TED: "Elaine Morgan says we evolved from aquatic apes" -

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm addicted to TED.

Elaine Morgan is a tenacious proponent of the aquatic ape hypothesis: the idea that humans evolved from primate ancestors who dwelt in watery habitats. Hear her spirited defense of the idea -- and her theory on why mainstream science doesn't take it seriously.

I <3 TED. I've used dozens of them to supplement or frame lessons.

My introduction to the 'aquatic ape hypothesis' came several years ago, through Graham Hancock. It was around the time of Underworld, and his "author of the month" was Ms. Morgan. I didn't really know what to make of her theory back then, but she's definitely added more complexity to her argument since then. It's unfortunate this doesn't make it into more textbooks... I've yet to speak with a secondary-level science teacher who had ever heard of it.

I also first came across this a few years ago. I found it interesting, but -- much like now -- I don't feel qualified to make a really informed assessment of whether it seems reasonable or not. Fun to speculate about anyhow!