Evolution Since Human Intervention

[Graybeard]

Yes. We have been mucking about in our own evolution, and that of our environment for some time now.

An alternative view of this could be: that evolution is mucking about within itself ... we are just the tool

We do not give sufficient consideration to the ramification of the cumulative effect of these outcomes.

Every action begets an equal reaction.

Not always immediately.

We're learning ... and tolerance of mistakes is a requisite. Life on this Planet has a limited future. All avenues must be explored ??

cool bananas ... greg

[labelwench]

An alternative view of this could be: that evolution is mucking about within itself ... we are just the tool



We're learning ... and tolerance of mistakes is a requisite. Life on this Planet has a limited future. All avenues must be explored ??

cool bananas ... greg

An interesting comment, Greg.

Perhaps we are evolving our own population control?

The authors of our own destruction......

Rather a delicious irony, given that we hold our own species in such high regard.

Mistakes will prove costly, if history is accurate......

As a snowball rolling down a slope may trigger an avalanche......

[Graybeard]

The authors of our own destruction......

Or extension ??

Mistakes will prove costly, if history is accurate......

For every species .. the bet is extinction or continuation. It is always an all or nothing bet. We are in the process of placing a bet for the majority of species and so the responsibility is high. I could argue the responsibility for the bet is not a free act, but just another evolutionary step, others could argue it is outside the bounds of Natural law .. and therefore wilful interference.

But the bet has to be placed regardless ......

cool bananas ... greg

[labelwench]

Or extension ??



For every species .. the bet is extinction or continuation. It is always an all or nothing bet. We are in the process of placing a bet for the majority of species and so the responsibility is high. I could argue the responsibility for the bet is not a free act, but just another evolutionary step, others could argue it is outside the bounds of Natural law .. and therefore wilful interference.

But the bet has to be placed regardless ......

cool bananas ... greg

Evolution, IMO, is a simple response to pressure, or change.

Change in our surrounds.

Change in our perceptions.

Resulting in adaptive change in our biology and psychology over time.

For most of our existence, we have not had the ability to interfere significantly with our own biology beyond modest repair.

Likewise, with social dynamics, until recent technological advance, few among the population had access to education and information. (Even today, illiteracy is staggering, especially in some of the so-called 'developed countries'.)

With the inter-net, the proliferation of real and fabricated information poses a psychological tool of unimaginable influence.

The incredible speed with which these developments have come about, seems in stark contrast to the historical pace of natural evolution.

Yet, I concede that we are a natural part of evolution, which by extension, includes our capacity to interact with our own biology and surrounds.

Which still has me wondering......whether we are directing this play, or whether nature is evolving us in exactly the manner expected.

As you say, 'life' is the wager.

Always has been, always will be.

So, what are the odds and where do we place our bets?

One thing for certain. We won't be having either of yourself or Austin holding the money, lol....

[labelwench]

Competition and co-operation are both strategies that have evolved, whereby species interact in their bid to survive, reproduce and thrive.

When resources are plentiful, or at least adequate, wild predators are respectful of each other and observe a long established hierarchy, and by this respect, avoid the need for conflict and potential injury or death.

Within their own species, individuals will compete for dominance and breeding rights, but there is still a considerable amount of co-operation compared to coercion, in daily existence.

The co-operative hierarchy breaks down, when under extreme stress, and aberrant behaviors will manifest. Fewer offspring are born, they are not adequately cared for and instructed by the parents, and like will eat like. During lean years, Grizzly bears will kill black bears, and the wolf will eat his brother. Foxes and lynx become prey, instead of predator, and all co-operation is lost in a competitive bid for survival.

Human beings, likewise, tend to compete and co-operate, even competing for the opportunity to select a co-operative alliance, by which means both hope to be more successful in alliance than on their own. Such arrangements are seen between individuals, communities, societies and nations.

Compete, co-operate, or combine the two, it will be interesting to observe which coping strategies we elect to use, given that each has evolved to fulfill a purpose.

