Are we still evolving?

Prospect (UK) ^ | July, 2004 | Gabrielle Walker

[Nateman]

This fellow fails to examine the source of technology itself. We normally call it progress but it too is evolution, not an evolution of genes but of ideas. Humans are special for we are the means of this improved version of evolution. People are the next level of evolution.

[aruanan]

Are we still evolving?

In the 19th or late 20th century sense?

[skinkinthegrass]

rem: the 1960s' series SF episode "The Sixth Finger."

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[BeAllYouCanBe]

" 22d century Europeans will look like 20th century Middle Easterners "

And they will act and think like 14th century Arabs and have a standard of living (technology)of 8th century tribal nomads. This is what the French want and are heading full-speed ahead toward this goal!

[BeAllYouCanBe]

"Which genetic traits are being passed along at greater rates? "

I would say that since the average Muslim family has 7 children in many parts of the Mid-East then it would have to be reading the Koran?

[orionblamblam]

> 1. The human species will be extinct, or...
> 2. Humans will look much the same as today.

3: Both. A wholly new species that *looks* human, but ain't. Think the "Nietzcheans" [sic?] on the rather dreary sci-fi series "Andromeda."

[orionblamblam]

> Things do not build up by chance, They run down...period!

Exactly! It's like when you have a chaotic mixture of silicate molecules suspended in water... it NEVER naturally forms a more ordered structure like a quartz or amethyst crystal.

Oh... wait...

[Consort]

Everything is finite, including DNA. Eventually it will stop replicating. This could be the Final Generation.

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

Statement: "Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection struck a body-blow to human hubris. We were not, after all, an elevated species, untainted by the vagaries of nature. Instead, we had obtained our exalted powers in the same manner as all other living things ..."

Response: The key unlocking the entire controversy, not science but democracy, equality, inclusion with a large dash of anti-christian sentiment thrown in for good measure.

[norton]

"I'll wager that in 10,000 years when I look down from heaven that one of two observations will be true: 1. The human species will be extinct, or... 2. Humans will look much the same as today."

I'm afraid you are right, but looks aren't everything. You left out the part about hitting one another over the head to steal acorns and grubs.

"Evolution" is based on some traits being better suited to survival than others. When survival means filing a law suit or demanding something for free, knowing where the welfare office is and who is most able to coerce trade goods from their masters; it don't look all that hopeful.

[bondserv]

Exactly! It's like when you have a chaotic mixture of silicate molecules suspended in water... it NEVER naturally forms a more ordered structure like a quartz or amethyst crystal.

Oh... wait...

And a river moves dirt into a pile.

Next you will try to explain how a pimple on a worm became an eye. See, ordered structure, DUH!

[JDoutrider]

Interesting BTTT

[Marie]

My mom and I were just discussing this yesterday. We were wondering if, instead of selecting for physical traits, Western society was selectively selecting for behavior characteristics. Let me give you an example. Women who have less of a tendency to bond with their offspring are more likely to have abortions and limit their families. Women who instinctively nurture are less likely to abort and tend to have larger families.

We were playing with the idea that our culture is selectively culling out more "selfish" genes. Maybe, when a population is thriving, certain individuals instinctively limit their own reproduction for the good of the group.

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

They tell us that

We lost our tails

Evolving up

From little snails.

I say it’s all

Just wind in sails.

Are we not men?

We are Devo.

Are we not men?

D-E-V-O.

We’re pinheads all

We are not whole

We’re pinheads all

Jocko Homo

Are we not men?

We are Devo.

Are we not men?

D-E-V-O.

Monkey men all

In business suits

Teachers and critics

All dance the Poot.

Are we not men?

We are Devo.

Are we not men?

D-E-V-O.


- M. Mothersbaugh (before he discovered J.R. "Bob" Dobbs)

[Hat-Trick]

I just have to get one of these:

[jalisco555]

LOL. Evolution in reverse.

[Ronly Bonly Jones]

My mom and I were just discussing this yesterday. We were wondering if, instead of selecting for physical traits, Western society was selectively selecting for behavior characteristics. Let me give you an example. Women who have less of a tendency to bond with their offspring are more likely to have abortions and limit their families. Women who instinctively nurture are less likely to abort and tend to have larger families. We were playing with the idea that our culture is selectively culling out more "selfish" genes. Maybe, when a population is thriving, certain individuals instinctively limit their own reproduction for the good of the group. RBJ here. Not fantasy, fact. Consider the following from a recent issue of the Wall Street Journal.

THE ROE EFFECT

The Empty Cradle Will Rock How abortion is costing the Democrats voters--literally.

BY LARRY L. EASTLAND

Wall Street Journal OpinionJournal.com, Monday, June 28, 2004 12:01 a.m. EDT

More than 40 million legal abortions have been performed and documented in the 30 years since the U.S. Supreme Court declared abortion legal. The debate remains focused on the legality and morality of abortion. What's largely ignored is a factual analysis of the political consequences of 40 million abortions. Consider:

• There were 12,274,368 in the Voting Age Population of 205,815,000 missing from the 2000 presidential election, because of abortions from 1973-82.

• In this year's election, there will be 18,336,576 in the Voting Age Population missing because of abortions between 1972 and 1986.

• In the 2008 election, 24,408,960 in the Voting Age Population will be missing because of abortions between 1973-90.

These numbers will not change. They are based on individual choices made--aggregated nationally--as long as 30 years ago. Look inside these numbers at where the political impact is felt most. Do Democrats realize that millions of Missing Voters--due to the abortion policies they advocate--gave George W. Bush the margin of victory in 2000?

RBJ here: No they don't, and even if they did, they wouldn't stop, because it would mean acknowledging that they enabled mass murder and genocide.

[jalisco555]

What you have described has been called "The Roe Effect". Some political analysts theorize that it will mean an increasingly Republican electorate as many potential Democratic voters have been selected out by their mothers prior to birth.

[jalisco555]

Whoa! Two minds with but a single thought.