As IF Times

link Obesity? Big Feet? Blame Darwin – WSJ.com.

In my opinion, an interesting article on some theories of human evolution.  Most of the discussion is about physical transformations and adaptations, but little is said about mental development.  If you had to guess, based on some of the theories put forth in the article, much of our thought processes must be linked somehow to tribal instincts as well.

Consider the propensity for people to rally around “heroes” in any field, be it entertainment, sports or politics.  There seems to be a natural urge to follow behind some figurehead, many of whom if analyzed logically, would be irrational choices.  Maybe there is some primitive urge on the part of people to coalesce as a tribal unit that’s at play here.  It may go a long way to explain some of the absurdities of some of today’s modern “heroes”.  There is of course the more simpler explanation that we gravitate to and support people who most resemble ourselves or aspired image of selves.  

While this may be valid for sports figures, it’s hard to stretch this explanation to cover political figures, especially with the dismal records most have.  Really, John Edwards aspirants? In the case of Barack Obama, one could argue his “differentness” attracted support among visible minorities.  If such is the case, why wouldn’t  non minorities vote for exclusively for the white guy?  Clearly in politics, “sameness” may not be the uniting glue of support.  Economics and quid pro quo may be  more determining factors. 

Is delusion a part of human evolution?  Do people suspend their individual power of reasoning against all evidence to support a tribal leader? In earlier times, maybe, since information would be harder to obtain than in our modern times.  Presumably, anyone now can get access to the facts on any issue and come to a rational conclusion, yet there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.  An obvious example is the state of pensions in the United States, or perhaps for that matter, in Canada.  When the numbers are crunched, there is no possible way that public pensions will be able to pay out monies owed to beneficiaries when the time comes.  Yet, people willfully support candidates that tell them otherwise.  On the one hand, theory of evolution says that organisms will adapt for survival, but in the example just mentioned, people are consciously ignoring a fatal conclusion.  Maybe somewhere in the gene pool, some lemming DNA got thrown into the mix.

Modern western society may celebrate the individual in advertising and culture, but really, it appears as if we can’t really escape our evolutionary pull.  Groupthink is still in the genes.

link Sky Blu of LMFAO claims Mitt Romney got physical first on flight from Vancouver.

Hmm.  Who’s version of the incident to believe? A 62 year old former candidate for president of the United States.  Or a 20 something artiste of rapper renown.  A senior travelling with his wife or a guy who’s claim to fame is the smash hit, “I’m in miami bitch”?  Who to believe…

The talented lead of the wittily named band, LMFAO apparently was in the talon-like vulcan grip of the 62 year old Romney, so naturally, he had to defend his’self er, himself.   Hopefully this is a lesson to all 60 plus seniors not to act so aggressively towards younger citizens.  For far too long, youth have been bullied by this generation with their aggressive opera music and intimidating swagger.  For too long, seniors have been wreaking havoc by running large corporations, creating jobs and building industries.  Next thing you know, they’ll be running governments and steering the nation.  This kind of reprehensible behavior cannot be condoned by rap youth who only wish to peacefully spread their misogynistic and violent ballads. 

Kudos to the likes of Sky Blu for ‘sticking it to the man’.  With all the repression and intimidation faced by his generation every day, it’s a wonder they have time to pen such mellifluous music.  Hopefully they can influence everyone to forgo striving for a useful life and instead choose the more culturally desirable path of drugs, violence and of course illiteracy.  Meanwhile, the seniors  had better watch out.