Humans may ‘evolve’ to have deformed bodies, second eyelid from overusing technology

Claw-like hands, smaller brains, and 90-degree elbows? It sounds as ridiculous as it looks, but these researchers suggest it’s possible

CERRITOS, Calif. — Hunched back, clawed-hands, and second eyelids could be common features of human anatomy in the future, a recent computer model reveals. The shocking, hopefully tongue-in-cheek report warns that overusing technology could somehow steer human evolution in a direction that leaves people looking deformed compared to what we consider normal today.

There’s no question technology now plays a constant role in the lives of many people, but what is all that screen time really doing to the human body? Researchers worked with a 3D designer to create images of a “future human” that accounts for all of the problems long-term tech use may cause. Though StudyFinds takes a neutral stand on the content we post and leaves it to our readers to debate or debunk, we certainly can’t help but raise an eyelid…or two…on these images. After all, how could this creature be the result of natural selection?

Specifically, they were inspired by a poll that found the typical American uses the Internet for seven hours a day. With that in mind, the team factored in a wide range of scientific studies and expert opinions examining the physical and mental changes that come from consistent exposure to smartphones, laptops, and television. The results were shocking.

Mindy tech human
(Credit: TollFreeForwarding.com)

Hunched-back humans

The research project, commissioned by TollFreeForwarding.com (yes, really), led to the development of the 3D model, named “Mindy.” Researchers predict that office work and craning the neck to look at smartphones will lead to humans having a hunched back in the future. Currently, many people consistently adjust their position to look down at their phones, or to look up at their office screens. Studies show that this strains parts of the body that affect posture.

READ: Best Smart TVs for 2023: Top 4 Televisions Recommended By Expert Websites

“Spending hours looking down at your phone strains your neck and throws your spine off balance. Consequently, the muscles in your neck have to expend extra effort to support your head. Sitting in front of the computer at the office for hours on end also means that your torso is pulled out in front of your hips rather than being stacked straight and aligned,” says Caleb Backe, a health and wellness expert at Maple Holistics, in a statement from TollFreeForwarding.

hunch back
(Credit: TollFreeForwarding.com)

Text claw and elbow problems

One of the most noticeable changes is the development of “text claw,” a new term that describes how the hand starts to permanently take the shape of a claw due to constantly holding a smartphone. Future humans may also evolve to have a 90-degree elbow thanks to the excessive use of cell phones to make calls. This condition would leave the elbow permanently bent at a 90-degree angle.

“The way we hold our phones can cause strain in certain points of contact – causing ‘text claw’ and ’90-degree elbow’ also known as the cubital tunnel syndrome,” says Dr. Nikola Djordjevic from Med Alert Help. “This syndrome is caused by pressure or the stretching of the ulnar nerve which runs in a groove on the inner side of the elbow. This causes numbness or a tingling sensation in the ring and little fingers, forearm pain, and weakness in the hands – keeping the elbow bent for a long time.”

Mindy text Hand
(Credit: TollFreeForwarding.com)

Will humans grow a second eyelid?

Interestingly, the model of Mindy predicts that humans may end up developing a unique defense against too much blue light from digital devices — a second eyelid.

Previous studies have found that blue light exposure can disrupt sleep patterns, leading to insomnia and other health problems. Excessive screen time can also lead to headaches, eye strains, and even poorer vision — especially among children.

READ: Best Photo Editing Apps, According To The Experts

“Humans may develop a larger inner eyelid to prevent exposure to excessive light, or the lens of the eye may be evolutionary developed such that it blocks incoming blue light but not other high wavelength lights like green, yellow or red,” says Kasun Ratnayake from the University of Toledo.

Mindy Eyelid
(Credit: TollFreeForwarding.com)

Tech neck and smaller brains

Finally, “Mindy” reveals that future humans will likely suffer from a serious case of “tech neck,” where the muscles grow to limit the damage due to poor posture. Moreover, Mindy’s skull is thicker to help protect the human body from damaging radiofrequency waves allegedly coming from smartphones.

