The Mystery of Wrinkly-When-Wet Fingers, Solved

Ok, ok, I feel and fully allowed to say the words "EW". I hate when my fingers and toes get all wrinkly.

Now my question is why in the world is theses scientist concern with this topic to pull themselves away from real concerns. Are these people being governmentally funded?

That picture on the article. "EW - Maximum!"

Tamiko, You sound like a conservative. They drive me crazy. Its like a lack of knowledge and intelligence is their platform. A scientific understanding of everything is, and always will be, important for a species that relies on its intelligence to keep it alive. Humans happen to be one of those species.

I agree with understanding of acquiring knowledge as being important to human knowledge. But we do not have unlimited resources, money and time, so yes we do have to prioritize. I suggest making better choices of our priorities that was all.

@dahitman, actually she sounds much like a liberal, only concentrate on things that stop global warming! ^-^ Meanwhile constanly looking down on others due to thier percieved level of mental superiority(intened to desribe dahitman, not Tamiko). I suppose you think every conservative is not intelligent because they don't agree with you. Get over yourself, people like you on both sides of the isle are killing this country.

Seriously though, I'm a libertarian who leans more to the conservative side and I love all aspect of science, even those that don't immediately have a direct influence on anything. You never know how one discovery will build on another or lead to another that will eventually cure cancer or invent cold fusion.

Well, Army. I was going to make a joke or snyde comment about Dahiteman's judging comments but you have to go and put sound arguments down on e-paper. You should be ashamed of yourself! Wasting a good opportunity to add no value to the conversation. Well at least I got to scold you for it...

Science is performed by answering many small questions. Mountains are made from many smaller stones, books are comprised of many pages, discovery is a process of many small events.

@dahiteman,

I was gonna say Tamiko sounds like BubbaGump :P

@Tamiko,

If you don't like what they are studying why don't you go become a scientist and then go study whatever you want instead of telling other people what they should or shouldn't be doing...

---

"Do not offer sympathy to the mentally ill.
Tell them firmly:
I am not paid to listen to this drivel.
You are a terminal boob." - William S. Burroughs

@ET3Perez Is that a quote or something you came up with on the spot? I may use it in the future lol

It would be cool if humans faces did the same. Boy, imagine just getting out of the shower and having to answer the door! Far worse than your morning face!

This article reminds me of the aquatic ape hypothesis. According to the hypothesis, humans had an aquatic stage in our evolution that led to many of the features that differentiate us from apes (hairlessness, hooded nose, voluntary breath control, etc.) Wrinkling fingers and toes creating more grip would seem to further support that hypothesis.

BTW, am I the only one that finds this macaque creepy?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Macaca_nigra_self-portrait.jpg

cool. never would of thought of that.

_________________
The people of the world only divide into two kinds, One sort with brains who hold no religion, The other with religion and no brain.

- Abu-al-Ala al-Marri

Who is to say that this research won't lead into something that would relate to health or anything else that is a hot button issue? There have probably been cases where someone decided to study something that seemed meaningless to others but, turned out to lead into a breakthrough in something important.

@democedes:
He just wants to be your friend...and then maybe eat your teeth ala "Don't be afraid of the dark"

@geawiel

exactly! so many seemingly unimportant discoveries have led to great scientific breakthroughs. For example:

Ok I can't think of any right now, but you get the point.

@democedes

he's actually kinduv...Ok I can't even type that. That thing creeps me the hell out!

@Imdgreatest,

I'll help you out with a good example: Penicillin

@tamiko you dont sound like a liberal or conservative, you sound like a girl jk lol.But i agree the finger looks gross i scrolled down the minutes i loaded the article

@dahitman the only reason liberals sound like there talking down to you is because they are.Opinions of mainstream socail conservatives are absurd and based on wishy nonsense. if your going to have foolish opinions you going to be treated like a fool. dont call me an elightist because I read. Honestly the day conservative thinkers got in bed with anti intellectualism was a sad day indeed. If it wernt for the informed oasis that is ron paul the whole party would be nothing but a baligerent sea of embaressing idiots.

More relavently I always remembered my skin being more sensative in that wrinkly state not to mention less durable i would think any added tension from traction would damage the skin or be uncoimfortable

Somebody please put some lotion on that childs finger, please! I hate prunie wrinkly toes and fingers! In the name of pratical science put some lotion on that child, dang it! Gurrr!

Any research is good research. Learning anything, literally anything is always good I would say. You never know when it might come in handy.

