evolution

[AndrewT]

Things evolve to better make use of their environment. However, humans have reached a technological level whereby we adapt the environment to our needs, so we don't need to evolve.

For example, say global warming really kicks in and the sea levels rise to cover all the land. If a land animal wants to survive, it will have to adapt to a more sea-friendly form. Humans won't, because we'll simply come up with a technological solution (cities under the sea, move to another planet etc). Evolution is far too slow to affect us today.

[fearisthekey]

Things evolve to better make use of their environment. However, humans have reached a technological level whereby we adapt the environment to our needs, so we don't need to evolve.

For example, say global warming really kicks in and the sea levels rise to cover all the land. If a land animal wants to survive, it will have to adapt to a more sea-friendly form. Humans won't, because we'll simply come up with a technological solution (cities under the sea, move to another planet etc). Evolution is far too slow to affect us today.

As part of a media bs course I once did I drew the short straw I had to present on 'The Manifesto of the Monster Raving Loony Party'. Will never forget it (this is a genuine item they were pushing for):

-Kill all whales thus lowering sea levels to reduce the global impact.

They didn't get many votes.

[kinboshi]

Things evolve to better make use of their environment. However, humans have reached a technological level whereby we adapt the environment to our needs, so we don't need to evolve.

For example, say global warming really kicks in and the sea levels rise to cover all the land. If a land animal wants to survive, it will have to adapt to a more sea-friendly form. Humans won't, because we'll simply come up with a technological solution (cities under the sea, move to another planet etc). Evolution is far too slow to affect us today.

This might not hold true for Titus Bramble though.

[Ironside]

Things evolve to better make use of their environment. However, humans have reached a technological level whereby we adapt the environment to our needs, so we don't need to evolve.

For example, say global warming really kicks in and the sea levels rise to cover all the land. If a land animal wants to survive, it will have to adapt to a more sea-friendly form. Humans won't, because we'll simply come up with a technological solution (cities under the sea, move to another planet etc). Evolution is far too slow to affect us today.

As part of a media bs course I once did I drew the short straw I had to present on 'The Manifesto of the Monster Raving Loony Party'. Will never forget it (this is a genuine item they were pushing for):

-Kill all whales thus lowering sea levels to reduce the global impact.

They didn't get many votes.

and whats wrong with that policy

btw i helped on there manifesto


my highlight was lowering the buttons on pedistrain crossings so hedgehogs can use them safely

[Eyeofsauron]

There have already been several species of humans, many of which looked and behaved radically different from ourselves. Out of all those, we certainly weren't the strongest or the most intelligent. Perhaps our success lies in our aggressive and selfish nature, both against ourselves and the habitat we live in. Our "success" and all of our achievements may merely be a flash in the pan. On evolutionary terms, we've only just appeared on the scene, compared to the earth's long history. Look how much damage we've already done.

People often mistakenly think that evolution follows a certain path, as though it has a purpose or direction, and that species which survive today, are superior to past extinct forms. Life simply has one objective; to continue. As the earth's environment changes, as it has done since it's conception, life has evolved to fill every crevice, on land, sea and air.

Long after the human race has wiped itself off the face of the planet, taking with it countless other species, life will still continue to thrive and evolve unabated, even if that life takes on a microscopic form.

[fearisthekey]

There have already been several species of humans, many of which looked and behaved radically different from ourselves. Out of all those, we certainly weren't the strongest or the most intelligent. Perhaps our success lies in our aggressive and selfish nature, both against ourselves and the habitat we live in. Our "success" and all of our achievements may merely be a flash in the pan. On evolutionary terms, we've only just appeared on the scene, compared to the earth's long history. Look how much damage we've already done.

People often mistakenly think that evolution follows a certain path, as though it has a purpose or direction, and that species which survive today, are superior to past extinct forms. Life simply has one objective; to continue. As the earth's environment changes, as it has done since it's conception, life has evolved to fill every crevice, on land, sea and air.

Long after the human race has wiped itself off the face of the planet, taking with it countless other species, life will still continue to thrive and evolve unabated, even if that life takes on a microscopic form.

I certainly think we are the most intelligent, no? Neanderthal had a bigger overall brain, but I think we are more intelligent. Just look at the interweb. Neanderthalus, it is believed, never even progressed beyond ZX81s.

I do agree that life *continues*, because that is the stuff it is made of and comes from: replicators. But it does have a sort of direction. Mutations are random, but natural selection is not: take the strong, leave the weak.

