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This was just a thought experiment. From the article:
"Experts calculated how our physical appearance could change under a number of scenarios, including a ‘water world’ if melting ice caps cause rising sea levels. They also considered what would happen in a second ice age."
So nobody is saying this is going to happen. As often happens, sensationalist media sources repackage reports with a catchy headline to draw viewers. The headline is from the Daily Mail, not the researchers themselves. I think you give that tabloid too much credence.
It's a pretty stupid thought experiment. Another ice age is certainly possible, even likely. But a waterworld is impossible. Even if all the ice on Earth melted, sea level would rise only two or three hundred feet.
It's a pretty stupid thought experiment. Another ice age is certainly possible, even likely. But a waterworld is impossible. Even if all the ice on Earth melted, sea level would rise only two or three hundred feet.
While it won't happen anytime soon, if the earth is tipping into a prolonged period of warmth, similar to the conditions that prevailed during the age of the dinosaurs, why wouldn't our far descendants adapt? assuming our line survives, of course. There's no cosmic guarantee...
Science to liberals............... science to liberals.......................
Human evolution, which had been shaped by environmental factors which led to the selection of the "most fit" (best likelyhood of reporduction and perpetuation of genetics) has effectively stopped in modern human society.
Why?
The effect of environmental "pressure" is now zero due to the effects of modern human society. In a true "Darwinian" environment, the most intelligent (and thus most likely to produce high incomes) in modern society would have many, many children. Social engineering has turned Darwin on his head, as the least likely to excel in the modern environment (low intelligence) have the most children, due to the welfare state.
In the modern history of man, we are "de- evolving" (DEVO would be proud) and are becoming less intelligent and thus less genetically "fit".
Science to liberals............... science to liberals.......................
Human evolution, which had been shaped by environmental factors which led to the selection of the "most fit" (best likelyhood of reporduction and perpetuation of genetics) has effectively stopped in modern human society.
Why?
The effect of environmental "pressure" is now zero due to the effects of modern human society. In a true "Darwinian" environment, the most intelligent (and thus most likely to produce high incomes) in modern society would have many, many children. Social engineering has turned Darwin on his head, as the least likely to excel in the modern environment (low intelligence) have the most children, due to the welfare state.
In the modern history of man, we are "de- evolving" (DEVO would be proud) and are becoming less intelligent and thus less genetically "fit".
If you had been my student in my days of teaching college biology - I would have flunked you for this.
Humans have not escaped from natural selection. That's because viruses and bacteria have not escaped from it either. Anyone who thinks that biological fitness consists solely of bigger/better muscles and/or brains has wandered off into a very blind alley.
If you had been my student in my days of teaching college biology - I would have flunked you for this.
Humans have not escaped from natural selection. That's because viruses and bacteria have not escaped from it either. Anyone who thinks that biological fitness consists solely of bigger/better muscles and/or brains has wandered off into a very blind alley.
Hmmm......... Dunning Kruger strikes again. I have two advanced degrees in science (one in medicine).
Viruses and bacteria do not have social support programs which allow the propagation of their genetics, despite lack of "fitness". I may be wrong, but perhaps Obama put bacteria and viruses on the government payroll via executive order and did not tell anyone.
I, Mr. Science teacher, award you an F- for complete lack of understanding about genetics, "fitness", and how exactly external pressures in the past "selected" certain genetic traits.
When you have low IQ, unhealthy individuals in a welfare state producing children at a rate 4-5X the reproduction rates of wealthy caucasions, natural selection has stopped. "Fitness' simply refers to the propagation and perpetuation of genetic material, not the percieved beneficial attributes of those genes.
Tell me, Mr. Science teacher, why are average IQs in America falling and well below 100? In an environment in which selection was still active, this would not occur.
Science to liberals............... science to liberals.......................
Human evolution, which had been shaped by environmental factors which led to the selection of the "most fit" (best likelyhood of reporduction and perpetuation of genetics) has effectively stopped in modern human society.
Why?
The effect of environmental "pressure" is now zero due to the effects of modern human society. In a true "Darwinian" environment, the most intelligent (and thus most likely to produce high incomes) in modern society would have many, many children. Social engineering has turned Darwin on his head, as the least likely to excel in the modern environment (low intelligence) have the most children, due to the welfare state.
In the modern history of man, we are "de- evolving" (DEVO would be proud) and are becoming less intelligent and thus less genetically "fit".
The first bolded is a fair paraphrase of Darwinian theory (c/s).
The second isn't. What does excel in the modern environment mean? Intelligence as such doesn't guarantee reproductivesuccess, which is the criterion that Darwin used.
There is still a lot of environmental pressure in society, but now it's more mediated - or even caused by - human activity. Environmental impacts to water, air, soil, in the food. Social constructs like schools, neighborhoods, child care, crime.
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Call the question
