were people 700 years ago way smarter than today?

[raaaid]

proof that zebra stripes are not to protect against mosquitos but optic camouflage to confuse predators, a depth perception thing

[MB_Avro_UK]

Survival of the fittest no longer applies in the 'developed' world.

[major_setback]

Zebras confuse me.

[Skoshi Tiger]

Originally Posted by MB_Avro_UK

Survival of the fittest no longer applies in the 'developed' world.

Ah! That explains a lot! I've always wondered how I've got this far!

[Igo kyu]

Originally Posted by MB_Avro_UK

Survival of the fittest no longer applies in the 'developed' world.

How not? do we not eat?

[bongodriver]

Originally Posted by Igo kyu

How not? do we not eat?

We do but it's not such a struggle any more to eat when we have giant supermarkets and welfare states.

[Igo kyu]

Originally Posted by bongodriver

We do but it's not such a struggle any more to eat when we have giant supermarkets and welfare states.

It is true not so many die as did, but those who do die still don't breed.

[Skoshi Tiger]

I guess it depends on what we mean by "Fittest".

Do we mean physically capable or possessing attributes that advantageous in our environment?
Because in most cases we to adapt our environment to suit our needs we don’t need physical strength very often but we still need the skills, intelligence and other attributes to be successful in our society. Those that possess those skills will be at an advantage.

(If you talk to my wife you'll probally find that being able to spend thirty hours a day playing flight sims and conversing on forums is not high on that list! )

[Igo kyu]

Originally Posted by Skoshi Tiger

I guess it depends on what we mean by "Fittest".

It's pretty clearly a nearly circular definition. The fittest are those who survive and breed.