tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post8314524142148330855..comments2024-02-29T03:57:00.088-05:00Comments on The Mermaid's Tale: Why is the human vagina so big?Anne Buchananhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09212151396672651221noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-44209601688439040732017-08-18T11:45:28.018-04:002017-08-18T11:45:28.018-04:00Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wa...Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Wall to Wall Carpet Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-70491528894998790462017-08-10T02:40:13.657-04:002017-08-10T02:40:13.657-04:00Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Floor...<a href="http://www.flooringsupplies.co.uk/laminate-flooring" rel="nofollow">Laminate Flooring</a> Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring Laminate Flooring<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03919859920024191764noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-40887120731530231432016-01-12T09:30:52.728-05:002016-01-12T09:30:52.728-05:00P.S. I just re-read your comment and I think you s...P.S. I just re-read your comment and I think you simply mistyped the part at the beginning that says "less variability would suggest less selection pressure on that structure" given everything that follows as well as the title of the paper, which I can see now that I'm looking at the comment in full view (not behind the scenes where it was cut off). Thanks again!Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-85921448746292984452016-01-12T09:28:38.964-05:002016-01-12T09:28:38.964-05:00Thanks so much Kim. I'll definitely check out ...Thanks so much Kim. I'll definitely check out your paper. I'm interested for many obvious reasons but one is also because I thought the norm among evolutionary scientists was to explain less variability with *more* selection pressure, not less, as you explain. <br /><br />Thanks again.Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-38203713198591629392016-01-08T19:37:20.796-05:002016-01-08T19:37:20.796-05:00I am not sure whether this is directly relevant to...I am not sure whether this is directly relevant to actual size of genitals, but we published a paper some years ago that looked at variation in clitoral size, vaginal depth and penis length with the idea that less variability would suggest less selection pressure on that structure. What we found using published samples of men's and women's genitals was that of the three, the clitoris was the most variable with a CV ratio of about 3 compared both to penile length variability and to vaginal depth variability. By contrast the CV ratio for penile length to vaginal depth was about 1, or comparable. We suggested that these data are consistent with clitoral size not being under strong selective pressure, whereas Penile length and vaginal depth reflected comparable selective pressure raising the possibility that their dimensions co-evolved. Since I didn't collect the actual data I can't vouch for how much measurement influenced the findings, but I thought they give some food for thought.<br /><br /><br />Wallen, K., Lloyd, E.A. (2008). Clitoral variability compared to penile variability supports nonadaptation of female orgasm. Evolution and Development, 10(1): 1-2.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07148561348527816129noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-899824301009990982015-12-19T07:14:37.921-05:002015-12-19T07:14:37.921-05:00What is meant by a "large" vagina? Most...What is meant by a "large" vagina? Most sit around in a flattened, shortened state. They don't sit there being "large." They *accommodate* a penis. A vagina is very stretchy. You can have a baby come out of it and then it'll snap back. A lady with a shorter vagina can still accommodate a very large penis, because given time, the vagina can stretch, and the uterus and other organs can be pushed (slowly, please) out of the way, with no pain. A penis has a maximum length; a vagina can handle a baby's head and comically large sex toys. So I think measuring the "size" of a vagina would be hard. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-78047929738749488552015-11-30T15:15:14.207-05:002015-11-30T15:15:14.207-05:00No, just that this Anonymous forgot to wink, which...No, just that this Anonymous forgot to wink, which would indicate that he can't possibly be serious. (I never understand people who are actually serious and continue to read to the end of articles they disagree with.) Maybe I needed a winky face on my comment too!Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06872708315807990120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-76291056095880429452015-11-30T15:04:02.011-05:002015-11-30T15:04:02.011-05:00Ah! You mean it is I who has failed at detecting ...Ah! You mean it is I who has failed at detecting humor?! Sorry, but the tone is way off for my taste. I do hope it was meant in jest.Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-84107977343538522382015-11-30T15:02:22.734-05:002015-11-30T15:02:22.734-05:00Perhaps the winky face emoji has been left off.Perhaps the winky face emoji has been left off.Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06872708315807990120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-79360265617897566232015-11-30T15:02:12.144-05:002015-11-30T15:02:12.144-05:00Actually, that comment reads like a native English...Actually, that comment reads like a native English speaker wrote it and, whether or not it was sparked by poor reading comprehension and the inability to detect satire, it is awful. Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-5327829772762341962015-11-30T14:53:03.315-05:002015-11-30T14:53:03.315-05:00There is either a language barrier or a humor barr...There is either a language barrier or a humor barrier or something going on above. Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-28580758439419871212015-11-03T13:10:02.381-05:002015-11-03T13:10:02.381-05:00First, this post was fantastic. I think the primar...First, this post was fantastic. I think the primary takeaway is that science has been dominated by men for so long and theories of genital evolution reflected that. <br /><br />Second, hasn't it been proven false that penis length is positively correlated with fertility? <br />Also, when we say "big vagina" does that mean length or girth? If we're adhering to the argument that a longer penis is better for getting the sperm to their destination, then wouldn't a shorter vagina be better (unless we're more like ducks)? A wide, shallow vagina seems biomechanically better for childbirth, unless sliding through increases infant-vaginal surface contact and promotes transference of necessary microbes. <br />Stacyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06872708315807990120noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-4474004816944284502015-10-26T13:24:15.558-04:002015-10-26T13:24:15.558-04:00Thanks to all for the comments and eye-opening inf...Thanks to all for the comments and eye-opening information.<br /><br />To the question about shoulders above, they certainly are a major problem but I don't know if anyone can say they are "the" problem over another, like head or pelvis or overall fetal size, or any number of issues with the uterus or cervix, or a surplus of energy, or a greedy placenta, ...<br /><br />Regarding some of the feedback here and also on social media: Many people are taking my post literally in ways that were not intended. And that, I think, speaks to how the ideas that I'm commenting on have become so predominant. <br /><br />Further, I can be bold with my claims based on mostly my intuition alone because that's the example that's set by the science, and its dissemination, that I'm commenting on. <br /><br />Also, I have a key to a particular lock that jiggles quite a bit around yet it still does the trick. <br />Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-9499923208126486012015-10-26T12:44:01.736-04:002015-10-26T12:44:01.736-04:00Here's Martin's scatterplot of Dixson
http...Here's Martin's scatterplot of Dixson<br />https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-we-do-it/201504/does-size-matter-women<br /><br />His thoughts on girth & width<br />https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/how-we-do-it/201502/expanding-penis-size<br /><br />I (hyena commenter) considered if there were a lot of wiggle room (no pun intended), the high penis-vagina correlation may simply be an artifact of inter-species allometry. But looking at chimps, gorillas, humans suggests that this is not the case - given their respective sexual dimorphism, data not consistent with simple allometry (in which case all highly dimorphic species would be below regression line) and more consistent with your adaptive lock & key model. Nevertheless, high degree of intra-individual variation in size of human genitalia suggests either multiple strategies or simply relatively low selection within functional size range (probably latter - so a little wiggle room). <br /><br />re: Bowman: Aren't shoulders, not the head, the big problem during birth?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-65477205475026137382015-10-25T13:16:13.837-04:002015-10-25T13:16:13.837-04:00And the point of your comment slipped by me at fir...And the point of your comment slipped by me at first. Yeah, that strange name for the birth canal of a hyena just because field researchers mistook it for a penis. Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-71056359880461434502015-10-25T13:00:40.321-04:002015-10-25T13:00:40.321-04:00Exceptions are marvelous! I believe they only have...Exceptions are marvelous! I believe they only have to line-up holes to enable fertilization! Much like cloacal kissing in many animals, I suppose.Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-25637482318476586812015-10-25T12:55:46.579-04:002015-10-25T12:55:46.579-04:00It's an interesting issue. One thing that came...It's an interesting issue. One thing that came to mind is hyenas giving birth through their pseudopenis. I look forward to the longer article. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-91098173905651975302015-10-24T11:50:59.065-04:002015-10-24T11:50:59.065-04:00Conspicuous ness due to Bipedalism is a fave expla...Conspicuous ness due to Bipedalism is a fave explanation for the large penis. In that paragraph I'm doing many things, one is turning the story around but with vaginas. It's not supposed to be serious or scientific.Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-83737219317796665382015-10-24T11:22:23.858-04:002015-10-24T11:22:23.858-04:00This point got my attention as well. Since the vag...This point got my attention as well. Since the vagina is internal, when a woman is bipedal, the only part that is visible is the mons pubis, and possibly the labia majora.pudendumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03780824152920225409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-76860394554241850112015-10-24T07:04:16.372-04:002015-10-24T07:04:16.372-04:00Yes, thank you for mentioning this. I'm famili...Yes, thank you for mentioning this. I'm familiar with that but it's rare that the same explanation is applied to chimps' closest relatives - why not?Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-13109250486949562782015-10-24T06:45:55.814-04:002015-10-24T06:45:55.814-04:00I remember being teach at the University that the ...I remember being teach at the University that the penis of Chimpanzee had evolved in accordance with the "size" of females' swealing... Seems that idea was not further explored...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-87405295480132967302015-10-23T21:50:01.900-04:002015-10-23T21:50:01.900-04:00As someone pointed out on Facebook, I should have ...As someone pointed out on Facebook, I should have titled this, "Why is Man's Vagina So Big?"Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-53851367662639641802015-10-23T19:34:04.089-04:002015-10-23T19:34:04.089-04:00""Dixson" is his real name? Awesome...""Dixson" is his real name? Awesome."<br /><br />Reminds me of the most warmongering NATO general named Breedlove.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-74992434735907524202015-10-23T18:20:33.364-04:002015-10-23T18:20:33.364-04:00Thanks- Bipedalism is a fave explanation for the b...Thanks- Bipedalism is a fave explanation for the big human penis. That's what that was about. Turning the tables.Holly Dunsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05260104967932801186noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1812431336777691886.post-38187788632255529132015-10-23T18:01:09.131-04:002015-10-23T18:01:09.131-04:00"Dixson" is his real name? Awesome."Dixson" is his real name? Awesome.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com