http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-09/mystery-wrinkly-when-wet-fingers-solved
QuoteThe paper, which you can read here, suggests that wrinkled fingers actually provide drainage for water so as to ensure greater traction, just like tires on a car. By examining the soaked fingers of 28 subjects, the scientists discovered that each finger showed a similar pattern of wrinkles: as the New York Times puts it, "unconnected channels diverging away from one another as they got more distant from the fingertips." That allows water to drain away more efficiently from the fingers as they are pressed against an object, giving more surface area and a firmer grip.
I was unable to read the original article for some reason.
But it does make an intriguing point.
Of course I know the real reason. It's to tell you when to get out the pool.
I had this exact though the other day in the shower. Even tested it by running fingers vs the back of my hand over the wet shower wall. The difference in friction is remarkable. Mentioned it to our son the next day.
Ha. That's a weird synchronicity.
Eerie :fnord:
I've noticed it and found it annoying.
I guess my question is... "Why do I want or need traction in my fingers?"
because the soap is slippery.
It's for when you're climbing out of the river. Those rocks are slippery, my precious.
And isn't there some evidence that we were an aquatic species for a while? Weird little naked water-monkeys?
There's the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquatic_ape_hypothesis), but I don't think many scientists take it seriously.
I don't know enough to be able to form a legitimate opinion about it, but it seems that I normally only hear about the aquatic ape hypothesis in one of two contexts -- one being evolutionary scientists debunking it, and the other being creationists presenting it as a strawman for what evolutionists believe, and then debunking it.
TBH the only thing i read about that theory is the book The Aquatic Ape Hypothesis by Elaine Morgan but A it's a good read and B it sounds plausible.
It explains some weird human traits, like our lack of hair and our layer of fat under the skin, or our nose, what is up with our noses?