@super_tramp_tri @jodiejones12 @Zorine @Mr_Mark_Legion I'm definitely not brave either. I'd get scared (and apprehensive) playing DayZ and that is most certainly not that scary of a game :/.
@jwsoul @digitalaffect Mmm, just want to add that natural selection is not the only way in which individuals are selected for. You mention that this is a check for finding a mate and removing the weak. Correct me if I am wrong, but I am interpreting your sentence as meaning that individuals select mates based on the 'strength' (though you could be talking about both selection for 'strength' and similarities based on your last sentence).
Another very important form of selection, which I believe was also heavily noted by Darwin, was the idea of sexual selection. This is where mates actively select for partners based on some physical (body, movements, food, etc.) display. Very frequently this is done through the physical qualities of an animal, such as it's colour, shape, or the impressiveness of some feature. While these are often linked to physical health, they aren't always as intuitive.
For example, one particular species of hummingbird has adapted over time as a result of sexual selection. Males of this species have developed extraordinarily ludicrous tail feathers, so much so that they actually impair the individuals capabilities to sustain flight. Yet these feathers are integral to the males mating dance, which needs to be impressive enough for a female to agree to mate.
While males who can survive with this feature may be physically strong, it ultimately would also considerably hamper their ability to survive. Therefore, in a sense, an individual with a feature that would impair survivourship actually mates more successfully, as it is attractive to the opposite sex.
Well that took a darker turn towards the end. I hate to think that humans would inherently enjoy the misfortune of others, but I myself can think of times when people, including myself, have giggle or laughed when someone say stubbed their toe or slipped. It isn't a stretch to expand this to a larger scale of misfortune either. Perhaps humans really are as sadistic as some believe, or perhaps it is a trait that is present in many other organisms with developed cerebrums.
Watching this at 5:30 in the morning Atlantic time, and I greatly enjoyed the fact that Microsoft put an Xbox One in an aquarium filled with sharks in New Zealand. Mostly because it put a smile on my face over how ludicrous it was. That and because it's New Zealand.
Also, Jess, sharks are beautiful creatures that come in a variety of forms, from the awe inspiring Great White to the huge yet docile Whale Shark. I can't wait for the chance to grab hold of a Spiny Dogfish and have it try to bite my arm :D.
Great topic Cam, definitely a pertinent one in our community. I'm not sure that showing people's faces is the correct solution, though I admit it may help in some regards.
One negative it might have is that it would make negative interactions even worse. If an individual still lacks empathy to an individual he/she can see, then they will be abusive anyways. Being able to see someone actively abusing you would probably make you feel even worse than just having a disembodied entity doing it. Furthermore, some individuals would be encouraged by seeing the negative reaction of their victim, acting as a positive feedback for their behaviour.
In regards to the first paper cited, it sounded like it had some interesting ideas. I'm assuming most of it was conjectural in nature? That would make sense if they were hypotheses (that were untested). However, if there was supporting material the author cited or if they did tests that'd be great to know.
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