In the realm of speculative futurology, discussions surrounding the potential evolution of the human species have often captivated the imaginations of philosophers, sociologists, and futurists alike. Among the myriad conjectures about our future form, one recurring theme stands out: the fate of our hair. Dating back to the intellectual ferment of the 19th century, philosophers postulated radical visions of a humanity devoid of its iconic hairy crown, attributing this transformation to the inexorable march of evolution and technological advancement. Fast forward to the contemporary era, where modern futurists paint a more nuanced picture, considering the role of genetics, technology, and societal norms in shaping the trajectory of human hairiness. Against this backdrop, health advocates also weigh in, offering cautionary perspectives on the potential consequences of dietary habits on hair health and the broader implications for human well-being. This article delves into the historical roots, contemporary debates, and future possibilities surrounding the intriguing question: Will humanity evolve into a hairless species?
The 19th Century Philosophers’ View: Philosophers and sociologists sometimes speculate on the evolutionary trajectory of human beings, and propose striking visual forecasts for future generations. The idea that in the future we would lose our ability to grow hair seems to have first taken hold in the 19th Century alongside the growing interest in evolution. It was “prophesized” that men of the future will have “heads as smooth and bald as a billiard ball” with a distinct lack of hair growth. Strangely, the commentators of the day seemed to think that women would continue to have long and luxuriant hair. Quite how these distinctions between men and women were to be achieved at a genetic level was never considered.
The original idea for this vision seems to be derived from Herbert Spencer, the influential 19th-century in the philosopher. The bald prediction was rooted in his theories of evolutionary adaptation, suggesting that as humans evolved intellectually and technologically, the physiological need for hair would diminish. Interpretations of Spencer’s essays concluded that the cerebral advancements of the human race would lead to a streamlined, bald appearance, emphasizing the brain’s dominance and the reduced role of physical attributes like hair that were no longer necessary for survival in an advanced society.
The opinions derived from Spencer’s views on human evolution seem quite positive for a future without hair. One letter published in 1887 suggests: …”the inference to be drawn from Spencer’s words is rather flattering to the baldheads. The great philosopher plainly intimates that the man of the future who develops mentally and aesthetically would easily be recognizable from his less fortunate brothers by the greater extent of the pasture lands of the domestic fly”.
The Futurists View: In the 1990s, “Futurists” presented a rather more negative explanation for the human race’s apparent bald destiny. They suggested regular injections of male hormones (ie. testosterone) will be needed in the future to maintain fertility and “this process will accelerate and accentuate male pattern baldness”. For women, the futurists suggested they would still have hair albeit closely cropped for practicality.
Some futurists argue that a hairless state might be advantageous for hygiene and health reasons. For example, less body hair can reduce the risk of lice and other parasites. The hair follicle canal inside the skin is a fairly dirty place where various micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) find a home. A body without hair is easier to maintain and keep clean. No hair shedding could be important in a world where cleanliness is held in high regard and/or because it avoids contamination of food production, biological technology development, or computer and robot manufacture. This is already similar to the situation we have today with microprocessor chip production in clean factories, or cell and tissue culture in sterile labs. People working in these facilities have to be washed and scrubbed, suited and booted to stop hair and skin shedding contaminating the production process.
However, hair also serves protective functions, such as shielding the skin from UV radiation and regulating body temperature. The sebaceous gland attached to our hair follicles provides sebum which is important for skin health and protection. So a balance would need to be maintained; or we would need to find ways to replace these hair follicle-linked desirable properties. Of course some futurists envision a post-human future where humans merge with technology, becoming cyborgs or fully synthetic beings. In such scenarios, traditional human traits, including hair, may become entirely obsolete.
The Health Advocates View: Several health advocates also have a negative view claiming that poor nutrition and over processed food could be behind an increase in the number of people with hair loss. A book published by one advocate has said: “Our society has become the great hair equalizer! If all races continue to eat the American diet of synthetically fertilized, artificially prepared foods, those who predict a totally bald human race for the future may well be right”.
