Dichotomous.

There is an interesting contradiction in the biological construction of homo sapiens, an alleged result of evolution.

This contradiction is apparent in most of us. I am, of course, referring to the dichotomy of brains and brawn.

Over a period of a zillion years, or however long it was, the human race gradually mutated in such as to develop ever larger and more powerful brains. In this area, we are unparalleled in the animal kingdom. It is our competitive advantage. It has allowed is to colonise almost every part of the world, more or less safe from predators.

However, we have also not evolved to such a state that we no longer require physical exercise. We need it. We're not merely just brain machines. The rest of our physiological make-up is designed for physical exertion. We are incredibly weak and clumsy compared to most other animals, but we are not built for sedentary lifestyles. We become unhealthy without physical activity.

What's interesting about this is that most of our vocations involve choosing one or the other. The use of higher brain function or the utilisation of physical exertion. We spend 9 or 10 hours a day most of the week doing either one or the other. Very few people are in a job that utilises both.

It seems like such a shame.

Word of the Day: Exertion