Summary:
This source “Elaine Morgan Says We Evolved from Aquatic Apes” is a TED Talk, a short verbal presentation given to a select audience of invited guests, found on YouTube. In it, Elaine Morgan puts forth the theory that humans evolved not only from the primates we currently know, but also from some unknown, semi-aquatic ancestor. According to The Guardian, Morgan is not an academic, but she has been investigating this idea for decades (Milam). In her talk she discusses observations that support her theory including evolutionary oddities that seemed to suggest a correlation between the development of aquatic animals and land animals including breath control and body fat distribution. The talk is funny and entertaining, and Morgan seems to win a lot of support from her audience.
Usefulness:
This source could be useful because Ted Talks have a pretty strong reputation for presenting challenging ideas from reputable sources. For my research, this source puts a somewhat credible and very certainly entertaining face on the idea that human evolution could be linked to that of other sea-dwelling mammals.
Credibility:
Upon first glance, the controversial claims made in her talk, may seem unbelievable due to the Morgan’s sometimes intense delivery. Examples can be found in the comments below her video. Here0sJohnny comments, “it's [sic] a conspiracy theory. you [sic] can hear it in every syllable she speaks…rambling about conservative scientists, half-truth, fact, half-truth, more rambling.” Another commenter, ood_Ken, seems similarly put off by Morgan’s demeanor, stating, “This woman is mentally-ill [sic]”.
Granted, Morgan does spend a fair amount of time decrying academic bias, with statements like “Somebody up there [in academia] is issuing the commandment ‘thou shalt not believe in the aquatic theory’…some parts of the scientific establishment have kind of morphed into a sort of priesthood” (Morgan 15:44-16:13). Statements like this are sweeping condemnations of whole disciplines and could be taken as somewhat unhinged.
Despite her presentation style generating questions about her mental soundness, Morgan lends her theory ethos by inserting the names of a few individuals who have widely known reputations within the communities of naturalism and biology.
DavidAttenborough is perhaps the best known of the subscribers that Morgan names; his reputation lends her claims great credibility. Attenborough has been a prominent personality on television for more than thirty years, consistently travelling the world to produce first-rate documentaries on wild animals. According to biography.com, Attenborough’s work, “…set the standards for the modern nature documentary.” The site also notes, “In 2014 a poll revealed that he was considered to be the most trustworthy public figure in Britain” (“David Attenborough…”). Someone with such a sterling reputation being willing to believe this theory makes it at least worthy of some further consideration.
Works Cited
“David Attenborough: Biography.” Biography. A&E Television Networks LLC. 2018. Accessed 27 Feb. 2018.
Here0sJohnny. “it’s a conspiracy theory…” Comment on “Elaine Morgan says we evolved from aquatic apes.” YouTube, TED, Accessed 27 Feb. 2018.
Milam, Erica. “Elaine Morgan Obituary”. theguardian.com., https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/jul/29/elaine-morgan. Accessed 13 Oct. 2022.
Morgan, Elaine. “Elaine Morgan says we evolved from aquatic apes.” YouTube, TED, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwPoM7lGYHw, Accessed 27 Feb. 2018.
Ood_Ken. “This woman is…”. Comment on “Elaine Morgan says we evolved from aquatic apes.” YouTube, TED, Accessed 27 Feb. 2018.
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