Ten Things We Still Don't Understand About Humans

ParticleGirl writes "New Scientist has an article examining 10 human features (bugs?) that we still don't understand, like blushing, laughing, and nose-picking. There are some interesting, speculative evolutionary explanations listed for each. '[Psychologist Robert R. Provine] thinks laughing began in our pre-human ancestors as a physiological response to tickling. Modern apes maintain the ancestral 'pant-pant' laugh when they are tickled during play, and this evolved into the human 'ha-ha.' Then, he argues, as our brains got bigger, laughter acquired a powerful social function — to bond people. Indeed, Robin Dunbar at the University of Oxford has found that laughing increases levels of endorphins, our body's natural opiates, which he believes helps to strengthen social relationships.'"

Comments

Missed another pair: Teh goat guy and tubgirl

[tomhudson]

Not that we want to know the why of what they do ... and pity anyone who ends up with that as a research assignment. "Today, I have to interview this really big asshole - no, not Rush Limbaugh - and if you thing THAT's shitty, you ain't seen nothin' yet!"

Re:Missed one:

[Hurricane78]

The problem is, that it is just commonly assumed, that logic would be the highest form of intelligence, and that the emotional intelligence -- the one that women are really good at -- would be "lower" or somehow primitive.

So even women who call themselves "emancipated" really just run behind male ideals of intellectualism and engineer jobs, etc.

Who states that they are better? Seriously. Who came up with the stupid idea, that people skills, ability to sense emotions, and especially the ability to raise children well, would be bad things? I don't even think that there is a more important skill than the ability to raise and understand children. And that this is not the most respected job in the world really is a shame.

So... appreciate your female skills. Your "illogical" emotional brain is a strength. Work with it, instead of suppressing it. Aren't those "illogical" things often also those that feel the best?
What do you think why they feel the best? Not because they are inherently wrong, for sure!
Allow yourself to just let the hormones reign. Cry like crazy, get angry, laugh, love, hate, play all your emotions. Only by allowing them, can you relieve that "hell".

And don't let anyone tell you that because you are starting fights for no reason, then after them suddenly are happy, you are crazy, or something like that. You are not. It's girl style. It's good. You are even allowed to call it fun! And if a male friend really understands your needs, you both can handle it without hurting your relationship. You can also even improve it.

Or as a web-economy business plan:
1. Find out who you *really* are.
2. Accept and love that one.
3. Be yourself. (That real you.) Don't bend yourself for others.
4. ...
5. PROFIT! ;) (Notice how all interactions with others, and your own life, start to improve.)