Humanity may split into an elite and an underclass, says Dr Curry
Posted on 10/18/2006 8:41:09 AM PDT by Sopater
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Humanity may split into an elite and an underclass, says Dr Curry
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Humanity may split into two sub-species in 100,000 years' time as predicted by HG Wells, an expert has said.
Evolutionary theorist Oliver Curry of the London School of Economics expects a genetic upper class and a dim-witted underclass to emerge.
The human race would peak in the year 3000, he said - before a decline due to dependence on technology.
People would become choosier about their sexual partners, causing humanity to divide into sub-species, he added.
The descendants of the genetic upper class would be tall, slim, healthy, attractive, intelligent, and creative and a far cry from the "underclass" humans who would have evolved into dim-witted, ugly, squat goblin-like creatures.
Race 'ironed out'
But in the nearer future, humans will evolve in 1,000 years into giants between 6ft and 7ft tall, he predicts, while life-spans will have extended to 120 years, Dr Curry claims.
Physical appearance, driven by indicators of health, youth and fertility, will improve, he says, while men will exhibit symmetrical facial features, look athletic, and have squarer jaws, deeper voices and bigger penises.
Women, on the other hand, will develop lighter, smooth, hairless skin, large clear eyes, pert breasts, glossy hair, and even features, he adds. Racial differences will be ironed out by interbreeding, producing a uniform race of coffee-coloured people.
However, Dr Curry warns, in 10,000 years time humans may have paid a genetic price for relying on technology.
Spoiled by gadgets designed to meet their every need, they could come to resemble domesticated animals.
Receding chins
Social skills, such as communicating and interacting with others, could be lost, along with emotions such as love, sympathy, trust and respect. People would become less able to care for others, or perform in teams.
Physically, they would start to appear more juvenile. Chins would recede, as a result of having to chew less on processed food.
There could also be health problems caused by reliance on medicine, resulting in weak immune systems. Preventing deaths would also help to preserve the genetic defects that cause cancer.
Further into the future, sexual selection - being choosy about one's partner - was likely to create more and more genetic inequality, said Dr Curry.
The logical outcome would be two sub-species, "gracile" and "robust" humans similar to the Eloi and Morlocks foretold by HG Wells in his 1895 novel The Time Machine.
"While science and technology have the potential to create an ideal habitat for humanity over the next millennium, there is a possibility of a monumental genetic hangover over the subsequent millennia due to an over-reliance on technology reducing our natural capacity to resist disease, or our evolved ability to get along with each other, said Dr Curry.
He carried out the report for men's satellite TV channel Bravo.
"Egad! What have I wrought?"
In oreder for this to be true there would have to be selective pressure in favor of this trait or in opposition to the larger chin. No one that I am aware of has ever died as a result of a weak (or strong) chin.
Good grief!!!
In the year 2525, if man is still alive...
Lessee... They're gonna be called "eloi" and "morlocks," right?
Right, the liberal Demoncrat's fantasy.
The only thing that kills the middle is TAXES!!!!!!!
Which ones are the useless eaters?
Ouch!!I just spiled my coffee.
Interesting article.May be some truth to this scenario.With the advances in genetic research what's to keep the wealthy from "tweaking" the genetics of their offspring?Ex Height,IQ,etc?
This belongs in the Friday Silliness thread!
As long as we have beer, and bars have a last call, there is no chance of any of this happening.
On the other hand, Oliver Curry seems at least an example of a dim-witted creature. Or is it dem-witted?
There's a difference?
Well, now that the Hitlery and Helen pix are in here, it probably belongs to the all-week-long puking thread. ;')
Now, that's a classic-- kinda like the fall of Greese!
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