Diversification: Random Walk or Biological Determinism?

It is easy enough for us to see that biological evolution will lead eventually to biological diversification. The most dramatic suggestion of this is the trend of diversification following the Permian Extinction: Some would say, however, that there is no trend toward diversification. Instead, it’s only the mirage of a staggering drunk. Is biological diversification merely the result of the random-walk phenomenon? Or is there something meta-evolutionary about it? Does nature allow for any such determinism as this to foster some undiscovered holist principle?I take notice of the evidence of natural diversification in non-living things as well, like rocks. There are several species of quartz, you know, that have accrued over time. So maybe nature allows for deterministic diversification in all of her domains.Or maybe not? Any thoughts?(Biological Evolution please?)”FTF

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I can see Lower Slobovia from my house.

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