Loss of dance and infant-directed song among the Northern Aché

74 points 10 comments 7 days ago
wildzzz

I've always wondered if simply observing people like this changes their behavior.

ljf

We know that surveying teenagers about alcohol, drugs and sex makes them more likely to report that they have drunk, taken drugs and had sex in future surveys.

The question is we're they lying the first time, the 2nd time or did their behaviour actually change.

klysm

I’m highly skeptical that this has been established with any real merit

ycombiredd

I've never wondered until now wtf is infant-directed song?

ycombiredd

oh oh! as in directed at lol.. sorry, it's early... I had visions of... nevermind.

aaronbrethorst

I originally had the same thought. Toddlers will definitely make you invent songs, but it seems a little early for younger cohorts.

olddustytrail

See, you think babies are just waving their arms, but they're actually conducting!

kgwxd

Greendale Babies?

romaaeterna

The Northern Aché have lost the ability to make fire and instruments, per Table 1.

Noumenon72

That table also answers the question I was asking all the way through, "How do you know whether they lost singing to infants or never had it?" They split off from the Southern Ache, who still do it.

Made by @calebRussel