It's not only individual ancestors in our past that had qualities that helped them survive, but peoples, cultures, and ethnicities.
The lust to conquer and rule others is such a trait (one possessed by certain cultures). You get guys like Genghis Khan who basically seeded half of Asia. But one must also consider Khan's lackeys who are probably well-represented in the gene pool. Then you have to consider those genetic lines that came to an abrupt end because of Khan's rule.
Someone mentioned promiscuity as being "undesirable" but I've always found it to be a very desirable, very "giving" trait. A trait that creates much happiness. Worse is the tendency to rape or steal/create concubines. But these contribute to the proliferation of a gene pool as well as anything else.
Deceptiveness can keep one alive, especially in a pinch. Honesty can lose you your head even more quickly (this was especially true in the ancient world).
And while we're speaking of the ancients, conformity was a key survival apparatus for millions upon millions.
Lack of empathy can allow you to do what needs to be done to survive.
Servility can make a person tolerable to those who might otherwise kill him/her.
The lust to conquer and rule others is such a trait (one possessed by certain cultures). You get guys like Genghis Khan who basically seeded half of Asia. But one must also consider Khan's lackeys who are probably well-represented in the gene pool. Then you have to consider those genetic lines that came to an abrupt end because of Khan's rule.
Someone mentioned promiscuity as being "undesirable" but I've always found it to be a very desirable, very "giving" trait. A trait that creates much happiness. Worse is the tendency to rape or steal/create concubines. But these contribute to the proliferation of a gene pool as well as anything else.
Deceptiveness can keep one alive, especially in a pinch. Honesty can lose you your head even more quickly (this was especially true in the ancient world).
And while we're speaking of the ancients, conformity was a key survival apparatus for millions upon millions.
Lack of empathy can allow you to do what needs to be done to survive.
Servility can make a person tolerable to those who might otherwise kill him/her.
