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Comment by osigurdson | Hacker News Reader

Doesn't it seem logical, given we have spent millions or years evolving in the sun?

evolutionary pressures don't usually optimize for longevity beyond a certain point.

It is a strange hypothesis. Living under a rock and avoiding sun exposure might kill you before you are able to reproduce. But, if you get past that point you will live long life under said rock.

Not really, since evolution doesn't optimize organisms for longevity, but for reproductive success.

Having older family members around to pass on skills and look after the young is an advantage that happens after reproductive age.

For that to work, they don't have to be ancient. Just fit enough long enough to be too much of a net burden to the younger generations. The menopause seems to coincide with the age where people used to become grandparents.

Furthermore, people getting too old might make it harder for collective cultural knowledge to evolve. Which is fine in good times, but disadvantageous in volatile circumstances.

Longevity is a component in reproductive success since until quite recently in humans evolutionary past, the family played a crucial role in upbringing of the young generation. The more grandparents were missing, the harder it was for the young to survive since they tended to be less cared for.

Yes, in Africa. Caucasians not so much.

Caucasians also spent a great deal of time evolving in Africa to my knowledge. Then, had to drop pigment in order to improve vitamin D synthesis.

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