IntenseDebate - Danielle Meitiv

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Hunter-Gatherer Though... · 0 replies · +1 points

The earliest stories in the bible (Abraham - Jacob) seem to describe people or types/archetypes who were likely pastorialists (like Bedouin?). There are a lot of references to cattle and wandering to look for water and grazing lands but little mention of sedentary farming. In fact there seem to be hints of conflicts between farmers and nomads and/or hunters - i.e. the sacrifices of Cain vs Abel and the foods brought and eaten by Jacob vs Esau.

Not until the stories move to Egypt do you start to read about farming or large-scale agriculture (i.e. Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dreams). Of course, when the Israelites return to the land they're all about farming.

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Hunter-Gatherer Though... · 2 replies · +1 points

Looking into pockets of H-G existence in my area and past: Sigh my ancestors were Eastern European Jews who paid homage to bread (literally) and lots of high carb foods. On the plus side they loved animal fat and meat as long as it was kosher/kashered and weren't allowed to own land in many places so they couldn't farm anyway! (How's THAT for finding the silver lining/ lemonade out of lemons?)

I live the DC area so lots of seafood/shellfish-based hunting (gathering?) went on around here as well as some high-carb corn farming.

I never thought of the recent Highlands as a pocket of H-G living - very interesting idea. Would love to hear more about your thoughts and any evidence you've gathered. A future post, perhaps?

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Training for the Unkno... · 0 replies · +1 points

Got your point - and love it. Much thanks as always.

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Rice, Potatoes, Wheat,... · 0 replies · +1 points

I was already with you on the rice and potatoes, but bok choy? Damn! I hope that doesn't mean all Brassicas. I can easily avoid the rapas (turnips and cabbage were never my favorites). But the oleraceas too? I hope not! I love broccoli...

Great article and thanks for pointing out the article. Good material to convince my husband.

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Agriculture Is Imperia... · 0 replies · +1 points

Forsake soy corn and wheat for the sake of the planet? Too late. I had to give them up b/c after being a vegetarian for 24+ years I now have allergies to all three - plus other gluten products, cow's milk and eggs (The only ones I miss are eggs, sigh).

My body rebelled against ag-imperialism before my brain caught up but now we're/I'm all on the same page.

Instead earlier this week I picked up 100 lbs of organic lamb and beef from Wagon Wheel Ranch, just 35 miles from my home. I live in the DC area so it is possible to get the good stuff close to major metro areas.

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Superhuman Tricks: Mam... · 1 reply · +3 points

Or better yet - gravity is only a "theory." You could always go jump off a tall building to test it out.

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Kids' Views on Beauty · 0 replies · +1 points

The Venus of Willendorf probably represents an exaggerated version of pregnant woman, which would explain why she has such enlarged hips, waist and breasts. In that case, she would have represented fecundity without being an ideal for all non-pregnant women.

14 years ago @ Evolvify - Kids' Views on Beauty · 2 replies · +1 points

it's only in fairly recent times that round-bodied = "well-fed" (as in access to food not necessarily healthy). Before that roundness, particularly in the belly area meant serious malnutrition. Not surprising that a preference for slimness would prevail.

Since we evolved way before food hording and surplus were even possible, I can't imagine how else our earliest ancestors could get (or appear to be) fat...

15 years ago @ Evolvify - Dissecting Hidden Obje... · 0 replies · +1 points

The issue is not whether beautiful people mate with beautiful people. High-status people mate with each other. Over time and across societies, the characteristics that convey status might change - i.e. what is considered beautiful, what valuables constitute wealth - but the desire to seek status is constant.

The reason why beautiful women get together with ugly but wealthy men is that in our society (and many many others throughout history) beauty conveys status to women while wealth does the same for men. In societies where intellect and learning were valued (the Soviet Union pre-break-up, Europe Jewish societies pre-20th century), those traits conveyed status on men.

Fair or not, the value of beauty for women is pretty universal, even if the standards are somewhat (but not entirely) flexible.

The flaw in these movies is not that the women go for physically unattractive men, but that they bother with men who are low-status. Why oh why would they do that to their offspring? They wouldn't. But hey, it sells tickets - to low-status guys.

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