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Author Topic:   Is it possible for mermaids to exist?
Taz
Member (Idle past 3291 days)
Posts: 5069
From: Zerus
Joined: 07-18-2006


Message 1 of 19 (664452)
05-30-2012 3:47 PM


I'm not talking about singing mermaids who are sexy and beautiful. I'm talking about an ape species that has adopted to marine environment. An aquatic ape species.
For reference, watch these videos of animal documentary.
Coffee House I guess. Also, please don't make sarcastic comments like singing mermaids are impossible and all that shit. I want to know your thoughts on the possibility of an aquatic ape species coexisting with us.

Replies to this message:
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Message 2 of 19 (664454)
06-01-2012 6:04 AM


Thread Copied from Proposed New Topics Forum
Thread copied here from the Is it possible for mermaids to exist? thread in the Proposed New Topics forum.

  
Panda
Member (Idle past 3712 days)
Posts: 2688
From: UK
Joined: 10-04-2010


Message 3 of 19 (664456)
06-01-2012 6:42 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Taz
05-30-2012 3:47 PM


Taz writes:
For reference, watch these videos of animal documentary.
FYI: the 'animal documentary' is a work of fiction.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1816585/combined
But to answer your question:
Possible? Well anything is possible.
Likely? Since there is no evidence of mermaids, I would say no.
Edited by Panda, : No reason given.

CRYSTALS!!

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by Chuck77, posted 06-01-2012 7:06 AM Panda has replied

  
Chuck77
Inactive Member


(1)
Message 4 of 19 (664457)
06-01-2012 7:06 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Panda
06-01-2012 6:42 AM


Panda writes:
But to answer your question:
Possible? Well anything is possible.
Likely? Since there is no evidence of mermaids, I would say no.
There isn't evidence for life on other planets either. Would you say no to that possibility also?
And with certain parts of the ToE is does seem like anything is possible. With PE and land to sea and sea to land mammals and the various other "transitionals" and "common ancestory" why are you dismissing Taz' question so easily?
Also, for what it's worth. You're posts are getting better. They're getting longer and more involved with content and the debate. It seems you are starting to garner what Straggler said about your potential. Good job.
Edited by Chuck77, : No reason given.
Edited by Chuck77, : No reason given.

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Panda
Member (Idle past 3712 days)
Posts: 2688
From: UK
Joined: 10-04-2010


Message 5 of 19 (664463)
06-01-2012 7:43 AM
Reply to: Message 4 by Chuck77
06-01-2012 7:06 AM


Chuck77 writes:
There isn't evidence for life on other planets either. Would you say no to that possibility also?
You are confusing "absence of evidence" with "evidence of absence".
We have an absence of evidence of life on 99.999% of other planets because we haven't been able to look.
We have evidence of absence of life on Mars because we have looked and found none.
We have evidence of absence of mermaids on Earth because we have looked and found none.
Chuck77 writes:
And with certain parts of the ToE is does seem like anything is possible. With PE and land to sea and sea to land mammals and the various other "transitionals" and "common ancestory" why are you dismissing Taz' question so easily?
Because there is no evidence.
Chuck77 writes:
Also, for what it's worth. You're posts are getting better. They're getting longer and more involved with content and the debate. It seems you are starting to garner what Straggler said about your potential. Good job.
But, alas, you have reverted back to your original pattern.
Edited by Panda, : No reason given.
Edited by Panda, : No reason given.
Edited by Panda, : No reason given.

CRYSTALS!!

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frako
Member (Idle past 305 days)
Posts: 2932
From: slovenija
Joined: 09-04-2010


Message 6 of 19 (664471)
06-01-2012 9:03 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Taz
05-30-2012 3:47 PM


It is possible we have seen evolution produce water dwelling mammals, like say whales. We also see a common mutation that produces webbed fingers and feet ideal for swimming, there is also a mutation called mermaid syndrome where the feet of the individual are grown together much looking much like a mermaids tail. Its only a question of environmental pressures that would produce such a species.
But i dont think they exists not because it is not possible but because there is no evidence that would warrant the belief in mermaids.
Edited by frako, : No reason given.

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This message is a reply to:
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Panda
Member (Idle past 3712 days)
Posts: 2688
From: UK
Joined: 10-04-2010


Message 7 of 19 (664474)
06-01-2012 9:26 AM
Reply to: Message 6 by frako
06-01-2012 9:03 AM


frako writes:
We also see a common mutation that produces webbed fingers and feet ideal for swimming, there is also a mutation called mermaid syndrome where the feet of the individual are grown together much looking much like a mermaids tail.
We know about those mutations though, don't we.
The very fact you can provide these things as evidence shows that they exist and we know about them.
But we are not able to provide any evidence of mermaids.
We have no fossils. We have no transitional fossils. We have no corpses. We have no physical evidence at all.
Perhaps there is a biologist here who could answer if it is even possible for anything remotely ape-like becoming fully aquatic?
p.s.
I find it very telling that people rarely talk about mermen.
And any whimsical fantasies about mermaids are tarnished by the fact they would have to be covered in blubber to prevent hypothermia.
Edited by Panda, : No reason given.

