this post was submitted on 24 Aug 2025
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Science Memes

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[โ€“] TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world 26 points 2 days ago (21 children)

In all seriousness, human elderlies are actually evolutionary anomaly, because if Darwinian tenet of "survival of the fittest" applies 100% of the time, they would not be the norm. But the fact that old people are prevalent in human society is the proof that we are compassionate and loving creatures that transcend cold evolutionary programming. We care for others and the vulnerable.

[โ€“] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 27 points 2 days ago (6 children)

Almost all of it comes down to how long it takes to raise children. It takes a lot more people and effort and time to raise humans vs any other species, and its made us unique in that we have essentially support roles. Elderly people, people who can't or dont want to have kids of their own, even older children, all have a role to play in making sure we make it to adulthood and continue the species.

[โ€“] Patches@ttrpg.network 7 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (4 children)

Does anyone currently have any elders taking care of their kids? Or having done so?

The current generation of Elders living today aren't doing shit for support.

I would argue given how much voting power they have - they are actively making it worse for ~~parents~~ everyone

[โ€“] kieron115@startrek.website 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

I think it's less common in north america than in other continents.

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