Introduction
Evolution; particularly the aspect that concerns the human species; is one aspect of science that has been based heavily on either assumptions or theories. Of course, this is expected, because evolution; to a large extent is neither based on pre-defined patterns, nor did any of us witness the evolutionary processes first-hand. But thanks to the aids provided by archeology, paleontology, and even palaeoanthropology, we now have pointers to how the whole process was initiated, and even the trails down to the extant modern humans. Here, we would be considering another phase of evolutionary parameters, because by all indications, what was normally a natural event has now suffered mutilations by other external forces (of which "technology" is a chief mutilator in this).
[Image Source: Publicdomainpictures. CC0 licensed]
Before the emergence of tech
Like I made mention of in the intro, evolution was majorly based on natural factors; which Charles Darwin referred to as Natural Selection - and this concept presupposes that nature has a way of taking care of their own. That means; the species that adapt favorably to their environment would survive, while the others can go to hell (for all Darwin cares). Okay; that's viewed as the concept of "Survival of the best fitted", as seen in Darwin's book - Origin of species. To the major part of the evolutionary course, the principle of natural selection has been a major force, but we need to take a little time-travel back. Our ancient grandpas evolved from some weird-looking ape-like creatures; of which Australopithecus was a major breakthrough in this, which also had many subspecies. Then subsequently, they evolved to the Homo habilis (Handy man), and the Pithecanthropus erectus (Homo erectus) [ref]. Though there is possibility of transitional fossils in-between, because the entire earth hasn't been excavated (yet) in search of missing fossils.
But the truth is, nature favoured the survival of those species (like the Homo habilis et al), and that was why they didn't just die out like the host of others, but evolved down the line. Well, that's exactly the principle of the workings of "natural selection" - if you would agree with me.
But looking at that very scenario remotely, I'm sure you know why the specie; Homo habilis; was nicknamed "the Handy man"? Of course; based on paleontological analysis; they made use of tools. And some of these tools were also exhumed alongside their fossils. Come to think of this; the other species that died out weren't recorded to have utilized tools. That means; the tools somewhat gave the Homo habilis some edge and a fair chance of surviving through to evolve into the subsequent species. Now, hasn't "tool making" (ancient technology; as the case may be) mutilated the normal process of evolution? Well, just hang on for more examples.
[Crude stone tools used by our grandpas. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain licensed]
Up the line
I'm sure you're already aware that the extant modern human is the "Homo sapiens sapiens", and not just "Homo sapiens". Reasons being that some other subspecies of the specie; Homo sapiens; have been uncovered, like the Homo sapiens Idaltu, the Homo sapiens neanderthalensis, and even the Homo sapiens rhodesiensis [ref] and also we have evolved a little further from the Homo sapiens (which is by interpretation; "thinking man") to the extant modern humans. But looking at this holistically, it was discovered that our immediate past ancestor; the Homo sapiens; had a mutual co-existence together with the Neanderthals [ref] - I'm sure this is getting weird. So if we were present together with them, why then did we make it to the present time, but they didn't?
Okay here's the point: The Neanderthals; based on this report had a fairer advantage, if faced up with the Homo sapiens for a physical combat; judging from their fossils; which indicated stronger biceps and triceps, and even the pelvic bones. Clearly, they've got the strength (but Homo sapiens got the adaptability), and yeah! evolution is not majorly based on physicalities, and this is why it is inferred that some other factors are remotely in apposition with the normal trend of evolution. So let's consider this force in detail - the force of technology
Tech; unleashed
All these instances of tool-making we considered; even though could suffice as technology; but they were very crude in nature. But in this era, we've been witnessing outburst of technological advancements. So what has this technology done to the evolutionary process of humans? A particular exposition was made by Dr Ray Kurzweil, that the rate of evolution has been sped up many thousand times in this era, and that can largely be attributed to the force of technology [ref].
[Image of what is happening now in evolution. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Fonytas. CC BY-SA 4.0 licensed]
Maybe this would give you a little insight: Our bodies get adapted to the changes in the environment where we exist in. And of course; evolution is nothing more than series of these adaptative changes (either natural or induced) that ensures the survival and sustainability of an organism, and encourages speciation. Well, maybe we can thank our bodies' neuroplastic abilities for this. Take this example: The world; no doubt; is getting more and more noisy than we've ever experienced - cars horning, machines hitting against stuffs, and all whatnot. But it's been observed that the dwellers in those noisy regions have evolved with something to help them still maintain sanity in the midst of the insane noise; and that is "selective hearing ability" - What is this all about? Just like your electronic Home Theatre is built to filter noise - in the same way; their hearing mechanism has evolved to selectively filter off nasty noise; while consolidating on the useful sounds [ref]. Could this also be explained by Jean Baptiste Lamarck's theory of "Use and Disuse"? Which indicates that we tend to consolidate on the features we need and use quite often. Or is it purely a technologically induced evolution?
Okay let's look at another scenario: The ancient grandpa of modern man that evolved before the Australopithecus; which is the Sahalantropus (looked very much like Ape) was almost covered in dense mass of hairs. Of course, these hairs were needed by these species to act as a form of insulation, and they were able to pass through the bone-chilling colds; even the ice ages (I'm sure you know they didn't have winter jackets, so they relied on nature - the hair). But in this era, we've got heating technology, insulative covering, and all whatnot. It is not surprising that we are not as hairy as grandpas. And maybe, in the future, we could even lose more hairs or probably become bald. I mean, why do we even need dense mass of hair when the earth is getting hotter, and coupled with our other heating techs? Tech wins again here - by charting the course of the evolution of hairlessness in humans.
[Sahelanthropus with dense mass of hair. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: The Carlagas. CC BY-SA 3.0 licensed]
Okay one more example: Some of our ancestors were highly muscular; as evidenced from their fossil analysis. Well, they didn't have much assistance from tech. But now we've got machines to assist us, and that has further increased our reliance on technological aids - No wonder humans have been seen to lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle, and we could further evolve with weaker muscles. Why da heck do we need a Hulk-Hogan-kind-of-muscles when we would not even put shit to work? I guess tech wins again. So you see, even though evolution was majorly based on natural factors, the advent of technology has created obvious flaws in the overall evolutionary process. Hail technology!!
Conclusion
How do we look at evolution? Maybe as a natural process right? But have you ever considered technology forming a major part of evolution? Do we still call this "evolution", or technovolution? (technology-induced evolution). I guess you already know the answer.
Thanks for reading
References for further reading:
- Evolution of Australopithecus and homo habilis - creation.com
- Existence of neanderthals
- Evolution and technology
- Nature.com/earliest hominid species
- Loss of hair as we evolved
- Humans - the hairless primate
All images are CC licensed and are linked to their sources
