On Sun, 22 Oct 2000 09:54:45 -0400, Philip Thrift <[log in to unmask]> wrote: I wrote: >>Could you point out *which* food, in your opinion, was causing the brain >>enlargement of Lucy towards homo erectus (3-4-fold)? Philip: >Brains enlarged in the Homo species giving selective advantage to those >who could more successfully hunt (requiring planning, coordination, >and accurate throwing ability). We are stuck with this brain >maybe for several 10's of thousands of years more (unless we mess >with our genetic code) whether we eat meat or not. It is your choice >how to nourish your neurons. Philip, you forgot to mention which *food* may have caused brain enlargement persisting "whether we eat meat or not". Your presumption was, that it was the challenge to hunt successfully which *caused* the brain enlargement. I would assume that increased brain capacity would be of advantage for most actions of humans. Planning to hunt..ok. Likewise remembering gathering locations, water places and properties of food items. Managing to not be eaten.. IMO most promising and with big selective effect. However I can't see that most successful hunters like lions and other cats encountered a 4-fold brain enlargement after switching to be carnivore. Actually i heard that skinned cats are hard to distinguish from skinned rabbits, when without tail. Your "throwing" article I found well written and interesting. I found myself thinking that the challenge of hunting in this time would be interesting (of course others would have to eat what i hunted ;-). Many nerves (and sending neurons on the upper end) are of advantage when in skillful movements. E.g. for piano players this is what makes it possible. Of the article one detail did not match my experience: Thrown hand axes should manage to injure and/or throw down a big animal? Maybe a little far fetched? In my archeology study i had the opportunity to have such a real paleo-time hand axe in my hand. It was... nice - patinated and all.... bit *very* small and lightweight. I would better not thow such a thing onto any animal which could get angry. Cheers, Amadeus