Human Evolution Isn't Over, New Research Shows

[skuthorp]

Read an article in a science mag not long ago comparing our diminishing brain size to smaller brains in domesticated animals, the suggestion being that we have domesticated ourselves.

Brain size is linked to activity, mental and physical, creative and destructive and adaptive, we are very good at that. I read something last week about man's evolution and the coming ability of our science to influence it's future. But of course those groups who benefit from the intervention will be far outnumbered by those who will not. It remains a moot point who, in the long run, ends up with the real advantage as those benefiting from intervention may in time be trapped by it.

[PeterSibley]

Jeff, there are no "groups", we are a species and after a few tens of generations it all merges. Kings and paupers share the same DNA, at least the overwhelmingly vast majority of it.

[Waddie]

Jeff, there are no "groups", we are a species and after a few tens of generations it all merges. Kings and paupers share the same DNA, at least the overwhelmingly vast majority of it.

Then it wouldn't matter in the long run if some individuals were imbued with DNA advantages in the short term.

regards,
Waddie

[purri]

eiiirk!

[Keith Wilson]

Many things matter very much in the short term that don't in the long run, whether the short term is an hour or 100 years, and whether the long term is 10 years or 100 million.

"In the long run, we're all dead"

[Nanoose]

What's "higher"? What's "lower"? Those are ideas we make up. Evolution knows nothing about that; it only knows what works. Those genes that are more successful in getting replicated become more common. That's all.

Evolution knows nothing. It just is.

[Keith Wilson]

Evolution knows nothing. It just is.

Exactly. Evolution is no more about better or worse, higher and lower, than is quantum electrodynamics or the chemistry of boron compounds. It's just the laws of nature in operation.

[Nanoose]

Whaddya mean 'exactly'? Which is it? Evolution "knows" or it doesn't?

[PeterSibley]

Does Boyle's Law know?

[Keith Wilson]

Evolution "knows" or it doesn't?

My, you're alarmingly literal-minded tonight. I was being figurative. Evolution "knows" nothing; it's just the laws of nature at work. (And no, they're not really "working" either; maybe I should say "in operation" instead . . . )

[Nanoose]

My, you're alarmingly literal-minded tonight. I was being figurative. Evolution "knows" nothing; it's just the laws of nature at work. (And no, they're not really "working" either; maybe I should say "in operation" instead . . . )

...quite the week...BUT!, we are now empty nesters! (I think....)

[Peerie Maa]

...quite the week...BUT!, we are now empty nesters! (I think....)

Doesn't happen, until they marry. 'Till then it's Bank of Mum and Dad.

[skuthorp]

Jeff, there are no "groups", we are a species and after a few tens of generations it all merges. Kings and paupers share the same DNA, at least the overwhelmingly vast majority of it.

The 'group' I was referring to are those who will receive any engineering improvements that science seems to be on the cusp of. If immortality became possible next week Rupert and Jamie would be the first in the queue, not you or Gary or Phillp. Genetic engineering will see a separation I reckon, but if as has happened before 'civilisation' is swept away, whether the genetic changes would be an advantage or not in the pool is another matter I suppose.

[PeterSibley]

An interesting idea, I wonder if it would be passed on to their offspring or just an individual "fountain of youth", if it was passed on it would certain be selected for ! Current overpopulation would be nothing in a few generations.

[wardd]

My, you're alarmingly literal-minded tonight. I was being figurative. Evolution "knows" nothing; it's just the laws of nature at work. (And no, they're not really "working" either; maybe I should say "in operation" instead . . . )

evolution is a process

[Keith Wilson]

BUT!, we are now empty nesters!

Now that's truly cause for celebration! Congratulations!! Enjoy it!

[Nanoose]

Thanks, Keith. I can't remember if you two are yet there?

[Nanoose]

Doesn't happen, until they marry. 'Till then it's Bank of Mum and Dad.

Ya, well...we won't talk about the balance on their "National Debt" account, as we call it.
One thing at a time, and I'll take this one!

[Keith Wilson]

I can't remember if you two are yet there?

Yes, we are. They still live close, so I get to fix the lawnmower and unclog the sewer and similar paternal delights, but they're definitely out of the house.

[JimD]