Symmetry
Mr. Tyler from Los Angeles, CA writes:
" dear ninny,
i understand that human beings (and most other earth animals?) are not perfectly split down the middle: we have certain internal organs positioned on one side or the other, fingerprints and moles don't match up, our hair grows in a spiral, etc. but for the most part, why did homo sapiens, other mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and even insects evolve to be so symmetrical?"
An excellent question Mr. Tyler. Symmetry is a tricky business. Any tattoo artist will tell you that, while the human body may appear to be farely symmetrical, it really isn't. various sides of the body are larger, longer, fatter, thinner, harrier, etc.... However, the overall appearance is symmetrical (unless you're a peg-legged, eyepatch wearing pirate, in which case you have depth perception issues and should consider retiring and becoming a stenographer). The reason for our apparent symmetry is this:
As life has evolved on our little blue basketball certain things have taken precedence. Finding food, procreating, and defending oneself from predators. Aside from that, life is pretty damn pointless until you reach consciouness, and then you can ponder the meaning of life, the universe, and everything (which is 42 for those of you who don't know), whether or not it's really that bad to wear a black belt with brown shoes, and wonder why people waste their money on vomitous images created by Thomas Kinkade (the answer to that is: Their stupid and have bad taste). However, to our knowledge (which is vastly limited) humans are the only species capable of conscious pondering. This leads us back to Mr. Tyler's question regarding symmetry. What's the point? Well, there is none. I'm sure that some scientists, physicists, and theologins will disagree with me on this, but I'm pretty certain. Symmetry is just another tidbit that has evolved out of species boredom. Long ago when amino acids joined up and created life those little protozoa floated about in muck doing pretty much nothing. When they joined up and made multicelled species those species rebelled. They said "Hey! Screw you asymmetrical single celled ancestors! We've got the power of numbers on our side and we're going even-steven! What you see on one side, you'll see on the other! So there! Stick that in your protoplasm and absorb it."
After that it became the cool trend in evolution to have equal (or mostly equal) sides. Evolution is a bit staunchy in it's aesthetic and feels that balance must be maintained in a species form. It's so big on this infact that when plant life sided with the single celled organisms and went the assymetrical route 'ol Evolution got pissed. It gave vegitation the big developmental finger and denied it the right of locomotion. Hence why trees get stuck where they're planted and we can move about them on our handy arms and legs (or bellies if you happen to be a snail, slug, or snake). So next time you come across a particularly smug looking Elm you can walk right up to it, look it straight in the bark and say "Screw you Mr. I don't want to be symmetrical. I've got equal parts on the outside! Evolution likes me more! Nyah! (that's when you stick your tongue out and extend your middle finger, squinting your eyes is helpful as well)."
And that's the deal with symmetry. Oh, if you're wondering about those fish who's eyes migrate across their heads as they settle into a life of bottom sitting? Well, turns out that as they rebelled from the symmetrical preference of 'ol Evolution, they were relegated to a stationary life on the floor of whatever lake, ocean, stream, or bog they happened to be in at the time. You see Evolution is quite clear on this: either it's symmetry, or it's stationary.
On the bright side, just because we happen to be symmetrical-ish, doesn't mean we have to fully adhere to the principle. I happen to be fond of several asymmetrical things including art, architecture, plants, and the occasional edgy hair style. Thanks for asking Mr. Tyler.
If you have a question or even a comment for Ninny, go ahead and click the Comment Link below. A lovely box will appear for you to type away your inquiry. So go ahead. Ask. Ninny knows.
" dear ninny,
i understand that human beings (and most other earth animals?) are not perfectly split down the middle: we have certain internal organs positioned on one side or the other, fingerprints and moles don't match up, our hair grows in a spiral, etc. but for the most part, why did homo sapiens, other mammals, reptiles, fish, birds and even insects evolve to be so symmetrical?"
An excellent question Mr. Tyler. Symmetry is a tricky business. Any tattoo artist will tell you that, while the human body may appear to be farely symmetrical, it really isn't. various sides of the body are larger, longer, fatter, thinner, harrier, etc.... However, the overall appearance is symmetrical (unless you're a peg-legged, eyepatch wearing pirate, in which case you have depth perception issues and should consider retiring and becoming a stenographer). The reason for our apparent symmetry is this:
As life has evolved on our little blue basketball certain things have taken precedence. Finding food, procreating, and defending oneself from predators. Aside from that, life is pretty damn pointless until you reach consciouness, and then you can ponder the meaning of life, the universe, and everything (which is 42 for those of you who don't know), whether or not it's really that bad to wear a black belt with brown shoes, and wonder why people waste their money on vomitous images created by Thomas Kinkade (the answer to that is: Their stupid and have bad taste). However, to our knowledge (which is vastly limited) humans are the only species capable of conscious pondering. This leads us back to Mr. Tyler's question regarding symmetry. What's the point? Well, there is none. I'm sure that some scientists, physicists, and theologins will disagree with me on this, but I'm pretty certain. Symmetry is just another tidbit that has evolved out of species boredom. Long ago when amino acids joined up and created life those little protozoa floated about in muck doing pretty much nothing. When they joined up and made multicelled species those species rebelled. They said "Hey! Screw you asymmetrical single celled ancestors! We've got the power of numbers on our side and we're going even-steven! What you see on one side, you'll see on the other! So there! Stick that in your protoplasm and absorb it."
After that it became the cool trend in evolution to have equal (or mostly equal) sides. Evolution is a bit staunchy in it's aesthetic and feels that balance must be maintained in a species form. It's so big on this infact that when plant life sided with the single celled organisms and went the assymetrical route 'ol Evolution got pissed. It gave vegitation the big developmental finger and denied it the right of locomotion. Hence why trees get stuck where they're planted and we can move about them on our handy arms and legs (or bellies if you happen to be a snail, slug, or snake). So next time you come across a particularly smug looking Elm you can walk right up to it, look it straight in the bark and say "Screw you Mr. I don't want to be symmetrical. I've got equal parts on the outside! Evolution likes me more! Nyah! (that's when you stick your tongue out and extend your middle finger, squinting your eyes is helpful as well)."
And that's the deal with symmetry. Oh, if you're wondering about those fish who's eyes migrate across their heads as they settle into a life of bottom sitting? Well, turns out that as they rebelled from the symmetrical preference of 'ol Evolution, they were relegated to a stationary life on the floor of whatever lake, ocean, stream, or bog they happened to be in at the time. You see Evolution is quite clear on this: either it's symmetry, or it's stationary.
On the bright side, just because we happen to be symmetrical-ish, doesn't mean we have to fully adhere to the principle. I happen to be fond of several asymmetrical things including art, architecture, plants, and the occasional edgy hair style. Thanks for asking Mr. Tyler.
If you have a question or even a comment for Ninny, go ahead and click the Comment Link below. A lovely box will appear for you to type away your inquiry. So go ahead. Ask. Ninny knows.
posted by Ninny at 2:15 PM
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