If there was overpopulation of the planet, could it be possible that "nature" would make more people gay/lesbians in order to decrease the population? (I guess bi would help too but not necessarily much)
Not sure if this is clear but it is a question I have often wondered about but I could not find an evolutionary reason why it would be so and this lots of you know much more than I do, I'm asking! Hope I'm not too late though
A more specific way to put it is, if there actually was some sort of genetic strategy for LGBTQ as a density-dependent response to overpopulation pressures (rather than some simpler default explanation like 'sex is a large mutational target' or 'antagonistic pleiotropy' or 'mutation load probably related to evolutionary-recent demographics'), that implies that overpopulation pressures + subsequent LGBTQ response have happened so many times before that a genetic strategy could be repeatedly selected for and refined and blindly evolved. The strategy has to c... (read more)
Thanks for the answer and the link ! I'll go read group selection tomorrow.
1exmateriae
Update : I didn't completely get your (gwern) answer at first but after I read eliezer's post it made more sense, I think I was missing basic information about the topic to fully get it. Your explanation really added something to the original post since it was tailored to the subject I was wondering about.
Thanks!
I don't agree necessarily. People just blindly listen to what people say, I disagree, I don't think people are born gay. I do think overpopulation is a cause for potential for diverted stereotypes. If we are over populated why keep breeding at the same rate, seeing all the kids without homes is enough reason to make me want to be homosexual just saying. I think nothing is predefined completely. I think free will is at the end of the day stronger then any "Genetic Aspect", to the choices we made in life. I don't just blindly believe something, I ask q... (read more)
I don't agree necessarily. People just blindly listen to what people say, I disagree, I don't think people are born gay. I do think overpopulation is a cause for potential for diverted stereotypes. If we are over populated why keep breeding at the same rate, seeing all the kids without homes is enough reason to make me want to be homosexual just saying. I think nothing is predefined completely. I think free will is at the end of the day stronger then any "Genetic Aspect", to the choices we made in life. I don't just blindly believe something, I ask questions, where there is smoke isn't fire a person once said. No , where there is smoke is questions waiting to be answered and a path never followed before. That is love and attraction. Its a vague term, I don't want anyone genes or not, science, culture, stereotypes, to tell me who I can love and who I can be attracted too. I am attracted to and love a gay guy, I have never found a guy more attractive, trans now. What is the definition of love, science can only explain so much. I am not confused, I know who I love and I chose to love that person because I have a free mind, where love is free.
If there was overpopulation of the planet, could it be possible that "nature" would make more people gay/lesbians in order to decrease the population? (I guess bi would help too but not necessarily much)
Not sure if this is clear but it is a question I have often wondered about but I could not find an evolutionary reason why it would be so and this lots of you know much more than I do, I'm asking! Hope I'm not too late though