The Drunken Monkey Hypothesis, did booze bring civilization?

[Turn2]

Humans and some other great apes share an unusual adaptation: They can metabolize ethyl alcohol – the intoxicating ingredient in beer, wine and cocktail spirits – 40 times more efficiently than other primates.

This genetic change – called the A294V mutation by scientists – gave the last common ancestor of African apes and humans two things: the ability to consume fermented fruits, and a reason to gather in large groups in a relaxed atmosphere. That’s the conclusion of a recently published paper by researchers from the University of St Andrews and Dartmouth College.

| EarthSky

earthsky.org

Did alcohol give humans an evolutionary advantage?

Why is the consumption of alcohol such a natural occurrence across human cultures? Did it give humans an evolutionary advantage early on?

www.earth.com

 

[Cyclones_R_GR8]

I'll drink to that

 

[cedarstrip]

Drinking makes us smarter!

 

[pourcyne]

I would buy that except that alcohol can make some primates aggressive.

If alcohol had really made all of our ancestors chill, there would be no bar fights or DUI's today.

Nor rugby.

 

[Turn2]

Drinking makes us smarter!

No, it makes you social. More monkeys make you smarter.

 

[JP4CY]

No, it makes you social. More monkeys make you smarter.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

I've seen similar thoughts on psychedelic mushrooms.

 

[NorthCyd]

 

[MeanDean]

Do you need opposable thumbs to hold a bottle of beer?

 

[AuH2O]

There’s probably a relevant clip in peak Simpson years for about every topic.

 

[Clonehomer]

Do you need opposable thumbs to hold a bottle of beer?

The shape of the bottle would have just been different without. There’s no way humans would have let a thing like no opposing thumbs keep us from booze.

 

[baller21]

The shape of the bottle would have just been different without. There’s no way humans would have let a thing like no opposing thumbs keep us from booze.

We solved that problem years ago.

 

[Gonzo]

 

[cycloneworld]

Don’t post this in the Jamie Pollard slobs thread…some people will meltdown that all of civilization are alcoholics.

 

[Letterkenny]

I've seen similar thoughts on psychedelic mushrooms.

Stoned Ape Theory. Now the Drunk Ape Theory. Turns out our ancestors were running around buzzed 24/7.

 

[BWRhasnoAC]

Stoned Ape Theory. Now the Drunk Ape Theory. Turns out our ancestors were running around buzzed 24/7.

Not much has changed.

 

[pourcyne]

Do you need opposable thumbs to hold a bottle of beer?

Nope.