CRYSTALS!!

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1.61803
Member (Idle past 1503 days)
Posts: 2928
From: Lone Star State USA
Joined: 02-19-2004


Message 8 of 19 (664475)
06-01-2012 9:32 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Taz
05-30-2012 3:47 PM


Aquatic ape hypothesis - Wikipedia
I read a book years ago in my freshman year in college, it was a physical anthro course, the author was Elaine Morgan.
She posited that modern humans have they're beginnings in a beach and water environment.
Did some other primate inhabit the water? Good question, except the fossil record as of yet does not seem to support it.
The Savannah grassland theory still seems to be the accepted theory of where primates began the journey to humanity.

"You were not there for the beginning. You will not be there for the end. Your knowledge of what is going on can only be superficial and relative" William S. Burroughs

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Panda
Member (Idle past 3712 days)
Posts: 2688
From: UK
Joined: 10-04-2010


Message 9 of 19 (664476)
06-01-2012 9:42 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by 1.61803
06-01-2012 9:32 AM


There's an old thread about that: Aquatic Ape theory?

CRYSTALS!!

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1.61803
Member (Idle past 1503 days)
Posts: 2928
From: Lone Star State USA
Joined: 02-19-2004


Message 10 of 19 (664478)
06-01-2012 9:54 AM
Reply to: Message 9 by Panda
06-01-2012 9:42 AM


Yeah, I do not adhere to that theory. I also think that if there was some ancient mermaid race extant or extinct there would be some evidence of it.

"You were not there for the beginning. You will not be there for the end. Your knowledge of what is going on can only be superficial and relative" William S. Burroughs

This message is a reply to:
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onifre
Member (Idle past 2950 days)
Posts: 4854
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Joined: 02-20-2008


Message 11 of 19 (664489)
06-01-2012 11:42 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by 1.61803
06-01-2012 9:54 AM


I also think that if there was some ancient mermaid race extant or extinct there would be some evidence of it.
Umm, there is...
Also, I believe Tom Hanks fell in love with one too. Not sure how accurate that story is though.
- Oni

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onifre
Member (Idle past 2950 days)
Posts: 4854
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Joined: 02-20-2008


(1)
Message 12 of 19 (664490)
06-01-2012 11:45 AM
Reply to: Message 10 by 1.61803
06-01-2012 9:54 AM


I also think that if there was some ancient mermaid race extant or extinct there would be some evidence of it.
Umm, there is...
Also, I believe Tom Hanks fell in love with one too. Not sure how accurate that story is though.
- Oni
PS. You're welcome anyone who's stoned right now watching the Little Mermaid video
Edited by onifre, : No reason given.

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xongsmith
Member
Posts: 2578
From: massachusetts US
Joined: 01-01-2009
Member Rating: 6.8


Message 13 of 19 (664519)
06-01-2012 3:51 PM


WTF?
Has anyone really examined the body of the widely-distributed mainstream media's version of a mermaid? Just how is a human male suppose to be able to have intercourse if below her narrow waistline she is always depicted as a scaly fish (ouch!). Just where in her anatomy is the way? Is his fate always going to be with the upper half (not that that would be that bad for some)?

- xongsmith, 5.7d

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Panda
Member (Idle past 3712 days)
Posts: 2688
From: UK
Joined: 10-04-2010


Message 14 of 19 (667127)
07-03-2012 10:57 AM


The US government steps in...
"No evidence of mermaids, says US government"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-18692830
"The National Ocean Service made the unusual declaration in response to public inquiries following a TV show on the mythical creatures.
It is thought some viewers may have mistaken the programme for a documentary."
Edited by Panda, : No reason given.

CRYSTALS!!

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 Message 15 by Taq, posted 07-03-2012 6:00 PM Panda has seen this message but not replied

  
Taq
Member
Posts: 9970
Joined: 03-06-2009
Member Rating: 5.6


Message 15 of 19 (667194)
07-03-2012 6:00 PM
Reply to: Message 14 by Panda
07-03-2012 10:57 AM


Re: The US government steps in...
"The National Ocean Service made the unusual declaration in response to public inquiries following a TV show on the mythical creatures.
It is thought some viewers may have mistaken the programme for a documentary."

Reminds me of the Spaghetti Tree hoax.
I happened to watch that Mermaid show and I could tell that it was a hoax almost immediately. The supposed experts were obviously actors (or biologists doing a bad acting job), not biologists reporting factual evidence.
Edited by Taq, : No reason given.

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