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Humans may have come close to extinction about 70,000 years ago, according to the latest genetic research.

The study suggests that at one point there may have been only 2,000 individuals alive as our species teetered on the brink.

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BBC

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Unlike our close genetic relatives - chimps - all humans have virtually identical DNA. In fact, one group of chimps can have more genetic diversity than all of the six billion humans alive today.

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i'm sure nobody would have missed us.

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Oh, somewhere, sometime there would have been a beetle larva trying desperately to avoid the probing of an ivory-billed woodpecker and thinking, "I kinda miss them wacky hairless apes."

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A recent local study indicates there is less genetic diversity the further EOA one is. In fact, East of Highbury, there's no genetic diversity at all.

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Hey! I resemble that remark.

Ed: I mean, I resent that remark.

[ 10 June 2003: Message edited by: Flowers By Irene ]

but we digress.

Actually, while there are many species that have not done so well adjusting to us, there are also many that have done well.

Either way, we've been noticed, and in the game of evolution the only thing worse than being noticed, is not being noticed.

Anyone notice any mastadons lately?

Edited to the correct link.

[ 11 June 2003: Message edited by: JimmyBrogan ]

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Actually, I've been having a good time pointing out to Rebecca how WOA Londoners routinely fail the four way stop I.Q. test, and how they really don't merit all those railway underpasses/overpasses and such.

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Mr. White said two of the skulls appear to have been scraped clean of flesh, suggesting an ancient mortuary practice, or possibly cannibalism.

Scattered across the same area were thousands of stone tools, including hand axes, along with the butchered bones of hippopotamus and antelope.

Mr. White said the site, once the lush shoreline of a large lake, was probably a seasonal foraging ground for the humans.

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Good science; it raises as many or more questions than it answers.

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However, a survey of Tommy's driving behavior should note that his incidents of road rage occur equally EOA and WOA. The logical conclusion is that Tommy is constructing a spurious class argument for driving ability, and all Londoners are equally crappy drivers, regardless of where they drive, and should take lessons from people who used to live in Toronto, where driving is really complicated.

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Not at all. The drivers who try my patience EOA are WOA drivers on their way home or going to work, or looking for a Tim Horton's drive through so they can order sandwiches, then change their mind, and order something else at the window, then argue about the change they get.

Spurious, HA!

[ 12 June 2003: Message edited by: TommyPaineatWork ]