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An evolution paradox

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Author Topic:   An evolution paradox
Dr_Tazimus_maximus
Member (Idle past 3244 days)
Posts: 402
From: Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Joined: 03-19-2002

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Message 5 of 31 (9629)
05-14-2002 10:26 AM 		Reply to: Message 1 by techristian
04-22-2002 11:36 PM

quote:
Originally posted by techristian:
[b]If you believe in PAST evolution, then what do you believe for future evolution? [/QUOTE]
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First Te, believe is not the correct word. Will evolution occur in the future, doubtless. However, without a knowledge of which mutations will occur and what will happen w.r.t. the enviroment it is impossible to predict exactly which species will evolve into what. [QUOTE] Do you believe that man will "evolve" into a passive peacelover? This doesn't seem to be the case. As our new technology gets more and more complex we may brag that we are "more evolved" now , but killers and madmen will make use of the new technology for "mass destruction". Then what will your "survival of the fittest" do? The "fittest" will be the one with the most powerful weapon and the "fittest" may exterminate the entire species!
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Dan
http://musicinit.com[/b]
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The problem with your statement (at least the major one) is that our technology has largely taken us out of speciation by natural selection. And while social evolution in some ways mimics the effects seen by natural selection they really are not the same and act by different mechanisms. And why would we "evolve" into a peacable creature? What aspect of this would fit in with natural selection? Your questions would be good in sociology or psychology but they are not really relevant w.r.t. biology.
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"Chance favors the prepared mind." L. Pasteur
Taz
This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by techristian, posted 04-22-2002 11:36 PM techristian has not replied
Replies to this message:
 Message 7 by Peter, posted 06-11-2002 6:58 AM Dr_Tazimus_maximus has replied
  
Dr_Tazimus_maximus
Member (Idle past 3244 days)
Posts: 402
From: Gaithersburg, MD, USA
Joined: 03-19-2002

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Message 8 of 31 (11301)
06-11-2002 8:25 AM 		Reply to: Message 7 by Peter
06-11-2002 6:58 AM

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Peter:
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Largely though, I agree. Most selective pressures have been
eliminated by modern western life (note:western). [/B][/QUOTE]
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I have to agree, although I think that this particular topic already exists in the "Have Humans Stopped Evolving" thread.
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Te appears to be mixing Societal evolution with Natural (ie environmental and species) evolution. A common mistake IMO and one that has done a great deal of damage to the common understanding of Natural Selection and Natural evolution.
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------------------
"Chance favors the prepared mind." L. Pasteur
Taz
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 Message 7 by Peter, posted 06-11-2002 6:58 AM Peter has not replied
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 Message 9 by John, posted 06-11-2002 1:34 PM Dr_Tazimus_maximus has not replied
  
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