Harris’ argument is framed in the context of the Optimal Foraging Theory. This generally states that species will hunt foods which maximize the rate of caloric return for the time they spend foraging. Thus, hunters will only add new food sources if they add efficiency.
Let's plug some numbers in to Optimal Foraging Theory!
The buffalo has 1,000 calories, and the hunter comes across one every five hours. The buffalo provides 200 calories per hour. The bunny has 400 calories, and the hunter sees two every hour. The bunny provides 800 calories per hour. Therefore, the bunny is actually a very efficient food source for the hunter. If he sees a buffalo, he’ll still hunt it, but he can’t rely only on the buffalo. He needs to hunt bunnies too. If he were to add ants, however, the efficiency might go down. The hunter comes across 50 ants per hour and each has one calorie. That provides 50 calories each hour. The time wasted hunting ants or other insects under some conditions just isn’t worth it. |
Confused about Optimal Foraging Theory?
Here’s a clearer explanation. Imagine a hunter could theoretically digest ants, bunnies, and buffalo in his surrounding hunting ground. Buffaloes provide the greatest nutritional benefits and caloric return. However, the hunter might come across buffaloes very rarely. Think about in terms of calories per hour. When he sees one, he’ll always hunt it and eat it, but he needs to broaden his food sources in order to maximize the likely calories per hour. So, the hunter will start to hunt bunnies. Bunnies don’t have the same nutritional value as buffalo, but if the hunter comes across a bunny much more frequently, then his calories per hour would increase. |
Because insects weren’t eaten and they bite and sting, their cons to Europeans way outweighed their benefits, engendering a sort of loathing of insects that persists to this day. The United States, having been originally settled by Europeans, maintained a similar view.
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Fun Fact: People used to eat lice out of hair to ensure they wouldn’t infest again.
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