Parasites and sex

[downbeatplumb]

We are here to open jars.

[Epimethean]

Dildos haven't replaced certain things, either. I've done research on this.

[Anomalocaris]

Technically, two cross-fertilizing female organisms would accomplish double the results.

Which is why it is so important you humans figure out how to do it Cutting down on the male population could only be a good thing

Ah, but with 7 billion humans, we hardly need to double our fertility rate! It would be much better, and much more survival-oriented then if we had a population of about 90% males or infertile beings and maybe 10% or even 5% fertile females.

Actually, history shows a surplus of breeding age males over breeding age females leads to unrest of the type that develops into militarism, expansionism, and other societal behaviors seeks to make up the shortage in females at the expense of neighboring societies. This tends to position the most aggressive society best to outbreed all others. This may be charming when the men of Rome raped the women of Sabine, it would not be charming when there are lots of nuclear weapons around.

You should be scared that in china and India, well over 50% of the under 35 age group consist of males.

[Autumnlicious]

Technically, two organisms that can cross fertilized would be called hermophrodites, not females, and there are many examples of such organisms in different kingdoms of life.

However, there are drawbacks to the hermophrodites solution because that make it difficult for the two collaborating organisms to specialize in roles or pursue different mating strategies.

Interesting. So hermaphrodites appear less frequently for purposes of specialization, possibly forming of social groups? It does make sense that a hermaphrodite group would spend more energy on a wider spread of actions (like breeding, foraging and defense) while the specialized groupings (males, females) can load balance such actions...

You should be scared that in china and India, well over 50% of the under 35 age group consist of males.

I'm tired of being scared. Now I'm just cautious. Those countries have as much of a dagger at their own throats as they at us -- if they neglect their population, it can turn on them; that is why Tienanmen was so terrifying to the Communists when people began to converge on it and why they worked to erase it from their very history.

[Shell B]

Sorry, I thought this thread was about my ex's sex life.

A few good points have been made here. Familial and social functions are somewhat offshoots of the mating function. What males contribute to reproduction says little of what they contribute to the species. To say that females procreating without males is a positive is to look at reproduction as the sole function of human beings. Sure, some species just reproduce and die. Human beings are too long-lived for that. Besides, sex is fun.

As for females reproducing faster without males, that is definitely not a good thing.

[Anomalocaris]

Interesting. So hermaphrodites appear less frequently for purposes of specialization, possibly forming of social groups? It does make sense that a hermaphrodite group would spend more energy on a wider spread of actions (like breeding, foraging and defense) while the specialized groupings (males, females) can load balance such actions...

Yes. In addition, hermophrodites also suffer from risk of self-fertilization, sort of incest and masturbation in the same act, which defeats the biological purpose of fertilization.

[Epimethean]

Holy shit, that would make being a Mormon masturbator both a sin and a success!

[Violet]

Perhaps you are only that from an evolutionary point of view, but imagine a world without men.. The only reason I'm not in a relationship with a woman is because I couldn't stand the nagging and constant talk about emotions all the time. Men are fantastic creatures, be proud!

What she means is that you are boring as all hell. When I get together with another woman: we naturally chat and have a good time. When I get together with a man: it feels like every word out of them is forced and they try to rain on my parade.

Ah, but with 7 billion humans, we hardly need to double our fertility rate! It would be much better, and much more survival-oriented then if we had a population of about 90% males or infertile beings and maybe 10% or even 5% fertile females.

From an evolutionary standpoint... the very best answer is to starve out all of the weaker beings. The question of survival is one of 'what will survive', not one of 'will something survive'.

---

If you like to enjoy impotence as well as yeast infection, then I say you've got the makings hermophrodites.

Funny, but not how my mind works, Chuck. I think it would truly be fascinating for complete female-female reproduction. And no: I'm not about to tell you any uses of my imagination which have done this. Do it yourself. And stop masturbating This is a serious scientific endeavor for the good of your species!!!

---

We are here to open jars.

Luckily, my sister can do that for me.

Think about it this way: bears maul you.

My sister mauls packs of bears.

And then drowns their corpses.

In Ragu.

---

Interesting. So hermaphrodites appear less frequently for purposes of specialization, possibly forming of social groups? It does make sense that a hermaphrodite group would spend more energy on a wider spread of actions (like breeding, foraging and defense) while the specialized groupings (males, females) can load balance such actions...

Yes. In addition, hermophrodites also suffer from risk of self-fertilization, sort of incest and masturbation in the same act, which defeats the biological purpose of fertilization.

Which is also incredibly sexy. Not so much as gay twincest... but sexy nonetheless