this post was submitted on 15 Sep 2023
135 points (86.9% liked)

Showerthoughts

30049 readers
637 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
 

I mean why 5, why 5 on each limb, why not 4 or 6. Why do our feet also have 5. Whats with our body being so symmetrical.

People who know anything about evolution, now is your time to shine.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] Atrabiliousaurus 41 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

The wikipedia article Polydactyly in stem-tetrapods has some explanations on how we ended up with 5 fingers and toes.

The gist of it is that tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrate animals) evolved from a fish similar to a lobe-finned fish that had 5 sets of bones in each of its fins that evolved into fingers and toes. Some tetrapods have subsequently lost digits but the basal state was five.

There's a book, Your Inner Fish by Neil Shubin that's full of this kind of stuff. Highly recommend.

[–] scarabic 9 points 1 year ago

I love it. So many things in the world don’t really have an “explanation,” they have a “story.”

The reason they are as they are is just because of prior conditions.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

Amazing book. I recommend reading it if you're interested in evolution.