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And supposedly, this aquatic ape concept explains why we're the only primate to have an extra layer of fat, etc.
Heh. And why we have flippers instead of hands. And why we can hold our breath for up to thirty minutes at a time. Oh, wait....
The aquatic ape "theory" is pretty much like the "aliens built the pyramids theory", the "ancient Europeans lived in a matriarchal, Moon-goddess worshipping society theory", and the "God created the universe in 6 days about 6000 years ago theory". It is basically a bunch of
ad hoc explanations for a bunch of random facts that are contradicted by the mass of actual evidence.
At any rate, my guess is that long hair is a result of sexual selection. However, unlike beards, breasts, and wide-hips, it is exhibited on both sexes, so perhaps there is another explanation.
"We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the same sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart."
-- H. L. Mencken (quoted on Panda's Thumb)