Being in water can get one dead really fast. Especially cold one, especially if immersed up to the head. So it makes sense that in that case evolution would select for turning off optimism and on realism, and add a jolt on top.
The question is more “why do we have excessive optimism ?” I think it paid off to make one grab opportunities before one dies anyway of bad luck in a world where so many thing can kill.
Anyways, all mammals have the Diving reflex, that alters respiration (as a whole). Evidence that evolution can and did lead to detect immersion and have strong responses to it.
Being in water can get one dead really fast. Especially cold one, especially if immersed up to the head. So it makes sense that in that case evolution would select for turning off optimism and on realism, and add a jolt on top.
The question is more “why do we have excessive optimism ?” I think it paid off to make one grab opportunities before one dies anyway of bad luck in a world where so many thing can kill.
Anyways, all mammals have the Diving reflex, that alters respiration (as a whole). Evidence that evolution can and did lead to detect immersion and have strong responses to it.