Human

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'''Human''' (scientific name ''Homo sapiens'') is the common name of the primate species also known as the East African Plains [[Ape]], the dominant tool-using [[species]] of the Sol System.  On the third planet, called "[[Earth]]," humans have built cities and engaged in writing for the last six thousand planetary orbits, and have grown to a population of 6.6 billion individuals.  Twelve humans have walked on [[Moon|Earth's large satellite]], and at least three humans maintain themselves in orbit around Earth at any given time. Humans have sent robotic probes to every major body in the [[Solar System]], and they have even sent four probes out of the system altogether.   
 
'''Human''' (scientific name ''Homo sapiens'') is the common name of the primate species also known as the East African Plains [[Ape]], the dominant tool-using [[species]] of the Sol System.  On the third planet, called "[[Earth]]," humans have built cities and engaged in writing for the last six thousand planetary orbits, and have grown to a population of 6.6 billion individuals.  Twelve humans have walked on [[Moon|Earth's large satellite]], and at least three humans maintain themselves in orbit around Earth at any given time. Humans have sent robotic probes to every major body in the [[Solar System]], and they have even sent four probes out of the system altogether.   
  
==Technology Level==
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In appearance, most humans have a bilateral symmetry built around a stack of bones called a spine, that some may lack, with most of their sensory organs concentrated near their single [[brain]] in a pod mounted at the top of this spine. Humans refer to this pod as a skull. They have [[evolve]]d to balance on two of their four limbs, leaving the other two free to manipulate their environment. 
  
Humans have achieved industrialization but have not achieved space flight in any large scale. Much of their technology causes pollution and its effects on the environment of their planet is a cause of concern to many members of the species.
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Healthy human bodies maintain a constant temperature of roughly 310 kelvins. They lack natural insulation over most of their skin, but they compensate by fashioning for themselves artificial insulation as appropriate for whatever environment they choose to inhabit. They reproduce [[sex]]ually, and, like most [[mammal]]s, the female retains the fertilized egg inside her body until her offspring is mature enough to survive in the world with somewhat less intensive care, although instances of apparent asexual reproduction have been reported, one being in a specimen called [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary (the virgin)]].  However, after ejecting the infant in a difficult ordeal (on account of the size of a human baby's head), the female human [[breast|sustains]] her offspring for some time with food manufactured within her own body.
  
==Physical Description==
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Despite having by far the largest population of any known primate species (well over six billion, scattered throughout all seven continents, and under most of the oceans, including areas normally considered uninhabitable), the East African Plains Ape is classed as Critically Endangered due to it being paradoxically too stupid to handle its high intelligence.
 
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Adult humans typically range from between 4 to 7 feet tall. They are bilaterally symmetric, with two legs and arms terminating with feet and hands respectively. Human hands have four independently moving fingers each, which, combined with their opposable thumbs, have given them a significant evolutionary advantage over other animals on Earth. Their feet however lack the ability to lift and manipulate objects with any facility. Humans have large heads (compared to the heads of other species on their planet) and have two forward facing eyes, giving them precise stereoscopic vision. Humans typically are covered in short, almost transparent, hair over most of their bodies but exhibit thicker tufts of hair on top of their heads. (Human hair is a particular fixation with the species. Their hair tends to turn from colored to gray and human males often slowly lose the hair on their head as they age. To the amusement of some, much effort and consternation is spent grooming, shaping, and maintaining this hair.)  
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==Evolution and Early History==
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Humans first appeared on the planet Earth around 200,000 years ago and are believed to have evolved from ape-like creatures on the continent of Africa (although humans themselves have a number of different stories of their own creation and descent). Mainstream human civilization arose around 10,000 years ago in the fertile crescent area of the Middle East. However, humans have become industrialized only in the past few centuries, and have not yet achieved space flight on a large scale.
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==Government==
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Humans do not have a central planetary government. The Earth is divided into over one-hundred arbitrary political units called "countries" which generally share a language, history, culture, and in some cases, ethnic identity. These countries have widely divergent forms of government. There is a central body called the United Nations created to help mediate disputes between countries, but its effectiveness is sometimes debated.
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==Culture==
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Humans exhibit a variety of cultural expressions and mores, although care of young, cooperation with ones own group, and helping others tends to be a common thread throughout all of them. Given their rather violent history, however, it is somewhat debatable how well they execute on their often high ideals. A central challenge for humans going forward will be their ability to get along with each other and live up to their potential as a species.  
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==See also==
 
==See also==

Revision as of 17:27, 12 July 2011

Human (scientific name Homo sapiens) is the common name of the primate species also known as the East African Plains Ape, the dominant tool-using species of the Sol System. On the third planet, called "Earth," humans have built cities and engaged in writing for the last six thousand planetary orbits, and have grown to a population of 6.6 billion individuals. Twelve humans have walked on Earth's large satellite, and at least three humans maintain themselves in orbit around Earth at any given time. Humans have sent robotic probes to every major body in the Solar System, and they have even sent four probes out of the system altogether.

In appearance, most humans have a bilateral symmetry built around a stack of bones called a spine, that some may lack, with most of their sensory organs concentrated near their single brain in a pod mounted at the top of this spine. Humans refer to this pod as a skull. They have evolved to balance on two of their four limbs, leaving the other two free to manipulate their environment.

Healthy human bodies maintain a constant temperature of roughly 310 kelvins. They lack natural insulation over most of their skin, but they compensate by fashioning for themselves artificial insulation as appropriate for whatever environment they choose to inhabit. They reproduce sexually, and, like most mammals, the female retains the fertilized egg inside her body until her offspring is mature enough to survive in the world with somewhat less intensive care, although instances of apparent asexual reproduction have been reported, one being in a specimen called Mary (the virgin). However, after ejecting the infant in a difficult ordeal (on account of the size of a human baby's head), the female human sustains her offspring for some time with food manufactured within her own body.

Despite having by far the largest population of any known primate species (well over six billion, scattered throughout all seven continents, and under most of the oceans, including areas normally considered uninhabitable), the East African Plains Ape is classed as Critically Endangered due to it being paradoxically too stupid to handle its high intelligence.

See also


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