occurred around the time that rice farming took hold, they may mark people's adaptation to a historical event, the beginning of the Neolithic revolution as societies switched from wild to cultivated foods.

By extension, we can expect evolutionary changes in North America within the next couple of centuries to accommodate our fondness for the Double Bacon Cheeseburger.

Re:oooh... yes, define "superior"

[flyingsquid]

A good example is the Rapanui of Easter Island. Their population grew to 10,000, larger than the island could handle and soon all of its resources were used up. Why? Because instead of working together, the leaders made a bad choice and began using everything to build big stone heads. They had no idea what kind of shit they were in until it was too late. The majority starved to death and the remaining people had to resort to eating the dead to survive. The population fell to 111.

Why do I suddenly get the sinking feeling that the next completely idiotic decision George W. makes will be to initiate a nationwide, $500 billion Giant Stone Head initiative?