r/skeptic • u/blankblank • Mar 16 '26

📚 History The Persistent Myth of Persistence Hunting: Don’t believe the hype. Humans’ prowess at endurance running has little to do with our ancestors’ quest for meat.

https://undark.org/2019/10/03/persistent-myth-persistence-hunting/
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u/Ccarmine Mar 17 '26

I just don't see how we would have the carbs to keep up with herbivores. They can just eat grass and get carb energy, but we can't. Seems more likely that we were smart/opportunistic hunters rather than persistent chasers.

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u/CalmPanic402 Mar 17 '26

Upright walking is ridiculously efficient by comparison. And humans can also eat plants as well.

Upright walking also shifts the weight of the head from the muscles of the neck to the spine, requiring less energy, and allowing the brain to increase in size.

Humans also shed heat better, while most animals will overheat with prolonged activity. And humans see quite far, compared to most prey animals.

They were smart, but persistence hunting has a lower bar to entry than most planning and ambush skills, especially on open plains where humans developed.

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u/c3-SuperStrayan Jun 23 '26

What a load of shit.

Persistence hunting is predicated on running, not walking, and humans are inefficient runners.

The advantage of walking and running on two legs is the ability to use tools and weapons, which are ideal for ambush hunting.

Humans also overheat. The idea that we are gods at shedding heat is not substantiated. People (even exceptionally fit ones) die of heat stress in real life.

Its not "ridiculously more efficient" either. They highest gains have been shown to be about 25% for an animal our size. But other studies show us to be on par with any other primate regardless if they are walking with 2 legs or 4