Studies show that a sedentary lifestyle can reduce human brain capacity. With that in mind, Mindy also has a smaller brain than present-day humans. Additionally, all of these can lead to future humans being more vulnerable to mental health conditions like anxiety and depression, according to the researchers.

READ: Best Fitness Trackers: Top 5 Wearable Technology Devices Recommended By Experts

“Technology gives us so much. Convenience, connectivity, entertainment, and so much more – but there is a trade-off. Overexposure to technology can sometimes come to the detriment of our health, and Mindy is our visual representation of a growing body of scientific research,” says Jason O’Brien, COO of TollFreeForwarding.com. “While the benefits of technology to individuals and businesses are too great to ignore, it’s worth evaluating your usage to ensure your health isn’t being damaged in the long-term.”

Editor’s Note: Based on many comments, it seems that there are plenty of readers who have no idea that StudyFinds does not take a position on any body of research it publishes, as unbelievable as some of the reports may seem to the average reader. The report above, very clearly, comes away with an extreme prediction. Though our writers individually may heavily disagree with or may heavily agree with a story, they must still present the findings to the reader as presented by the researchers. Our content is intended to stir debate and conversation, and we always encourage our readers to discuss why or why not they agree with the findings. We do not receive any compensation from the researchers, marketing firms, or anyone else behind the research for the content we post. We share who commissioned research (who paid for the study not to StudyFinds, but to the people who completed the research) to give additional transparency to the reader so that they can weigh that in their conclusions about the report. If you heavily disagree with a report — please debunk to your delight in the comments below.

Comments

  1. It takes thousands of not millions of years to change that much, by then we will either be extinct or we would have evolved way past holding phones. Sometimes I wonder if these people think about what they write.

    1. This seems pretty dumb. Just because current humans have bad posture and are sedentary doesn’t mean our future generations will be like this. Staring at my phone all day doesn’t exactly change my DNA so my offspring will be better at staring at phones. Furthermore, there aren’t any (obvious) threats to reproduction brought by this lifestyle, if someone mutates a second eyelid they most likely have the same chance at surviving and reproducing. We’ve basically eliminated natural selection anyways.

  2. Well, maybe if taken to extremes but don’t forget how these things aren’t necessarily selective so each individual actually had less likely a chance to procreate the more they isolate themselves into their electronic devices, not more.

    Also, there’s medical remedies and techniques to mitigate such maladies as you age. There’s also already UV protective contacts that could be further enhanced against screen glare to help with sleep issues, but to mention more subtle and gradually applying software that could begin if you confirm you’d like to sleep soon.

    This article/study definitely smacks more of overreaching click-bait if I ever saw one (and you know we all have at this point.)

  3. This isn’t what evolution is. Holy cow what even is this article. Evolution is the effect of natural selection and selective breeding. Why in the world would these traits either make someone more able to survive OR why would people start choosing these traits to be “attractive” so much that humanity would breed out “normal” humans as we know them? You act like cellphones will start literally killing people who don’t have extra folks in their eyes or arched spines before they can have children.

  4. These “Study finds” articles masquerading as science drives me crazy. Felt the need to comment on how absurd this is but many others have beat me to it. Obviously, unless a second eyelid was so essential for survival that humans without it would die before reproducing this will never evolve. The back and neck problems already exist for many who spend too much time on thier devices but this has nothing to do with evolution.

    1. As soon as I say, “thick skulls to protect from radio waves ” I immediately knew who the so called scientists were. We all do.

  5. I think this article is really hot and Mindy is a 7/10, would let her claw me. Those double eyelids are so neat and useful, think about it. No sunglasses needed.

  6. Printing electronics on flexible substrates using conductive and non-conductive inks instead of lithography is beginning to move into the mainstream as the industry grows increasingly aware of the benefits that this technology can bring to myriad applications.


Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *