Why are humans “human-sized”?
Evolution isn't conscious, intelligent design. It doesn't strive to make the perfect organism that just the right height and size – whatever species manage to have viable offspring is an evolutionary success, and some end up better than others, thrive in their enviroment and breed more. The avera…
The Short Answer
Evolution isn't conscious, intelligent design. It doesn't strive to make the perfect organism that just the right height and size – whatever species manage to have viable offspring is an evolutionary success, and some end up better than others, thrive in their enviroment and breed more. The average human is the size of the average human because those are the genes that have been passed along for hundreds of thousands of years. We've grown taller and taller as of late due to a vast improvement of diet – more people can eat their fill and thus reach their maximum potential height, whereas malnourishment previously stunted many people's growth. So, why the 5-6 foot range then? It's a good enough size, really. Small enough to stay energy efficient in times in hunger, big enough to chase after prey and kill them.
Analysis
Key Concepts: Size, enough, height
This explanation focuses on size, enough, height and spans 140 words across 7 sentences. At 106% above the average General Knowledge explanation (68 words), this is one of the more thorough answers in this category, reflecting the complexity of the underlying question.
What This Answer Covers
The explanation opens with: “Evolution isn't conscious, intelligent design.” It then elaborates by explaining the root cause, ultimately building toward a complete picture across 7 connected points.
How This Compares in General Knowledge
Ranked #36 of 500 General Knowledge questions by answer depth (top 8%). This places it in the comprehensive tier — the top quarter of most thoroughly answered questions. Questions at this depth typically involve multi-faceted topics requiring nuanced explanation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a simple explanation for why humans "human-sized"?
Evolution isn't conscious, intelligent design. It doesn't strive to make the perfect organism that just the right height and size – whatever species manage to have viable offspring is an evolutionary success, and some end up better than others,…
How detailed is this explanation compared to similar General Knowledge questions?
This is one of the most thorough answer at 140 words, ranked #36 of 500 General Knowledge questions by depth. The key concepts covered are size, enough, height.
What approach does this answer take to explain humans "human-sized"?
The explanation uses root cause analysis across 140 words. It is categorized under General Knowledge and addresses the question through 1 analytical lens.