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Comment by dismalaf

18 hours ago

> Being perhaps a little smarter doesn't mean you win the evolutionary game. There are so many factors at play.

Considering most human groups have a % of Neanderthal DNA, they didn't exactly lose... Based on the % of Neanderthal vs. Sapien DNA, it seems Neanderthals were simply outnumbered.

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dismalaf

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hrimfaxi  16 hours ago

What does it mean to lose evolutionarily if not be outnumbered?

  • dismalaf  15 hours ago

    Are numbers everything? Are sardines more evolved than whales?

    Anyhow, the traditional view is that Neanderthals were brutes who were actually out-competed and killed off by Sapiens. The more realistic view considering the evidence is that Neanderthals were much closer to Sapiens, equally or even more sophisticated, but less numerous, and thus their contribution to our DNA is smaller than Sapiens.

    But do keep in mind the Neanderthals live on because Europeans and Asians are all part Neanderthal.

    • peyton  13 hours ago

      I think especially given TFA and our inferred history with them that they were terrifying apex predators who occasionally raped human women.

      I don’t much believe the friendly smiling museum depictions that have lately become fashionable. Their eyes alone would have made them something you didn’t want to run into at night.

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