Yes, I know some people may not believe in evolution as applies to creation, yet even people that do not believe such a thing likely believe through certain breeding plans and such we can alter animals over time and generations. It is hard to dispute this as we have historically done this many times and we still do it today.
We can thus assume that even if you believe in some form of creationism that evolutionary ideas are still at work today and happen regularly. I wanted to state this up front primarily so creation vs evolution did not derail this topic.
For this post I am assuming evolution as a process is occurring today. This is typically known as "survival of the fittest".
Tie in to my other posts
Today I have written about a couple of things but primarily this post should be considered an offshoot of my post about tools. This post is my first writing about an idea I've pondered off an on for a few years and always forget (until now) to write down somewhere.
Have we transcended evolution or altered it?
In this day and age through the use of tools we have actually I believe transcended many of the typical things we would consider evolution. It may not always seem to be survival of the fittest. We actively work to protect all people in our society and if they need extra help we typically will offer it. A wheel chair bound person is no longer doomed. A baby with defects is no longer left in the woods to die.
Yet it is interesting in other ways as well.
In the tool use a Knife being used as a weapon or used to cut food was mentioned in a comment. This comment actually reminded me of wanting to write about this.
When it comes to us as tool users many of our tools give us vast advantage in combat. It no longer is exclusively the most fit person that can survive. The amazing martial arts master might die quickly by a gun if they are further than 20 feet away or caught by surprise.
Through our tool use we have changed the rules of evolution. So is it still present?
Where is evolution going?
I believe the rules of evolution still very much apply. The thing that has happened is that or society through tool use has transcended the typical ecological system. We have created a new one that is artificial and a construct made by us and our cultures. There is still survival of the fittest, but that has always been tied to procreation and perpetuating our genes through the gene pool. This is still very valid, but what things may lend your ability to do that has changed. There is also some danger or regression here. It is particularly easy for people to pass upon their genes these days and often is pure idiocy. This is where my mind flashes to the movie Idiocracy which while it is a comedy I also believe it was a bit scary as it seemed to be almost prophetic.
I do see indicators that some of what is proposed in that movie actually is happening. Especially what happens within the first few minutes of that movie.
In a sense this is almost reverse evolution... aka devolving. We have messed with the natural flow so much and we prop up those who cannot or have no interest in being productive and these elements continue to express their genes. There have been historical movements suggesting that such genes should be culled from the gene pool and this has been pretty dark and evil. The term for this is typically called Eugenics. Though typically they focus on promoting the great genes rather than telling people about culling.
My main thoughts on this which I wander to every once in awhile tend to spin around how we the humans have changed how evolution interacts with us. It still happens, but how it happens is a lot less clear as the traditional rules of survival that the rest of the animals on the planet deal with no longer seem to apply.
We have also brought some other life forms along with us in these journeys. Our pets and many other domesticated animals also are outside of the normal evolutionary process.
Steem On!
