http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/07/27/ryan.promiscuity.normal/
The above article and video put forth some interesting theories about our "first" ancestors sexuality and monogamy.
So what do you think?
The above article and video put forth some interesting theories about our "first" ancestors sexuality and monogamy.
So what do you think?
I think I'm aroused.
I'm happy evolution took away our hair and did a lot of other cool stuff to us, but it's too bad we couldn't have latched onto that method of conflict resoultion.
LOGANLOVERS wrote:
I'm happy evolution took away our hair and did a lot of other cool stuff to us, but it's too bad we couldn't have latched onto that method of conflict resoultion.
If you read the article in the link above the video, the author postulates that 10,000 years ago a shift in our way of life (agricultural revolution) also shifted the sexual paradigm. And that is why that method of conflict resolution was abandoned, not because of evolutionary pressures, but because of social pressures. Being that it only occurred 10,000 years ago that is why the basic instinct has not changed, and why humans still seek sexual variety, even multiple partners. That theory is so radically different from most other evolution theories it is akin to Copernicus suggesting that the earth was not the center of the universe. History and science have proven Copernicus right, what about this theory?
I have actually found this to be true, quite recently in fact. My wife and I were at a rough time in our marriage and simoultaneously happened upon another woman that we both really enjoyed (who is also QUITE gorgeous). After a while of all getting to know each other, we welcomed her into our home and she became our full-time 3rd. Within mere days of her joining us, the conflict between my wife and I just faded. While the 2 ladies love each other dearly, there seems to be between them a friendly sort of competition for my affections at any given moment. Therein, they are both perpetually on their "best behavior". It's a communal, free and open relationship now and everyone gets along even better than what was already a great marriage. There is no guilt and no jealousy, just love and friendship. It's awesome and stands as irrefutable evidence that "civilized, modernized sexuality" is not the natural state of the species. Thus ends my rant, good day to all.
I think animals weren't/aren't monogamous with a few exceptions such as wolves, peregrine falcons, penguins, and dolphins if i'm remembering correctly. i don't think i'd call it the same concept as swinging, but the idea was for the dominant male to spread his genes around as much as possible. whereas the females would attempt to mate with multiple males as to get more assistance with upbringing as well as pass on her own genes. that's my theory anywho. may or may not be even close to the truth, but it makes sense to me.
The author of the CNN article has co-written a book "Sex at dawn: The Prehistoric Origins of Modern Sexuality" Have not read it yet, but will soon.
It is interesting to see that the bonobos engage in sexual practices such as oral sex, anal sex, gay sex, and group sex, as a matter of course. Could this be the way early humans practiced their sexuality? What about pair bonding? If memory serves, from what has been observed in Emperor Penguins, they pair bond for as long as it takes to raise a chick to self-sufficiency. If the egg does not hatch, or the chick dies before then, the bond is dissolved and the two find new mates for the next season, just as when the chick is able to care for itself. Could this be the way early humans pair bonded? Would this explain the "seven year itch"? Or as Dr. Ryan says," An individual male's "parental investment," in other words, tends to be diffuse in societies like those in which we evolved, not directed toward one particular woman -- or harem of women -- and her children, as conventional views of our sexual evolution insist." Could it be that both pair bonding, and communal parenting were practiced? It seems that some societies did in fact practice some form of sexual conflict resolution, while others practiced conflict of arms. Was that an evolutional turning point? Just some questions to ponder....
Myself, I came to the conclusion that the concept of marriage as we have it originated with the agriculture , as at that time it became important to know that your possessions were going to be inherited by your offspring, independent of reading any scholarly works on the subject. So the idea that early humans lived communally and had sex communally doesn't seem too far fetched.
It is interesting to see that the bonobos engage in sexual practices such as oral sex, anal sex, gay sex, and group sex, as a matter of course. Could this be the way early humans practiced their sexuality? What about pair bonding? If memory serves, from what has been observed in Emperor Penguins, they pair bond for as long as it takes to raise a chick to self-sufficiency. If the egg does not hatch, or the chick dies before then, the bond is dissolved and the two find new mates for the next season, just as when the chick is able to care for itself. Could this be the way early humans pair bonded? Would this explain the "seven year itch"? Or as Dr. Ryan says," An individual male's "parental investment," in other words, tends to be diffuse in societies like those in which we evolved, not directed toward one particular woman -- or harem of women -- and her children, as conventional views of our sexual evolution insist." Could it be that both pair bonding, and communal parenting were practiced? It seems that some societies did in fact practice some form of sexual conflict resolution, while others practiced conflict of arms. Was that an evolutional turning point? Just some questions to ponder....
Myself, I came to the conclusion that the concept of marriage as we have it originated with the agriculture , as at that time it became important to know that your possessions were going to be inherited by your offspring, independent of reading any scholarly works on the subject. So the idea that early humans lived communally and had sex communally doesn't seem too far fetched.