'Human evolution didn't slow down; we were just missing the signal': Large DNA study reveals natural selection led to more redheads and less male-pattern baldness

390 points by horseradishstalker a day ago on reddit | 39 comments

FauxShizzle | a day ago

I don't know any serious evolutionary scientist who claimed sexual selection stopped, just that it's disambiguated with other forms of natural selection like survival fitness.

morganational | 8 hours ago

Right? I was like, what the heck are they talking about??

BabyLegsOShanahan | a day ago

This is only in West Eurasia. Hopefully other studies are done for other areas. Only focusing on Eurasia is a disservice.

morganational | 8 hours ago

Most scientific studies these days (at least the ones I find on reddit) are a disservice.

costafilh0 | a day ago

More redheads?

You SOB, I'm in!

Mrslinkydragon | a day ago

Maybe because red heads are hot and balding men are not

jbn07 | a day ago

As a balding read head, I‘m confused

funguyshroom | a day ago

But how come head no longer red??

Mrslinkydragon | a day ago

Me too

morganational | 8 hours ago

Speak for yourse... Oh yeah, good point.

Mrslinkydragon | 6 hours ago

Mate, i get compliments on my hair!

(Although im not a hot redhead, rather a brown/blond guy)

Gonokhakus | a day ago

Good news for ginger lovers and Warhammer 40k Primarchs

Business-Ranger4510 | a day ago

Oh no I’m bald … we are going extinct !!! I think not !!!

GammaDeltaTheta | 8 hours ago

Results a bit less dramatic than the headline might suggest. Over the last 7000 years, 'This is expected to have decreased baldness by 1.8% compared with the no-selection expectation.'

morganational | 8 hours ago

Wait, were there people who thought evolution stopped? Besides creationists of course.

Far-Low-4705 | 7 hours ago

More red heads???

Aha, So my hair isn’t completely unattractive then

Siderophores | a day ago

This was posted literally yesterday

Mods please

[OP] horseradishstalker | a day ago

Well, then mods might need to set up an auto remove for any articles that have been posted in a certain time frame. I’m sure that if you complain loudly enough and long enough, they might do it just for you.

And by the way, not all subs are set up so that the word mod triggers a response. An email sent specifically to the mods is the most efficient way to send a report. Public tantrums are just tacky.

NicholaiJomes | a day ago

Mods plz help idk how to scroll past posts

Mysterious-Jam-64 | a day ago

Also pre-supposes we evolved.

A_Stickperson | a day ago

Describing evolution from evidence over a period of time doesn’t presuppose anything

Mysterious-Jam-64 | 11 hours ago

The article works on the assumption human evolution (from big bang to Netflix) happens.

Nothing to suggest that's the case. Evolution is a theory, and one with very little backing.

elementnix | 8 hours ago

https://ncse.ngo/evolution-fact-and-theory

It is the only theory that fits the evidence. A theory in the case of evolution is the same as the theory of gravity. A scientific theory is not just a hypothesis as you use the word theory, but rather "a well-substantiated, comprehensive explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a body of facts, laws, and tested hypotheses. It is not a guess, but a rigorously tested framework that explains 'why' or 'how' phenomena occur, and it can be used to make accurate predictions."

It behooves you to learn a little bit about nature and science if you want your musings to have any sort of weight behind them.

Mysterious-Jam-64 | 5 hours ago

"I think we’ve underestimated the life on this planet. The people have so much courage. Here they are hurling through space on a molten rock at 67,000 miles an hour and the only thing that keeps them from flying out of their shoes is their misplaced faith in gravity."

elementnix | 5 hours ago

Oh wow, a line from a tv show! So scientific and honest of you!

Mysterious-Jam-64 | 5 hours ago

I don't think I can have an actual conversation with you. I don't imagine you actually carry out science, I think you parrot whatever you're told to.

Is there *anything at all in modern science that you've studied yourself, and changed your mind on?

elementnix | 5 hours ago

Sure, for a long time I believed that punishment as a consequence to criminal behavior was a just way to change behaviors. Now with evidence and many many studies I believe that rehabilitation and various therapies are more effective in reducing recidivism and improving outcomes for society and the criminals themselves.

Mysterious-Jam-64 | 5 hours ago

What theory of modern science encouraged punishment for criminal behaviour?

elementnix | 5 hours ago

The scientific view of punishment comes primarily from behaviorism (B.F. Skinner) and deterrence theory (Cesare Beccaria), both of which rely on the idea that humans are causally responsive systems.

elementnix | a day ago

We have every reason to believe we've evolved and no rational, well-evidenced theories to the contrary.

Mysterious-Jam-64 | 11 hours ago

The burden of proof is on you. Prove I evolved.

I'll wait.

wellhiyabuddy | 12 hours ago

Not believing that evolution is the way humans came to exist on earth, is one thing. Not believing that living creatures are constantly changing and adapting to fit their environment, is an entirely different thing

Mysterious-Jam-64 | 11 hours ago

Agreed. Glad we clarified that. Living organisms adapt to their environment. Fully agree.

One small creature "evolved" into a human, a dog, an anything - rain check.

[OP] horseradishstalker | a day ago

There is always that.

Professional-Thomas | 11 hours ago

Nope.