[kinboshi]

There have already been several species of humans, many of which looked and behaved radically different from ourselves. Out of all those, we certainly weren't the strongest or the most intelligent. Perhaps our success lies in our aggressive and selfish nature, both against ourselves and the habitat we live in. Our "success" and all of our achievements may merely be a flash in the pan. On evolutionary terms, we've only just appeared on the scene, compared to the earth's long history. Look how much damage we've already done.

People often mistakenly think that evolution follows a certain path, as though it has a purpose or direction, and that species which survive today, are superior to past extinct forms. Life simply has one objective; to continue. As the earth's environment changes, as it has done since it's conception, life has evolved to fill every crevice, on land, sea and air.

Long after the human race has wiped itself off the face of the planet, taking with it countless other species, life will still continue to thrive and evolve unabated, even if that life takes on a microscopic form.

You could certainly argue that microscopic organisms are in fact the most successful lifeforms on the planet.  Bacteria are certainly the most abundant, and thrive in all environments.

There is nothing 'special' about humans.  We just happen to be the most intelligent on the planet - but life will continue if we are gone, and we have no divine right to thrive.  Like you said - evolution follows no path - except for the one it happens to choose.  This is shaped by the environment life finds itself in.  Life is how it is because of the environment that shaped it. 

[fearisthekey]

There have already been several species of humans, many of which looked and behaved radically different from ourselves. Out of all those, we certainly weren't the strongest or the most intelligent. Perhaps our success lies in our aggressive and selfish nature, both against ourselves and the habitat we live in. Our "success" and all of our achievements may merely be a flash in the pan. On evolutionary terms, we've only just appeared on the scene, compared to the earth's long history. Look how much damage we've already done.

People often mistakenly think that evolution follows a certain path, as though it has a purpose or direction, and that species which survive today, are superior to past extinct forms. Life simply has one objective; to continue. As the earth's environment changes, as it has done since it's conception, life has evolved to fill every crevice, on land, sea and air.

Long after the human race has wiped itself off the face of the planet, taking with it countless other species, life will still continue to thrive and evolve unabated, even if that life takes on a microscopic form.

You could certainly argue that microscopic organisms are in fact the most successful lifeforms on the planet.  Bacteria are certainly the most abundant, and thrive in all environments.

There is nothing 'special' about humans.  We just happen to be the most intelligent on the planet - but life will continue if we are gone, and we have no divine right to thrive.  Like you said - evolution follows no path - except for the one it happens to choose.  This is shaped by the environment life finds itself in.  Life is how it is because of the environment that shaped it. 

We are one of only two species out of millions on the planet, that are not tied by their genetic code, or limited to what it passes from generation to generation.

[kinboshi]

There have already been several species of humans, many of which looked and behaved radically different from ourselves. Out of all those, we certainly weren't the strongest or the most intelligent. Perhaps our success lies in our aggressive and selfish nature, both against ourselves and the habitat we live in. Our "success" and all of our achievements may merely be a flash in the pan. On evolutionary terms, we've only just appeared on the scene, compared to the earth's long history. Look how much damage we've already done.

People often mistakenly think that evolution follows a certain path, as though it has a purpose or direction, and that species which survive today, are superior to past extinct forms. Life simply has one objective; to continue. As the earth's environment changes, as it has done since it's conception, life has evolved to fill every crevice, on land, sea and air.

Long after the human race has wiped itself off the face of the planet, taking with it countless other species, life will still continue to thrive and evolve unabated, even if that life takes on a microscopic form.

You could certainly argue that microscopic organisms are in fact the most successful lifeforms on the planet.  Bacteria are certainly the most abundant, and thrive in all environments.

There is nothing 'special' about humans.  We just happen to be the most intelligent on the planet - but life will continue if we are gone, and we have no divine right to thrive.  Like you said - evolution follows no path - except for the one it happens to choose.  This is shaped by the environment life finds itself in.  Life is how it is because of the environment that shaped it. 

We are one of only two species out of millions on the planet, that are not tied by their genetic code, or limited to what it passes from generation to generation.

Not sure what you mean - but you might be referring to the artificial environment that we've created for ourselves via our scientific advances. 

That however, is a temporary situation and as I mentioned earlier, environmental influences will eventually come into play and this will dramatically affect the population of humans.

We've only had dominion for a few millions years.  The dinosaurs enjoyed far longer than that, and they came to a sticky end - and a rather abrupt one.

