The beginning of Paleofantasy introduces the argument behind the paleo-lifestyle and outlines how the book will demonstrate why this argument is false. Zuk writes that, counter to the paleo-argument that humans should live more like we did in the paleolithic in order to become healthier, she argues that we are very different than "cavemen" because we have evolved since the paleolithic.
I think a convincing argument of hers is that modern humans share less DNA than modern apes do. If modern humans are so genetically varied, and if we are even more different from humans from the paleolithic, why should we care what they ate? Zuk makes the argument that, because genes largely control what a person is able to digest, the large genetic variation between paleolithic humans and modern humans allows different humans to be able to eat different things. After all, humans didn't evolve in a single environment, even during the paleolithic.
I read a blog entry from someone who I gathered to be relatively respected in the paleo-community. He argues that Zuk sets up a straw man argument and that she isn't fairly depicting the paleo-lifestyle.
Do you think Zuk's argument is convincing? Do you think her representation of the paleo-lifestyle is fair?
I can see how Zuk's argument about the paleo-lifestyle and criticism of trying to emulate how humans used to live in the past can be interpreted as being sided. She seems to take quite a firm stance on the idea that people have evolved to be different from how they were and it is also hard to know exactly what they were like in the first place. I think the questions you've posed are important ones! I'm not sure how to answer these yet but look forward to seeing how Zuk presents her information in the following chapters. So far, Zuk has shown a different point of view than I had expected before I started reading this book and has some valid points, but I think her argument could be strengthened by addressing the other side more objectively.
ReplyDeletePhil, I haven't read this book, but I find your question about the straw man to be quite intriguing. Hmmm. I'm with Rija - I don't have an answer either, but hopefully you guys will be able to tease this out as you continue in the book.
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