The Lady's Choice

The kind of a mate a woman choses -- does it have any evolutionary consequences? Read on..

The DNA sequence of the chimp (our closet relative) and man have been compared - and as expected (by some) there was very little difference. But it is interesting that there were small differences in the regions responsible for brain activity and sexual development. This was attributed to selective choices made by females -- the brains and balls combination being preferred. Interesting idea, but is there any evidence?

Recently a publication looking at the inheritance of the Y chromosome in neolithic European paternal lineages PLOSBiology, supports the view that 'woman's choice' was a major factor. Here in the words of the author:

"Much debate has focused on the origins of agriculture in Europe some 10,000 years ago, and in particular whether its westerly spread from the Near East was driven by farmers themselves migrating, or by the transmission of ideas and technologies to indigenous hunter-gatherers. This study examines the diversity of the paternally inherited Y chromosome, focusing on the commonest lineage in Europe. The distribution of this lineage, the diversity within it, and estimates of its age all suggest that it spread with farming from the Near East. Taken with evidence on the origins of other lineages, this indicates that most European Y chromosomes descend from Near Eastern farmers. In contrast, most maternal lineages descend from hunter-gatherers, suggesting a reproductive advantage for farming males over indigenous hunter-gatherer males during the cultural transition from hunting-gathering to farming."

Is Sharing like 'Gifting'?

It's not what you give, it's what your gift says about you that counts. (Image: George Eastmant House /Hulton /Getty)

Alan Cann in a recent blog asked the rhetorical question: Why would I want to share? -- it was asked in the educational context of students/academics sharing their work. This reminded me of a NewScientist article by Geoffrey Miller about what really motivates some of us to flash our cash. It would seem this behaviour "is engendered by motives of costly signalling to display our personal qualities to potential mates and other social partners"

Is sharing a 'display' -- like the peacock' tail -- a behaviour shaped over aeons of evolution to attract potential friends and more importantly - mates? Is sharing on Facebook a prime example of this?

Therefore: why would I want to share? To make friends and influence people (make some whuffie) and 'to pull in the birds'.