Science Forums 2

[TheBigDog]

Originally Posted by Tormod

Oh no. Another poll on evolution? This is getting a bit ridiculous.

I havn't been around here so long, so this is still fresh for me.

Evolution is driven by selective inability to reproduce, usually by death or weakness. Only actions that effect the reproduction of a species play a part in evolution. It is both external and internal. External forces challenge a species, internal abilities succeed or fail in the face of that external challenge. The survivors pass that strength forward to another generation.

In the example of the bully, if he killed the kid on the beach, or castrated him, it would be the end of that genetic line. Instead he awoke the inner ability of that kid. That in turn made the kid come back and kick bully butt. But in the end no evolution has taken place, because both parties survived to reproduce.

Where humans are separated from all species is our ability to include abstract lessons in our collection of abilities. And to project or control power with intellect instead of just brute strength.

If anything, as we advance our technology, we are weakening our genetic makeup. 40 years ago if a woman and man could not conceive a child the only option they had was to adopt. Now we can get a wooden post pregnant. But that just means that the traits of infertility become more prevalent, and each generation relies more and more on technology to reproduce. Likewise, as we treat childhood diseases that used to be fatal, we add that genetic 'weakness' to the gene pool. The point is that modern medicine is having an effect on human evolution that is making us dependent upon modern technology. I don't foresee that trend ending, and I don't believe that it should.

I guess that makes my pick... 3. It is a combination of external and internal.

Bill