A shift towards softer foods in ancient human diets, starting around the time of the Neolithic agricultural revolution, inadvertently changed the way our jaws develop. This resulted in a more common occurrence of overbites, where the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. This change in jaw structure, in turn, facilitated the pronunciation of labiodental sounds like "f" and "v," which were less common in languages spoken by hunter-gatherer populations with edge-to-edge bites. The study used biomechanical modeling and analyzed phonetic data from a variety of languages, concluding that the overbite facilitates these sounds, offering a selective advantage in populations consuming softer foods.
"Anatomy of Oscillation" explores the ubiquitous nature of oscillations in various systems, from physics and engineering to biology and economics. The post argues that these seemingly disparate phenomena share a common underlying structure: a feedback loop where a system's output influences its own input, leading to cyclical behavior. It uses the example of a simple harmonic oscillator (a mass on a spring) to illustrate the core principles of oscillation, including the concepts of equilibrium, displacement, restoring force, and inertia. The author suggests that understanding these basic principles can help us better understand and predict oscillations in more complex systems, ultimately offering a framework for recognizing recurring patterns in seemingly chaotic processes.
Hacker News users discussed the idea of "oscillation" presented in the linked Substack article, primarily focusing on its application in various fields. Some commenters questioned the novelty of the concept, arguing that it simply describes well-known feedback loops. Others found the framing helpful, highlighting its relevance to software development processes, personal productivity, and even biological systems. A few users expressed skepticism about the practical value of the framework, while others offered specific examples of oscillation in their own work, such as product development cycles and the balance between exploration and exploitation in learning. The discussion also touched upon the optimal frequency of oscillations and the importance of recognizing and managing them for improved outcomes.
Summary of Comments ( 67 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43117861
HN commenters discuss the methodology of the study, questioning the reliance on biomechanical models and expressing skepticism about definitively linking soft food to overbite development over other factors like genetic drift. Several users point out that other primates, like chimpanzees, also exhibit labiodental articulation despite not having undergone the same dietary shift. The oversimplification of the "soft food" category is also addressed, with commenters noting variations in food processing across different ancient cultures. Some doubt the practicality of reconstructing speech sounds based solely on skeletal remains, highlighting the missing piece of soft tissue data. Finally, the connection between overbite and labiodental sounds is challenged, with some arguing that an edge-to-edge bite is sufficient for producing these sounds.
The Hacker News comments section on the article "Ancient switch to soft food gave us overbite–the ability to pronounce 'f's,'v's" contains a robust discussion around the presented research. Several commenters express skepticism or challenge aspects of the study's methodology and conclusions.
One of the most compelling lines of discussion revolves around the difficulty of proving the causation link between softer foods and dental changes. Multiple commenters point out the correlation-causation problem, suggesting other factors could have contributed to the development of the overbite, such as changes in jaw musculature due to different tool use or genetic drift. One commenter specifically mentions the complexity of isolating the impact of food softness while other evolutionary pressures were also at play. They argue that the study might be oversimplifying a complex evolutionary process.
Another interesting point raised by several commenters concerns the ambiguity of "soft foods" in the context of pre-agricultural diets. Commenters question what constituted a "soft food" in those times, arguing that even cooked meats and vegetables would require significant chewing. They suggest that the study's definition of "soft food" might not accurately reflect the reality of ancient diets and thus could skew the findings. One comment even speculates on the potential role of cooking techniques, suggesting that boiling, for instance, might have softened foods more significantly than roasting.
Several commenters also delve into the linguistic aspects of the study, questioning the assertion that the overbite directly led to labiodental sounds (f, v). Some point to languages that utilize labiodental sounds without a prominent overbite as counterexamples. Others suggest that the connection between dental structure and sound production is more nuanced than presented in the study. One commenter specifically points to the existence of languages with bilabial fricatives (sounds similar to f and v but produced with both lips) as evidence that the overbite might not be strictly necessary for these types of sounds.
Furthermore, a few commenters discuss the study's reliance on biomechanical models. While acknowledging their usefulness, they highlight the limitations inherent in such models, especially when applied to complex systems like human evolution. They suggest that these models can oversimplify reality and might not fully capture the dynamic interplay of various factors influencing evolutionary changes.
Finally, some comments offer alternative hypotheses or expand upon the study's findings by linking them to other research on jaw development and human evolution. For example, one commenter proposes that the rise of agriculture and increased carbohydrate consumption might have played a more significant role in altering jaw structure. Another commenter mentions the impact of breastfeeding duration on facial development, suggesting this could be a contributing factor.
Overall, the Hacker News discussion provides a critical and insightful analysis of the study's claims. The commenters raise important questions about the methodology, interpretation, and implications of the research, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the complex relationship between diet, dental morphology, and language evolution.