> “Because, evolutionarily, why would we be so disgusting that we need constant cleaning? And constant moisturizing and/or de-oiling?”
I am highly sceptical of every argument starting with "evolutionarily". Many times it just doesn't make any sense. "Evolutionarily, why would we travel in cars? I have this friend who stopped travelling in cars and hasn't been sick ever since".
Not that the soap question is not interesting, but anecdotal evidences ("I know a guy who...") never convince me.
Besides, evolutionarily speaking, everything is about reproduction and raising children to sexual maturity. If women tend to prefer to mate with men who wash themselves regularly (there's strong evidence that's the case), and/or if washing regularly increases the chances of boys reaching sexual maturity (there's also evidence that's the case) then that's the behavior evolutionary pressure is encouraging.
And, evolutionary, why would cats and dogs be so disgusting that they would have to clean themselves? And why would raccoons be so surrounded by bacteria that they would evolve to rinse their paws in water? And why would birds evolve to take water or dust baths, and preen their feathers?
This article makes me concerned not only for the physical hygiene of our species, but for its mental hygiene as well.
I am highly sceptical of every argument starting with "evolutionarily". Many times it just doesn't make any sense. "Evolutionarily, why would we travel in cars? I have this friend who stopped travelling in cars and hasn't been sick ever since".
Not that the soap question is not interesting, but anecdotal evidences ("I know a guy who...") never convince me.