This perspective highlights the growing concern among health advocates regarding the impact of modern dietary habits on hair and health in general. The assertion that poor nutrition and the consumption of overly processed foods contribute to the prevalence of hair loss underscores the interconnectedness of diet and overall well-being. The analogy drawn between poor dietary patterns and the potential consequences for future generations emphasizes the urgency for dietary interventions and lifestyle changes to mitigate any apparent escalating incidence of hair loss within society.
While the hard data to prove a clear link between diet and hair loss is very limited, there is at least one study that has shown a correlation between high body mass index and increased extent of pattern hair loss in men. Other studies have shown that that increased dietary saturated fat intake promotes increased cholesterol levels and this ultimately affects androgen production. Potentially this could also accelerate pattern hair loss. Other environmental health issues may also be having a negative effect including pollution, toxin exposure, and chronic stress from living in our fast-paced modern world.
Trends in Pattern Hair Loss Prevalence: These visions of a bald future for the human race have yet to be achieved, but there is some very limited evidence that hair loss may be becoming more common across the world. Some dermatologists report seeing more patients presenting with AGA in recent years, particularly in South Korea, China, and Japan.
For example, a study conducted in South Korea, published in 2010, found a higher prevalence of pattern hair loss in a younger population compared to previous generations, suggesting a potential trend towards earlier onset. Another study identified a higher prevalence of hair loss in people attending dermatology clinics in Turkey compared to previous data, suggesting a possible increase in androgenetic alopecia cases over time. However, this data is very limited, and none of it is conclusive evidence that pattern hair loss is affecting more people today than in the past.
Whether androgenetic alopecia is becoming more common is complex and influenced by many factors. Current evidence suggests regional variations and possible increases in specific populations, but more comprehensive, multi-regional studies are needed before drawing any broader conclusions.
Are These Views of a Bald Future Realistic: In reality we are a long way from a hair-less future. While it’s not absolutely impossible, it’s highly unlikely and would not occur for many, many generations. Changes to our environment would need to occur that enable the development of pattern hair loss in more people and to a greater extent. To some degree this is happening now. Higher chronic stress levels, higher body mass index, and earlier onset androgen hormone activity during puberty could all be correlated to increased penetrance of androgenetic alopecia throughout the human population. But this deterioration in general health leading to greater hair loss assumes that we will make no progress in treating these conditions, or finding new treatments against hair loss in the future.
More significantly, for androgenetic alopecia to become fully predominant in the human population there would need to be a big change in the human race’s genetic make-up. Roughly 50% of the world’s population (around 30% of men and 70% of women) are not affected by pattern hair loss during their lifetime. There may even be resistance genes against pattern hair loss development in some people. In the same way that susceptibility to androgenetic alopecia can be inherited, it may be that resistance to hair loss can also be inherited. To allow genes that make us susceptible to hair loss to be present in all individuals, the shift in the gene pool would have to be huge; a change that would probably only come about through intentional genetic engineering.
As genetic engineering advances, the concept of “designer babies” might allow parents to select specific traits for their children, including the presence or absence of hair. This could potentially lead to a future where being hairless is a common, chosen trait. By studying people who have rare genetic conditions where there is a lack of hair growth, we have already identified several gene mutations that might enable a genetically-designed hairless future. But for such an event to occur would require our understanding of human aesthetic appeal to change by 180 degrees and go against a few hundred thousand years of breeding for healthy hair growth. Currently, the vast majority of people see scalp hair as a desirable feature to have. Cultural preferences do change over time and it may be possible that a lack of hair becomes the preference in the distant future, but cultural changes usually only happen slowly so it may be many generations before a bald ideal becomes predominant.
Conclusion: While the idea of a hairless future for the human race is intriguing, it remains speculative and would depend on a combination of genetic, technological, cultural, and environmental factors. The advancements in genetic engineering and biotechnology hold the most promise for making such a future possible, but ethical, practical, and societal considerations will play a significant role in shaping this aspect of human evolution. In the short-term, we seem to be more focused on stopping and reversing hair loss and encouraging a full head of hair growth. As for the long-term, who knows what the future will bring?
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