[fearisthekey]

Culture. It's part of the chimp/human niche. It's the main reason for our advance, and nothing else really has it. You pass more information between generations, than just what's held in your genes. It's transforming.

[kinboshi]

Culture. It's part of the chimp/human niche. It's the main reason for our advance, and nothing else really has it. You pass more information between generations, than just what's held in your genes. It's transforming.

But it's artificial.  We are controlling environmental influences, but the extent we can do that has its limits.  Eventually (as I mentioned earlier), the human population will reach a level where a 'disaster' is required to reduce the population to a sustainable level.  A pandemic, climate change, or even a man-made catastrophe will have to come into play.  Of course, the alternative is finding somewhere else for humans to live.  But I don't think Mars is quite ready yet.

[tikay]

Culture. It's part of the chimp/human niche. It's the main reason for our advance, and nothing else really has it. You pass more information between generations, than just what's held in your genes. It's transforming.

But it's artificial.  We are controlling environmental influences, but the extent we can do that has its limits.  Eventually (as I mentioned earlier), the human population will reach a level where a 'disaster' is required to reduce the population to a sustainable level.  A pandemic, climate change, or even a man-made catastrophe will have to come into play.  Of course, the alternative is finding somewhere else for humans to live.  But I don't think Mars is quite ready yet.

The pandemic, or diaster, you hint of, could well come from somewhere we least expect.

If, say, some sort of virus came along & killed bacteria, which are the things that keep us alive & well, well, we'd all be dead within days. Every last one of us.

Gotta love bacteria. Be nice to them.

[fearisthekey]

Culture. It's part of the chimp/human niche. It's the main reason for our advance, and nothing else really has it. You pass more information between generations, than just what's held in your genes. It's transforming.

But it's artificial.  We are controlling environmental influences, but the extent we can do that has its limits.  Eventually (as I mentioned earlier), the human population will reach a level where a 'disaster' is required to reduce the population to a sustainable level.  A pandemic, climate change, or even a man-made catastrophe will have to come into play.  Of course, the alternative is finding somewhere else for humans to live.  But I don't think Mars is quite ready yet.

The pandemic, or diaster, you hint of, could well come from somewhere we least expect.

If, say, some sort of virus came along & killed bacteria, which are the things that keep us alive & well, well, we'd all be dead within days. Every last one of us.

Gotta love bacteria. Be nice to them.

I have a supply of Activia yoghurts in my fridge, for this very eventuality.

[kinboshi]

Culture. It's part of the chimp/human niche. It's the main reason for our advance, and nothing else really has it. You pass more information between generations, than just what's held in your genes. It's transforming.

But it's artificial.  We are controlling environmental influences, but the extent we can do that has its limits.  Eventually (as I mentioned earlier), the human population will reach a level where a 'disaster' is required to reduce the population to a sustainable level.  A pandemic, climate change, or even a man-made catastrophe will have to come into play.  Of course, the alternative is finding somewhere else for humans to live.  But I don't think Mars is quite ready yet.

The pandemic, or diaster, you hint of, could well come from somewhere we least expect.

If, say, some sort of virus came along & killed bacteria, which are the things that keep us alive & well, well, we'd all be dead within days. Every last one of us.

Gotta love bacteria. Be nice to them.

I have a supply of Activia yoghurts in my fridge, for this very eventuality.

Which contain Lactobacillus plus Marketeerskechingbacterium

[fearisthekey]

Culture. It's part of the chimp/human niche. It's the main reason for our advance, and nothing else really has it. You pass more information between generations, than just what's held in your genes. It's transforming.

But it's artificial.  We are controlling environmental influences, but the extent we can do that has its limits.  Eventually (as I mentioned earlier), the human population will reach a level where a 'disaster' is required to reduce the population to a sustainable level.  A pandemic, climate change, or even a man-made catastrophe will have to come into play.  Of course, the alternative is finding somewhere else for humans to live.  But I don't think Mars is quite ready yet.

The pandemic, or diaster, you hint of, could well come from somewhere we least expect.

If, say, some sort of virus came along & killed bacteria, which are the things that keep us alive & well, well, we'd all be dead within days. Every last one of us.

Gotta love bacteria. Be nice to them.

I have a supply of Activia yoghurts in my fridge, for this very eventuality.

Which contain Lactobacillus plus Marketeerskechingbacterium

lol mmm danone

found even more reasons to go vegetarian

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