Tactility: the Ultimate Body Sense

I was reading the new Scientific American about why human developed as hairless and how being hairless led to bigger brains. Although I have not finish the long article, from the neurodevelopmental point of view I can see why this would be true. One of human's unique traits is being able to hold back from acting on the obvious when an authority or teacher is directing otherwise. What does this have to do with skin? Our skin works with our eyes and other senses to form mental rehearsal by the use of what are called mirror neurons. Mirror neurons help us to take on the situation of another and experience empathy. As an example, it is our hairless skin that allows us to feel that someone is "creepy" That feeling would be like something creeping over our skin. Think of how different you feel in early summer wearing shorts and sleeveless shirt after wearing sweaters and heavy pants all winter. You feel a bit self conscious. Self conscoiusness is an awareness of how others see you. Bear skin increases this. Our skin allows us to "feel" more and be more conscious. Imagine being covered with hair and how muffled your skin would feel. And that is the "naked" truth.