#biology #evolution #humans Created at 2023-01-16 # [Anonymous feedback](https://www.admonymous.co/louis030195) # [[Epistemic status]] #shower-thought Last modified date: 2023-01-16 Commit: 0 # Related - [[Biology/Evolution/The Victory Of Man At Nature's Game]] - [[Biology/Evolution/Homo Sapiens]] - [[Biology/Evolution/Humans are pretty good at human games]] - [[Biology/Eugenics]] - [[Biology/Evolution/Monkey brain/Why women care more for prettiness]] - [[Dunbar number]] # TODO > [!TODO] TODO # The most important mysteries of human evolutions - Big brains: Humans have significantly larger brains than other species. - Upright posture: Humans are bipedal and walk on two feet. - Concealed ovulations: Humans do not display outward signs of ovulation. - Penchant for recreational sex: Humans engage in sexual activities for fun, rather than solely for reproduction. - Female menopause: Females experience a decrease in fertility in their later years. This is what differenciates humans from other species. ## Evolutionary theories explaining these effects ### Big brains The evolution of larger brains in humans is thought to be the result of the increased complexity of social interactions. Humans living in larger, more complex societies needed to be able to understand and navigate these complex social relationships. This required larger brains to process and comprehend the many social interactions that were taking place. ### Upright posture Upright posture is thought to have evolved as an adaptation to an increasingly arboreal lifestyle. Early hominids began to spend more time in trees and needed to be able to move around more easily. This eventually led to the evolution of an upright posture that allowed them to move quickly and efficiently. ### Concealed ovulation Concealed ovulation is thought to have evolved as an adaptation to the increase in pair bonding in humans. By concealing ovulation, females were able to reduce the risk of infanticide or abandonment by the male partner, as he would not be able to easily tell when she was fertile. ### Penchant for recreational sex The evolution of recreational sex is thought to be an adaptation to pair bonding. By engaging in sexual activities for pleasure, couples were able to deepen their bonds and increase their chances of maintaining the relationship. ### Female menopause Female menopause is thought to be an adaptation to reduce competition between mothers and daughters. By decreasing fertility in later years, mothers could focus their energy and resources on their existing children, reducing the chances of their daughters competing for resources.