learned a dexterous, opposable thumb stood among hallmarks human succe — Stephen Jay Gould, Panda’s Thumb: Reflections Natural History

Norway Timelapse
PlayPlay

previous arrow
next arrow
Norway Timelapse
Budapest Timelapse
Iceland Timelapse
Berlin Timelapse
London Timelapse
previous arrow
next arrow

I had learned that a dexterous, opposable thumb stood among the hallmarks of human success. We had maintained, even exaggerated, this important flexibility of our primate forebears, while most mammals had sacrificed it in specializing their digits. Carnivores run, stab, and scratch. My cat may manipulate me psychologically, but he'll never type or play the piano.

Stephen Jay Gould, The Panda's Thumb: More Reflections in Natural History

Related Authors: Stephen Jay Gould | The Panda's Thumb: More Reflections in Natural History

Related Topics: carnivore, cat, evolution, panda, science, thumb

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *