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From: ccb8m@viper.cs.Virginia.EDU (Charles C. Bundy)
Subject: Re: Big Brains and Evolution
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References: <806482865snz@whitestn.demon.co.uk> <DCDy7L.J5t@murdoch.acc.Virginia.EDU> <Pine.ULT.3.91.950727200048.26725A-100000@rac6.wam.umd.edu>
Date: Mon, 7 Aug 1995 16:32:04 GMT
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In article <Pine.ULT.3.91.950727200048.26725A-100000@rac6.wam.umd.edu> Keith Wiley <keithw@wam.umd.edu> writes:
>> Umm w/ the exception of the cheetah and certain horses man is the fastest
>> land animal in the 1/4 mile.  No other land animal can match us over spans
>> longer than 10 miles, but of course most animals like wolves, etc don't
>
>uh, I don't think that's relevant.  In a quarter of a mile lions, 
>gorillas, rinos, hippipotopotpotmases (sp?), and absolutely anything that 
>might threaten an upward postered being will have plenty of time to chase 
>you down and kill you.  The fact that if you had a 5 minute head start 

Unless as an upward postered being you spot them first.  Eyesight is limited
by horizon and blocking obstacles whilst most predators use olfactory
sensors.  I'd say seeing a predator 10 miles away and having the Bigger
Brain(C) to CYA more than makes up for the physical disability.  Then too
the time allowed in the 1/4 mile sprint might give the Bigger Brain(C) time
to formulate an escape plan whilst busily keeping ahead of fang and claw.

>you could stay out of their sprinting range simply doesn't seem important 
>to me.  Natural selection is gonna say being tall and on two feet is a 

See above, time gained most certainly does matter for the Big Brain (tm)
if they plan ahead.  If they don't plan ahead, all the time in the world 
doesn't prevent them from being lunch :)

>problem if you're potential prey.
> 

Charles C. Bundy IV -aka- Potential Prey
ccb8m@preferred.com
