Why are Humans Bipedal?

Why on Earth do we stand upright? We have already talked about HOW we move bipedally, and how the Australopiths did as well, but why do we walk this way in the first palce?

Intro: The Mind Electric by Miracle Musical

Outro: Point Pleasant by Brock Berrigan

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[baarbacoa]

When our ancient ancestors invented the bicycle, it necessitated a move to bipedalism.

[HotDogTimeMachine]

We walk on our legs because walking on our head would just be silly, it doesn't work. :P
Wonderful video as always!

[PurpleRhymesWithOrange]

I knuckle walk regularly. It is a highly underrated form of scampering around in short spurts.

[Clockwork]

As a former YEC christian and current history nerd who recently started my BS in Anthropology (for the archaeology) I have to say your primatology and evolution lessons are incredibly helpful! Keep it up and keep being awesome :)

[hey_in_hey]

Every good video needs a comment for the algorithm.

[Chasardous]

Eminem: will the real slim shady please stand up?
Gutsick Gibbon: well sure, but there's so much more to discuss

[esthersayers]

Your videos are broken down simply enough I can show my Christian family and see them die inside as they try to dance around reasoning.
God bless your little heart😂

[DarthCalculus]

Had this video on with my daughter in the room, and prompted a conversation about Jane Goodall. She loves science and animals, and I love to see she has two great role models 👍

[Inspirement]

"this is what I think based on current data but it doesn't mean I'm right and science can change based on new observations" (paraphrased) SAY IT LOUDER FOR THE CREATIONISTS IN THE BACK!

[somethingsinlife]

Helps with spotting danger...Frees our hands...Conserves energy(probably).

[oldpossum]

I just can’t imagine the incurious who would rather find the complete set of answers in Galilean Goatherd’s Guide to the Universe. What do they do for fun? Burn books? Plan purity ceremonies? Practice at the gun range?

[knightbeforedawn]

I paused at about 2:35 to submit my hypothesis.

We started using tools and needed our hands to operate them.

[WayneBraack]

No matter how many times I watch this channel I cannot decipher all the words in the theme music.

[JosephKeenanisme]

Way cool. Things have changed a ton since I was in high school/college 30+ years ago.

Never too old to stop learning new stuff. If you're not interested in learning it's time to take a dirt nap. So many interesting things going on all without the need for the hocus pocus of magical thinking.

[alanhyland]

I'm sure I've said it before, but I really like your intro. It never fails to make me smile.

[mr.zafner]

The whole body of work of this woman is one of the best things that exists on YouTube. What a treasure to find this, if you care about the world, humanity, things outside of yourself. What a beautiful data object to exist

[jerelull]

Your students, including us in the current audience, are SO lucky. Brilliant, superbly educated and able to clearly explain key subjects without getting down into the weeds.

[Murdo]

I remember reading an article in New Scientist, several decades ago, on a paper that hypothesised that bipedalism was instrumental in the development of greater cognitive ability.
If I recall, it was to do with the pattern of blood vessels in the neck and back of the head.
When the pressure to select for efficient thermal regulation was diminished, it opened up options that allowed for patterns of distribution of blood that enabled more complex brain structure.

I haven't really kept up with developments in this field, over the years, so I'd be interested to hear people's thoughts on this, or how that hypothesis fared.

[macfoster]

I Effing love these videos that go a little more into the weeds and get crunchy with the details on these subjects. Thank you for not over simplifying things!

[prschuster]

So our ancestors stood up to see over tall grass and yell at lions while carrying food and babies after hanging orthograde from a branch while wading across a shallow river before being eaten by a crocodile. I call this my everything hypothesis.