evolution and the human race

[The Fourth Wolf]

Evolution, per se, is nothing but the incremental genetic adaptation of a species to changing environmental conditions over time.

Historically, we humans, as a species of primates take our current form due to how our predecessors adapted to their environment. Some individuals failed, or were born with certain defects or weaknesses and they generally din't live long enough to pass on the genetic tendency for that defect. Those who succeeded and survived eventually came to be us. Basically form followed function.

As the environment changes some individuals will succeed and others won't. If the environmental changes are consistent and permanent enough to select for a certain genetic trait, or against one then the species will eventually change to reflect that.

With regard to technology, assuming we don't destroy ourselves first, eventually humans will develop a higher tolerance for electromagnetic radiation, and I imagine longer, more slender fingers and greater manual dexterity.

As a side note to this idea, I assert that medical technology is weakening mankind as a species because it, very specifically, goes to heroic lengths to allow the defective to survive and breed.

 

[xrated]

Cities are crowded and I hate them, however I don't think the world is over populated yet.

To help put it into perspective: Give every single human being on the face of this earth 1,200sq ft of property and they'll all fit in Texas.

couldn't you state that is is over populated....seems to me if not all of us have clean water or farmable soil, maybe we are over populated (never mind all the food and water we as developed countries waste each day). I really think without all of our engineered crops, fertilizer, etc we would never have poulated the earth as much as we have. Now I'm not ripping farmers (cause a few on here get thin skinned about it, and I do like my fresh corn on the cob for 2 bucks a dozen ears)/

Chemicals are the same. Technology allows us to increase production of farm fields, while reducing the sustainability of the fields at the same time.-look out ruffy, your gonna get someone mad.

 

[ruffryder]

Chemicals are the same. Technology allows us to increase production of farm fields, while reducing the sustainability of the fields at the same time.-look out ruffy, your gonna get someone mad.

so what is new?

As a side note to this idea, I assert that medical technology is weakening mankind as a species because it, very specifically, goes to heroic lengths to allow the defective to survive and breed.

Spindrifter, well put, I completely agree with this point above as well.

 

[winter brew]

Well, look at sickness and disease. Why did the American Indians get wiped out? Part of it was their weak immune system. Whites have had many diseases and have become immune, as the sick ones have died off and were unable to reproduce and pass the weak genes on. If we use technology to keep these people alive and to allow them to reproduce, then it would seem reasonable that their offspring would be dependent on the same technology as well.

Another example would be how we evolved to eat meat.

I don't know if I would classify technology with evolution. I think of evolution as a change in a species, to adapt to its surroundings / challenges.

Technology, our technology, are our tools. I look at them as separate. Though, I guess you could argue that our technology evolves as well. I don't know where that would put us though..



true, but as a species, the human race, an over reliance on technology will only fest an over reliance on technology for future generations. Is this really what we want?

Like people that can't see. If we didn't have glasses, then eventually the only people that would be alive would be people with good eye sight. If we didn't have medicine, then eventually the only people that would be alive would be people with strong immune systems. Or stupid people, if the hospitals didn't save people that got in accidents, maybe there would be less people that get into accidents?

Though, trying to draw a line stating that it is for the betterment of our species seems rather cold, but isn't that just ignorance?

I feel the evolution/technology thing cannot be considered seperate.....our evolution has brought us almost to where we no longer have the physical need to evolve. We can now create our own "fixes" or "crutches" for our shortcomings.....like you said....glasses for poor eyesight, medications for sickness, drugs to PREVENT disease and sickness, heat in the winter, AC in the summer. We continue to evolve to the point where we no longer have the need to change.
Now if we took away the technology we have developed, what would happen? That's why I think we can't seperate evolution from the technology that our evolution has provided.....it has a direct effect on how we will evolve in the future.

 

[ruffryder]

I feel the evolution/technology thing cannot be considered seperate.....our evolution has brought us almost to where we no longer have the physical need to evolve. We can now create our own "fixes" or "crutches" for our shortcomings.....like you said....glasses for poor eyesight, medications for sickness, drugs to PREVENT disease and sickness, heat in the winter, AC in the summer. We continue to evolve to the point where we no longer have the need to change.
Now if we took away the technology we have developed, what would happen? That's why I think we can't seperate evolution from the technology that our evolution has provided.....it has a direct effect on how we will evolve in the future.

Good points. Is there any worry about being tied to our technology? I mean, aren't we becoming slaves to our technology then? Also, do you think there is a point where our technology will evolve without us?

 

[V-Man]

Regarding over population, it is the next global warming scare. Don't get suckered in and let gov only have further control and direct access to your wallet. That was a big topic in Copenhagen this year. That should be your big red warning flag righ there.

Regarding evolution, do you think we'll even be around long enough to see much evolutionary change? I'm pretty sure this plant will extinct us before we do it to ourselves. Yellowstone is in our own back yards. When that puppy blows we're done. Historically this super volcanoe has blown every 600,000 years. It has been 640,000 years since the last erruption.

Every scarier than yellowstone, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysBJ5G4m67s The demographics of our civilization could also have a major change on how humans adapt. Once again, inevitable.

All that being said, you can't worry about the future, just go ride!

 

[V-Man]

Also, do you think there is a point where our technology will evolve without us?

Nope. Society will crumble, or the events in my previous post will prevent that from happening. In the scope of this planet's existence, humans are a blip in the timeline.

We'd have to be very lucky to stick around and live in prosperity long enough to create technology that can evlove without us.

 

[V-Man]

Maybe so, but how much land is required to clothe, feed, and provide for that person?

According to this site, it is a quarter of an acre.. so about 9 times as much space as your example above, just for food. How much land for durable goods I wonder? like clothes, tools, all the stuff we have now?

You are correct. I never meant that they could actually all live and survive in texas, or that was all the land that is needed for each person to prosper. It is just an interesting perspective that the entire world population could fit in one state and have 1,200 sq feet all to their very own.

This is a big planet. When every snowmobile riding area is covered with houses then I'll conceed that the world is over populated.

 

[ruffryder]

Every scarier than yellowstone, watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysBJ5G4m67s The demographics of our civilization could also have a major change on how humans adapt. Once again, inevitable.

I told the wife about it, and said we need to keep up with the 8 kids. She didn't like that comment at all.... ha ha

Though, that is what China did to Tibet. The majority of people there are now Chinese immigrants. One of the problems with democracy it seems.

This is a big planet. When every snowmobile riding area is covered with houses then I'll conceed that the world is over populated.

Good thing the greenies are keeping that from happening!