“Why are our life spans so limited? The answer is simple. Natural selection favors the genes of those with the most descendants. Those numbers tend to grow exponentially with the number of generations- and so this favors the genes of those who reproduce at earlier ages. Evolution does not usually favor genes that lengthen lives beyond that amount adults need to care for their young. Indeed, it may even favor offspring who do not have to compete with living parents. Such competition could promote the accumulation of genes that cause death.”
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Full text of this awesome article…
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