Why Is Sex a Thing?

↓↓↓ More info and sources below ↓↓↓

Why does sex exist? You might think the obvious answer is “reproduction” but there are plenty of organisms on Earth that don’t require sex to reproduce. And the more that scientists examined sex, they more they realized that it’s an expensive and inefficient way to get your genes to the next generation. The true purpose of sex is actually one of the longest-standing mysteries in evolutionary biology. But scientists are closer than ever to finding the answer. Here’s what we know about the evolutionary enigma of sex.

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[besmart]

As your neighborhood science dad, you knew this day was coming. It's time we had "the talk"… about why sex is even a thing, biologically speaking.

[Sanguiris]

"Sex is twice as costly as no sex"

Truer words can never be spoken

[bobthegoat]

The talk today goes like this:
"Son we need to talk"
"Dad we have the internet. I already know"

[jumpingcrazybanana]

"Species don't stop evolving just because they've succeeded in their environment."

I love that!

[vzzniko]

As biologist I'm applauding you for your brilliant explanation and mentioning all important nuances! That's wonderful work! I wish there were more popular science resources like this which do not distort the original idea/concept.

[flingflong]

My new pick-up line: " i've got a healthy set of parasite resistant genes, wanna mate?"

[Alias_Anybody]

Card tricks don't seem to be essential for survival in his environment.

[Sciguy]

One good way to think of nature and evolution is that it's not necessarily survival of the "fittest" but instead it's survival of the "good enough." That's why you don't need a "winning hand" of genes, just a set that allows you to survive long enough to reproduce, even if you aren't perfect.

[FedericoZampese]

"Sex is twice as costly as no sex". I can assure you that the economic, social and business related outcome can be much, much worse than that

[FC-qcfj]

I like that you mention how science doesn’t have the exact answer to everything. We’re always still learning more about the world

[CypressKing]

So basically I’m not a genetic failure. Just a winning hand in the wrong game.

[valeriejones]

As someone who majored in Genetics with a minor in psychology looking to do genetic counselling 30 years ago. I have to say this is probably the most concise easiest to understand way to explain the concept of genetics and biology driving our genetics to the average person. So kudos to you on this excellent video.

[Chineseisntalanguageapparently]

You’d think the paradox was more like “why do we all like it and do it but it’s also the worst thing ever and no one should talk about it, especially if your family is religious”

[vincecomuna]

Fun fact: being a son of two doctos (one is a gynecologist and the other is a obstetrician) I never really had "the talk".
They just....treated me like an adult and assumed I was smart enough to understand the proper terms. And surprise surprise, I also became a doctor....a pediatrician. I suppose I'm a hybrid of my parent's academic lives.

[darkleome]

"Sex is twice as costly as no sex"
Well, yes, relationships do cost a lot of money

[talkingshark]

The fact that you were able to make this video not cringe is amazing

The worst thing about this video is that I did not find it sooner. Great work. You got a new subscriber :D

[korliyon]

"Why are you single?"
"It's complicated"

[jjohnston]

We never had "the talk". Our "talk" was the ABC After School Special "My Mom's Having a Baby". My mom told my brother and me to watch it, then hightailed it to the grocery store. Never another word.

[DIOsNotDead]

people who had "the talk" in school or at home are probably luckier than many of us living in conservative places where the only way for you to learn is porn and curiously researching it