On Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:21:27 -0500, <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>> As to the "fruit in winter" issue, remember that modern humans first
>> appeared in Africa, in tropical climates.  Winter wasn't the issue it is
>> in temperate climates, and there was fruit (and eggs and insects) all
>> year.
>
> No, this isn't right.  The generally accepted view is that during a cycle
> of global cooling, the tropical forests shrank, and some apes or apelike
> hominids living near the fringe of the forest were forced out into the
> grasslands, and had to make a living there.  *They*, not the ones who
> stayed in the forests, became our ancestors.

Interesting.  (I knew we came from the forest, but didn't realize we were  
forced out.)  Before being forced out, though, my comment still seems  
valid.  (Of course I guess it just depends how far back you want to go.  
You could argue most anything if you go back far enough.)

> In our world, where fruit and its
> metabolic cognates (sugary foods and refined carbs) are constantly
> available in overwhelming abundance and at low cost, it doesn't work so
> well.

By "low cost", I presume you mean in the sense of the energy we must  
expend to get it?  If we had to burn 90 calories climbing a tree to get a  
100 calorie apple (or snickers bar or whatever), it might be different.   
(I have no idea how many calories it takes to climb a tree, it's just an  
example.)

--
   Robert Kesterson
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