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Breaking news, sex isn't binary in humans because...avocados

131 replies

Fenlandia · 25/08/2022 16:56

Popular Science has tweeted an old article of theirs
www.popsci.com/species-swap-sex-clownfish-avocado/

"What avocados and clownfish have in common, sexually speaking"

A mildly interesting collection of facts about unusual reproductive strategies of certain plants and animals, used to push the idea that sex isn't binary in humans.

So sad to see respectable scientific communicators stoop to the level of woowoo.

The Twitter ratio is whopping now: twitter.com/PopSci/status/1562759034347741184

OP posts:
IloveHolby · 25/08/2022 22:55

Great song @ScreamingMeMe I’ll be sharing that

SudocremOnEverything · 25/08/2022 22:52

I mean why stop at comparing humans to plants. Why are non-living things any less relevant comparators.

Rainfall on limestone karst will, over time, deep into the crevices and develop extensive cave systems. Does that mean I need to be careful how long I spend in the shower?

SudocremOnEverything · 25/08/2022 22:50

Bamboo is a rhizome. Cutting down the stalks, it’ll just grow in a different direction/place instead.

I don’t think that means I can cut off limbs or my head and still survive.

Because I’m not actually a rhizome. I’m not even a plant. I’m not sure I ever anticipate the need to clarify this.

IloveHolby · 25/08/2022 22:45

I had avocado for lunch - does that make me a cannibal?

IloveHolby · 25/08/2022 22:45

we were paddling in a muddy stream this week, my 10yo kept screaming and saying there were snarks in there. Turns out it was just sticks 🤷‍♀️. I’ll reassure her that the snarks are safely tucked up here 😀

BellaAmorosa · 25/08/2022 22:41

The theory that somewhere there is a copy and paste list of comebacks for TRAs is sounding very plausible to me now. Because they obviously don't understand the implications of most of the standard retorts.

UrsulaPandress · 25/08/2022 22:37

Oh @mythro I’m cringing for you.

Thelnebriati · 25/08/2022 22:34

@mythro What is the third gamete that supports your theory?

ErrolTheDragon · 25/08/2022 22:28

mythro · 25/08/2022 22:22

Sex isn't binary in humans anyway bc intersex people exist

Didn't anyone explain to you what sex is?

RoseslnTheHospital · 25/08/2022 22:25

mythro · 25/08/2022 22:22

Sex isn't binary in humans anyway bc intersex people exist

Oh dear. 'Intersex' people, or people with DSD/VSD are not a different additional sex, nor are they somehow on a spectrum between male and female. They all have an identifiable sex, male or female, and an identifiable difference in sexual development. The existence of DSDs does not prove that sex is somehow not binary, that it is somehow a spectrum.

mythro · 25/08/2022 22:22

Sex isn't binary in humans anyway bc intersex people exist

ScreamingMeMe · 25/08/2022 22:12

Time for this song again, I think.

GertrudeKerfuffle · 25/08/2022 22:10

@IcakethereforeIam Grin

IcakethereforeIam · 25/08/2022 22:06

GertrudeKerfuffle · 25/08/2022 21:48

The hunting of the snark...

Proper laughed Grin

fgs no-one tell the vegans that avocados are the same as mammals.

DdraigGoch · 25/08/2022 21:58

turbonerd · 25/08/2022 19:59

I vote for the «humans are like cuttlefish» slogan.
the beta males are all sly, sometimes even lit up like a disco. What’s not to like?

But really, since I don’t have a phd in anything, not even a measly masters just yet, my opinion and vote is simply cast away - like pearls before swine or some such. 🤷🏽‍♀️

Can you pronounce on ANYTHING with just a bachelors these days?
not even obtained until in my late thirties.
what am I, who am I and where shall I go.
Maybe I am just a lowly avocado after all?

Well on Question Time a drama undergrad thought that she outranked a Professor of Gynaecology so...

GertrudeKerfuffle · 25/08/2022 21:48

The hunting of the snark...

Helleofabore · 25/08/2022 21:44

Oh yay!! I can snark away!!

ErrolTheDragon · 25/08/2022 21:38

I think normal service may be resuming on that.Grin

Helleofabore · 25/08/2022 21:32

ErrolTheDragon

I am more worried about the lack of ability to snark on MN today.

Helleofabore · 25/08/2022 21:30

I have a Diploma in Horticulture…. Can I say that humans are not avocados?

Because I didn’t actually need that diploma to tell anyone that… I mean, I really didn’t.

And there is no third sex in humans, and humans cannot change sex, and reproduction is never anything but binary in humans.

Sorry… I don’t have a PhD, but if anyone thinks a PhD is required for this conversation, they seem to have the wrong end of the stick.

sweetgrapes · 25/08/2022 20:54

😂
Everyday is a school day here. This is where I get my PhD!!!
Giraffes, cuttlefish, toads...

BellaAmorosa · 25/08/2022 20:54

SudocremOnEverything · 25/08/2022 19:12

I mean, we’re in finding anything that happens in the world and generalising it to completely unrelated things mode.

in which case, mantis shrimp can heat up the water around their claws to ludicrous temperatures. So I’m just going to wave my hands a bit and I won’t need any other heating for my house this winter.

Fuel crisis solved! You should be in government, @SudocremOnEverything

BellaAmorosa · 25/08/2022 20:50

Plasmodesmata · 25/08/2022 17:21

So that article covers
Avocados
Clownfish (there are always clownfish)
(some) Frogs
A species of tomato
butterflies.

I'm convinced.
Avocados can also photosynthesise so am going to sit out in the back garden for a bit and see if I can make some sugar.

@Plasmodesmata
😂😂😂

BellaAmorosa · 25/08/2022 20:46

IcakethereforeIam · 25/08/2022 17:21

Sex in avocados, and clownfish is still binary. They change from one to the other there is no intermediate sex.

Exactly. They prove that sex is binary. Male = small gamete producer and female = large gamete producer. Across the board, whether hermaphrodites or separate individuals of species. Only and exactly two sexes anywhere you look.

ErrolTheDragon · 25/08/2022 20:45

RufustheFloralmissingreindeer · 25/08/2022 20:04

I don’t have a phd…

or a masters or a degree….

all i have is snark 😳

why god why??? 😩

Don't worry, Rufus, like many on MN ( there's a clue in the name), you've done the practicals on mammalian reproduction, and we're not required to write a thesis. Grin