h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Very informative; i knew the "aquatic ape" theory but had no idea it was she who first put it forward.

Have you ever met her in RL?

zdt

Yes, I have. I did a load of research for her biography, which is due to be published sometime next year, I think. She's lovely.

I was just reading some Daniel Dennett (writer of 'Darwin's Dangerous Idea') and she was mentioned in passing. I was thinking that someday I'd do more research on her, but with this article this will be sooner than later. Thanks Snaily!

The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis is also in the Guide: A730531.

Can I just offer a tiny little factual anomaly? In your footnote at the bottom you refer to "comprehensive" schools. Thes were essentially a product of the sixties. I'm pretty sure that previously the alternative to grammer school was something called secondary modern, but I don't know how far back that goes. Comprehensives were never intended to fit a two-tier system. They would have had a chance of working more effectively if they had replaced all other school types, because they were intended to have the flexibility and diversity to provide "education for all".

Sorry. Hasty button pushing and I don't know if posts can be edited. I also meant to say that your article is truly excellent. I first read EM's work on evolution in the late seventies and have always greatly admired her, but this is the first time I have discovered any background information. Thank you.

Hi.

Thanks for your comments. I feel a little foolish about that footnote now!

Because my article has already been accepted into the Edited Guide, I'm not sure it can be altered.

Glad you enjoyed the rest of it, though.

Yes it can be fixed, if you like. If it's a small thing, go to Feedback Editorial. If it's more extensive, go to Update Forum. I don't know much about the UK system, so I won't do it, but anyone could.

In that case, there's a *few* things I'd like to change. When I get round to it...

Really interesting entry - thanks for writing it!