[ExI] Singularity was EP, was Margaret Mead controversy

[The Avantguardian]

>
>From: Dave Sill <sparge at gmail.com>
>To: ExI chat list <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>
>Sent: Thu, November 11, 2010 10:22:50 AM
>Subject: Re: [ExI] Singularity was EP, was Margaret Mead controversy
>
>
>On Thu, Nov 11, 2010 at 12:59 PM, Keith Henson <hkeithhenson at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>Same place as everything else, evolution, selection of genes in the
>>past.
>
>What's the evolutionary/genetic explanation for homosexuality?

I don't believe exclusively in genetic determinism but genes are obviously a 
very powerful 

driver of behavior. Things like culture, advertising, conditioning, rationality, 

and other psychosocial forces can demonstrably override genetic behavior in many 

instances. But homosexuality is not a good example of nurture over nature. In 
fact, nature is full of homosexuality so the answer to your question depends on 
the species you are talking about.

In fruit flies, it seems to be due to a mutation of the gene which allows a male 

fruit fly to distinguish females from other males. In Black Swans, it seems to 
be a survival adaption because two males can defend a nest/chicks better than a 
heterosexual pair so they chase the female out after she has laid her 
eggs. In elephants, it seems to be a form of pederasty. In bonobos, it seems to 
be a primitive form of economics to diffuse 

conflict and minimize violence. Dolphins seem to do it because they are just 
plain horny. Heck dolphins don't even limit sexual activity to their own species 
and 

are probably the only animal that practices "nasal sex" by penetrating the 
blowholes of their own and other species.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homosexual_behavior_in_animals#cite_ref-ReferenceA_0-0

 
Stuart LaForge 

“To be normal is the ideal aim of the unsuccessful.” -Carl Jung