Science & Technology

Documentary: The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis

BBC
Sun, 29 Jan 2012 10:32 UTC

A BBC documentary based on the book The Aquatic Ape by author Elaine Morgan. This hypothesis was first proposed by biologist Alister Hardy and is an alternative human origin theory.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Reader Comments

Eamon · 2012-01-29T11:53:03Z

If the theory of evolution is...

...supported by "lots of evidence" and already proved to be true -- as many wrongly-yet-passionately believe -- why is anyone still coming up with ever-more-outlandish ideas to "prove" it? When men refuse to believe the truth, they will believe anything.

Luke · 2012-01-29T12:37:46Z

I used to think this theory was right compared to normal Darwinian Savannah evolution... I no longer think any of them right anymore... Man couldn't have evolved in the savanna because it ts to much of a harsh environment with all the predators and lack of tree cover... So bye bye Darwin...

Whilst reading about the aquatic theory I came across a flaw mentioned by a researcher based on the assumption that nature doesn't tolerate mistakes.... A species must be perfectly adapted to its environment or it'll lose out and become extinct.. So aquatic theory fails to account for a problem we have with water getting into out ears...

[Link]
"Surfer's ear is the common name for an exostosis or abnormal bone growth within the ear canal. Surfer's ear is not the same as swimmer's ear, although infection can result as a side effect.
Irritation from cold wind and water exposure causes the bone surrounding the ear canal to develop lumps of new bony growth which constrict the ear canal. The condition is so named due to its prevalence among cold water surfers. Cold water surfers experience surfer's ear at about six times the rate of warm water surfers.
The condition is not limited to surfing and can occur in any activity with cold, wet, windy conditions such as kayaking, sailing, jet skiing, and diving. Most avid surfers have at least some mild bone growths (exostoses), causing little to no problems.[1] The condition is progressive, making it important to take preventative measures early, preferably whenever surfing."

"In general one ear will be somewhat worse than the other due to the prevailing wind direction of the area surfed[3] or the side that most often strikes the wave first.
Decreased hearing or hearing loss, temporary or ongoing
Increased prevalence of ear infections, causing ear pain
Difficulty evacuating debris or water from the ear causing a plugging sensation"

I won't even bother going into swimmers ear which is more disgusting... But here is a pertinent quote

[Link]
"Another causative factor for acute infection is prolonged water exposure in the forms of swimming or exposure to extreme humidity, which can compromise the protective barrier function of the canal skin, allowing bacteria to flourish; hence the name, "swimmer's ear"."

In short clearly our ears weren't built to stay in water where its prone to get infection after infection... Thus a hole in aquatic ape theory.

Personally now I BELIEVE(because it makes the most sense) in spontaneous evolution. A species appears fully adapted and in balance to its current environment and the process is instant, not millions of years... Some researchers have done work into this and to me there arguments are the most compelling but they can't come up against the Darwinist's, creationists, or even aquatic ape theorists because there arguments requires a radical way of looking at the world...

Eamon · 2012-01-29T13:37:03Z

Has anyone ever...

...observed a single example of "spontaneous evolution" on the macro scale? No. The above-mentioned 'way of looking at the world' is only "radical" in that it requires setting aside our intellects, all known laws of science, and every single thing that has actually been experienced. I hope you understand I mean no offense, but such an idea has absolutely nothing to support it and everything positively and solidly against it.

Luke · 2012-01-29T13:52:15Z

Fair point but I counter your argument with "no one has ever observed the emergence of a new species either." Not in a lab, not in nature....

dixie_normous · 2012-01-30T01:09:22Z

We witness spontaneous evolution all the time; and "with the most evolved beings on the planet"...us. Call it conditioning, training etc. but it is all the same-evolution. We can manipulate the rate of evolution, and if you don't know how, start learning.

Eamon · 2012-02-01T19:24:05Z

No argument from me...

Luke,

There is no sting in your counter-argument, at least not in my case, because evolution, on a macro scale, has never occurred. If anything, we have slowly but steadily been losing species, not gaining them.

dixie,

What you are referring to is the development, maturation, and training of certain already-possessed faculties -- which has absolutely nothing to do with evolution, as the term is normally used. Sure, we can agree to make the term more flexible, even if only for one discussion, but that does not change its meaning as used within the scientific community or society at large. What is more, humans do not acquire knowledge or experience in a manner that could ever be styled "spontaneous." We develop and learn over time; many of us do not seem to ever learn certain things, despite boatloads of experiential lessons.

Peace to both of you and thank you for your comments. Godspeed.

marc verhaegen · 2014-01-18T10:24:27Z

Littoral Homo, no Aquatic Ape

For un update, see my paper
"The aquatic ape evolves: common misconceptions and unproven assumptions about the so-called Aquatic Ape Hypothesis"
Hum.Evol.28:237-266, 2013.
Contact me at m_verhaegen at skylet.be
or google
-econiche Homo
-Greg Laden Verhaegen
-Rhys Evans Vaneechoutte

[Link] am reminded of this phrase; Believe Those Who Are Seeking the Truth; Doubt Those Who Find It Václav Havel? André Gide? François Truffaut?...

Joan

❤️❤️❤️🍿😁 Thanks for this! Haven't finished watching yet, but this is super cool! 😎

slbeaudry

The NWO wants us hoi polloi to stop breeding so they want to convince people who can give birth to become 'men' and those who cannot give birth to...

Peter Jennings

Yep, that's all correct. Favorite interview.

hobnob

Has anyone heard anything about HAARP creating a lot of these auroras?

ReRan

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Documentary: The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis

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