I love that as I read the comments on this article I saw a libertarian and a Ron Paul supporter.

These comments make me cry.
http://s3.amazonaws.com/kym-assets/photos/images/original/000/126/314/3cd8a33a.png?1306264975

@BV
and
@Tomiko: I used to disagree with BV a lot here on pop sci but recently I am agree with him more and more.

like other people I agree that we need absolute understanding of the physical world around us. its your closed minded thinking that slows man down. I can tell off the bat you can not even begin to see the ramification of this article.
They are talking about an evolution trait in humans that we never knew existed. Something that could have possibility allowed us to better function in the wild, rain, and wet areas of the earth. What other hidden evolutions secrets are hiding in our everyday lives that we dont even realize are there.

you talk of wasting time and money. What about all the fat people out there. how much time and money is wasting on EATING. Eating TOO much FAR more than the body needs??? would you rather these people spend all this time and money making guns and then using those guns to kill people in the name of more oil for cars??? What about people who do nothing but flip burgers all day and then watch TV and drink beer at night. what about all that wasted time and money?

@tomiko
"Somebody please put some lotion on that childs finger, please! I hate prunie wrinkly toes and fingers! In the name of pratical science put some lotion on that child, dang it! Gurrr!"

you know. you are starting to sound a lot like bubba.
guess what? news flash! you dont have to type and submit every single thought that streams through your brain!

There goes crazy ol' inaka making people out to be Bubba. Good thing he is forcing his opinions on you Tomiko and BV, I wish inaka would think for me too.

inaka_rob. I appreciate your comments and opinions. Yes we humans have skin that is water proof and protects us from the environment. In fact, I believe our skin is the largest organ of the human body. Our skin is also a great filtration system in helping to remove toxins from our body and to maintain our temperature. I am very much for the science and medical science to be sure. So, I agree with you.

But to put up front a prunie little finger and make it the single point of the topic is well funny and if that is the single point of the conversation seems like a waste of money.

You have not commented for a few days; you were missed. Maybe while you were gone did not hear that the USA government is focusing on budget cuts. They have assigned a committee towards this. If the committee cannot come to a conclusion, automatic cuts will happen. Not all science projects will be funded. Tuff decisions will be made.

I suppose you are passionate about the above topic.

inaka_rob - I do not know Japanese. It is rude for you to write in Japanese to me here and I believe you say I bothersome. The other readers here do not get the benefit of your words. Please write in English. My significant other is half Japanese and half Italian and speaks 5 languages. I appreciate all cultures.

Dear God-I-don't-believe-in, Bubba is back :(

---

"Do not offer sympathy to the mentally ill.
Tell them firmly:
I am not paid to listen to this drivel.
You are a terminal boob." - William S. Burroughs

@imdgreatest
*epic brohoof*

@Freh what are you talking about. forcing my opionions? did you even read anything I wrote. I said "I AGREE WITH BV"

you actually read before you comment. I am just tired of reading EVERY sSINGLE thought that tomokiko has. you dont have to type every trite thought that goes through your head. other than that I agree with EVERYONE else on this page.

your being an ass for no reason.

So you are suggesting a genetic reason for this adaptation. That it is some feature that may have been useful for humans?

I do know it has also to do with the water. In one part of the country I can't take a shower without this. Another I can be in a hot tub for an hour before it happens.

@Tamiko - You've been rumbled Bubba!

jamesbrett12, there are those that insult or sarcastic on this blog. They call each other trolls. I immagine bubba is synonyms of sorts to troll. I am neither. I just voice different opinions and other people just feel the need to be a pain.... so what is new right...

Lets just more on. ;)

^^ that is definitely Bubba-speak.

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"Do not offer sympathy to the mentally ill.
Tell them firmly:
I am not paid to listen to this drivel.
You are a terminal boob." - William S. Burroughs

Lord B.V.!

Why is it you do not consider yourself a troll or annoying to others? Are you now focusing on the article. I can only imagine you are just an old man with a face of this finger in the article. Get a grip and put your teeth back in too.

FYI: I am just joking with you now.

I really do think your smart and I do like your comments too. Have a great weekend!
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themoose, thanks for the good information.

Actually my first thought was inspired from those with a low immunity system in their bodies and were force to live in the plastic bubble to stay way from bacteria’s and such. So in this case the limiting factor having lesser bacteria’s was a positive effect. Then I wonder what would happen if this was done to the extreme.