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LUCY in the future sky.

Diminishing Sexual Dimorphism and the Non-parental Nature of Human Future

The tribe of Hominini dates back to the time when humans were beginning to diverge from apes in the path of evolution. Disocereved in the lands of Hadar (present-day Ethiopia) is a 40 per cent paleontological remains from a young female, affectionately called Lucy.  Unlike other hominids, her relatives were bipeds (walked on two feet). Thus it is the first time the other two of her limbs could have functioned as hands. Although a fully adult (with grown wisdom teeth) she was in no comparison to her male counterparts, who were taller and broad at shoulders. This legacy of lucy is important, as it brings up important discussions to the evolution table.

Sexual dimorphism is a noticeable trait in the natural world, the mating call of and the glamourous plumage of the peacock are all elaborate rituals for the male to attract the female. But in humans, we are living in an age where dimorphism is eroding away. The present-day anatomical difference between male and female, stand at a historical low. We have rightly arrived at an age of equality. the feminism movements have ushered an age of social equality, although the battle is far from won. Its is interesting to ponder on how the future of the species ruling the planet looks like.

In these later centuries of human existence, we have outgrown the needs for shelter, food and sex. From grains to land; then valuable metals and finally money, we have become utilitarian with evolution. Today we stand at the brim of this population explosion and resource extraction. And at this point, the diminishing sexual dimorphism and equality of the human sexes, has put coitus as an act of passion and stimulation rather than breeding. This is evident in the increasing age of marriage and childbearing. Countries like Japan, have a young population unwilling to rear children. Sociologically, this trend is associated with how promising, potential parents view their future is. But today anatomical and political changes are pointing towards, this becoming the new nature of humans.

The elongated life-span and the individualistic culture gives us a bunch of question, that future may reveal. Will the future be made of machine-assisted humans? Will we start to live so long, that children will become a treat to our own lives? Will the ability to build babies on choice, stop us from relying on the natural process of growing babies in mother's womb? But even after all this, carnal desires have continued to shape relations, motivations and politics.

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