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6
9
yes no
Debate Score:15
Arguments:13
Total Votes:15
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 yes (6)
 
 no (7)

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feelingtruth(2776) pic



the aquatic ape theory

I just ran across this theory, and it actually makes alot of sense. Based on the hypothesis, this would explain why we lost our hair as apes, why we have subcontaneous fat, which insulates whales and dolphins and other animals, we have an instinct to swim, apes that moved near the water would have learned to walk upright in the shallow water and bring that back to land, humans can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes... are aquatic apes/mermaids the missing link in our evolutionary timeline??

yes

Side Score: 6
VS.

no

Side Score: 9

It is possible regarding the evolution of apes, but man could have evolved from other animal species.

Side: yes
3 points

There's simply no need to believe in it. There is no missing link, unless you class every single unfilled branch of the evolutionary tree a missing link.

We have ample evidence to show that our ancestors lived in East Africa in a warm climate, certainly not aquatic. There's an article here: http://media.caltech.edu/press_releases/ 13353

Aquatic ape theory is a hypothesis of denial, and doesn't substantiate itself in any way. It is no surprise then that the scientific community has paid little attention to it.

Side: no
1 point

Pretty much this.

It's interesting to think about, but only for a second. It's extremely unlikely that this hypothesis NOT theory is true.

It is interesting though, but no, not realistic. No fossil evidence supports it.

However, it is true that we are certainly "aquatic" not in the way dolphins or fish are, but humans are generally better at swimming than many land animals.

Side: no
1 point

a hypothesis of denial? what? you dont think its possible at all some monkeys decided to live near the water and adapted to an aquatic environment? i dont really see how that is denial... and there are no fossils because its in the water... it does substanitate itself, you just scoff at "mermaids" but we arent talking mythical creatures we are talking about change and adaptation, what evolution is all about.... denial....

Side: yes
1 point

So credulous. There's nothing more to say.

Side: no
1 point

all im saying, is that its possible, do i believe we evovled from mermaids, no, but it really isnt that farfetched, you just dont have an open mind, its actually extremely logical, credible? no logical? ya, its really logical, im not saying they breathed underwater and lived underwater, im saying they ADAPTED TO WATER

Side: yes
nummi(1432) Disputed
1 point

all im saying, is that its possible, do i believe we evovled from mermaids, no, but it really isnt that farfetched,

Just because something is possible doesn't mean it is real.

It is very far fetched.

you just dont have an open mind,

I have an open mind, I simply don't take everything I read as true, especially if that something is nonsense. I first think logically, rationally and objectively.

its actually extremely logical,

It certainly is not extremely logical.

ya, its really logical, im not saying they breathed underwater and lived underwater, im saying they ADAPTED TO WATER

We are currently adapted to water - we use water and what it provides, have done that for thousands of years. The extent to which we can naturally use water has never been more than it presently is. If not able to breathe underwater and live underwater then what would be the point of evolving in that direction? It would be disadvantageous - you wouldn't be strong on land and you would be weak in water. Conclusion - extinction. Yet we are alive, meaning this aquatic ape thing is nonsense.

If you aren't talking about breathing underwater and even living underwater then what are you talking about?

Side: no

if you think its impossible for a species to adapt to an aquatic environment from a terrestrial environment, well idk...

Side: no
Emperor(1348) Disputed
1 point

Well, of course it's possible. But that doesn't mean it happened.

Dolphins must have evolved on land, but shortly after returned to the sea. That is likely the only form of "aquatic ape", in that dolphins are intelligent, as humans are, just a bit less so.

Humans descended from the trees, not from the water. Interesting idea, but not true, I don't think.

Side: yes

No. Acquatic apes are no the missing link in evolutionary theory.

Side: no