[Graybeard]

Competition and co-operation are both strategies that have evolved.................................. it will be interesting to observe which coping strategies we elect to use, given that each has evolved to fulfill a purpose.

If you believe we have free will to elect a coping strategy ... In my opinion we will only have a response.

Evolution, IMO, is a simple response to pressure, or change..

You see Evolution as changing when resources are plentiful compared to when resources are scarce. I believe it to be diurnal ... only our perceptions change as we recognise a threat and respond. Response amends our view of change, which we then adopt as our personal thought. Evolution has no ulterior outcome in sight or planned.

Competition is selfish ... but so is Co-operation. If Generosity is beneficial then it is selfish to indulge. Mother Theresa had selfish genes. What is good for you is even better for me, therefore I will do the best for you. I am not saying this is a conscious reaction, because I don't recognise consciousness in an evolutionary context, it is just a reaction to change.

Mystics and other Soft Shoe Shufflers refer to this as Karma, and the Religious see in this the Hand of God ... its all the same to Evolution, serves the same purpose.

This is an extreme interpretation of the workings of Nature CLICK ... lol

Who is to say they are wrong .... ???

cool bananas ... greg

[Lloyd Gillespie]

Evolution has no ulterior outcome in sight or planned.

Hey Greg, if you believe this, you're as drunk as Mickey Mouse, on rotton apples... We as peoples, cultures, and nations have ulterior outcomes in sight, called survival and rational necessities of, which are very much planned evolutions. What planet are you coming from with some of this stuff, lately...? You used to be down to earth...?

... its all the same to Evolution, serves the same purpose.

Did you ever look at this view as it's you who are comparing Evolution as God...? Convolution of statements serves no purpose. Nebulous statements and words are what pseudo-spiritualists do__Come on back down to planet Earth...

cool bananas ... greg

[labelwench]

Competition or co-operation, are both responses, yes. Yet they have evolved in response to .........?????

Various life-threatening, or life-enhancing experiences, would be my best surmise.

In observing a variety of creatures in their natural habitat for several decades now, the remarks made in my previous post are personally observed ones, relative to this northern climate. Others who have lived here longer than I have observed similar behavior.

Whether a threat is real or perceived, humans tend to react similarly. The species which I refer to, are all wild, so I may not be sure of their perceptions. However, when Trappers bring in the bodies of severely malnourished animals, because their natural food sources are in a downward cycle, or affected by weather etc., the circumstantial evidence does not point to a perceptual problem.

Human beings, likewise, tend to compete and co-operate, even competing for the opportunity to select a co-operative alliance, by which means both hope to be more successful in alliance than on their own. Such arrangements are seen between individuals, communities, societies and nations.

I believe my quote above agrees with your observation that both competition and co-operation serve selfish goals, Greg.

Evolution is change, is it not? Genes and memes, our bio-chemistry and our learned behavior, are they not part of the evolutionary process? But not consciousness? Do I misunderstand you?

Perhaps you will enlighten me......?

And why the scowl? The SEG suits you much better. In my opinion....

[Profpat]

I believe mans intervention with man and his environment has increased his intelligence substantially since the plains of Africa or shores of Australia many millinium ago. With our present day knowledge we'll probably genetically engineer ourselves into Borg with symbionic inplants attached to a master computer. Then there will be peace and harmony, but at what price?

[Graybeard]

Hey Greg, if you believe this, you're as drunk as Mickey Mouse, on rotton apples... We as peoples, cultures, and nations have ulterior outcomes in sight, called survival and rational necessities of, which are very much planned evolutions. What planet are you coming from with some of this stuff, lately...? You used to be down to earth...?


Did you ever look at this view as it's you who are comparing Evolution as God...? Convolution of statements serves no purpose. Nebulous statements and words are what pseudo-spiritualists do__Come on back down to planet Earth...

However you see it ... but your post confirms my belief ..... Man proposes ... Evolution disposes

no offence ..

cool bananas ... greg