Cleric (Monday, 19 Mar 2012) ReplyTo avoid natural selection, select a hamburger instead.
American (Monday, 19 Mar 2012) ReplyI always choke on a hotdog! That is why I am fat!
the natural selection (Monday, 19 Mar 2012) Replysurvival of the fittest depend on not selecting hotdogs.
Hot Dog (Monday, 19 Mar 2012) ReplyYou DO know what they put in them things, right?
And Now You Know (Tuesday, 20 Mar 2012) ReplyThe ability to actually choke on food is, believe it or not, something that is pretty unique to humans. Other animals have a soft palate that extends all the way back to cover their epiglottis, connecting their nasal passage to the trachea while also separating it from their esophagus, so they can breathe through their nose while eating!
Humans on the other hand NEED their nasal passage and oral cavity to be connected to each other because the more spacious pharynx (the back of your throat) lets us form the complex vocal sounds that are needed for language. Unfortunately, it also makes it a lot easier for us to choke on food.
A lot of adaptations in evolution come with trade-offs, this case is no exception.