Evolution

I don't mind being pointed out that I'm wrong (because I'm learning something) but boy you people in here manage to find the most offensive ways of putting it sometimes...
 
Evolution is continuing, how many of us would consider anything that appears on the Jeremy Kyle show as a suitable mate? The end result is that humans will almost certainly split into two species.
 
Jonny69 said:
I don't mind being pointed out that I'm wrong (because I'm learning something) but boy you people in here manage to find the most offensive ways of putting it sometimes...
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Meep, I apologise if this is in any way aimed at me. It's very difficult to explain why somebody has a misunderstanding without showing the fallacies within that thought process. I try to avoid the best I can but I'm aware that it can come across as 'know it all snobbery' at points, which is the very last thing I want to do.

Jokester said:
Evolution is continuing, how many of us would consider anything that appears on the Jeremy Kyle show as a suitable mate? The end result is that humans will almost certainly split into two species.
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I sincerely doubt that, for the reasoning you have given at least. I cannot see it coming remotely close to that except in circumstances that are entirely unforeseen.
 
Nitefly said:
I sincerely doubt that, for the reasoning you have given at least. I cannot see it coming remotely close to that except in circumstances that are entirely unforeseen.
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Maybe a bit over simplified, but the drivers are quite sound from the point of view of genetically fit people attracting other genetically fit people. Successful/beautiful people tend to be taller and more intelligent than those that aren't and are more likely to mate with other successful/beautiful people and their resultant children also exhibit those qualities as their inherited from their parents.
 
Jokester said:
Maybe a bit over simplified, but the drivers are quite sound from the point of view of genetically fit people attracting other genetically fit people. Successful/beautiful people tend to be taller and more intelligent than those that aren't and are more likely to mate with other successful/beautiful people and their resultant children also exhibit those qualities as their inherited from their parents.
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You are right to assert that an individual in the 'upper' class (as we shall call it) may desire attributes, affluence or intelligence, similar to those that he or she possesses. However, that is not to say that the 'lower' class are not subject to those same preferences - for example, affluence is subconsciously desirable as it brings security regardless of which class an individual might be in. Another example - if you strip away fashions and lifestyles, you would find (I assume) that men from both classes have a preference for women of a relatively slim build.

Speciation is a massively loose concept at best, but we can bluntly say that one requirement is sexual isolation, or if not, something else is required in order to make a distinction (typically physical characteristics or a vastly different lifestyle - such as wolves and coyotes). Taking into account that selection pressures are similar (as per above) and there certainly is a flow of identity (and genes) between the two classes of humans (for one, I have seen many thugs spawn from affluent families and some rich yet flaunting individuals are refereed to as 'the new money', not to mention that the 'rich' can and do marry the 'poor'), I cannot foresee a barrier to gene flow occurring. Furthermore, since the lifestyles are so similar and gene flow does occur, it's impossible for me to imagine a wolf / coyote split occurring.

The chance of a two species forming within British society is on the whole less than a two species forming between Europe and Africa. I would strongly assert that the difference between myself and an African is about as far as we are going to get divergence that is foreseeable within the human population. I hope you would agree that I am not from a different species to an African native :p

EDIT - Blurgh, that was a pretty rambling post... but I think the final paragraph puts the point across relatively succinctly.
 
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I have to agree that we are not evolving in a "good" way due to survival of the fittest, we are still adapting to our environment but as we make it easy we are no longer getting "better" because we don't need to. Sure random mutations still exist but just because you have uber genetics and are intelligent, healthy, rich and powerful etc doesn't mean you will have more kids or those kids will not die.


We still choose our mate based on their genetics but you cant be certain that will bring about evolution because unless society split into groups that didn't breed it wouldn't happen.


Either way it takes millions of years so we will never know as technology will allow us to alter our DNA long before then.
 
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i think that the direction of the change has shifted...away from physical - twowards more cerebral development - if you can believe that having watched the much cliche'd Jeremy Kyle show.

so it may seem as though it has slowed down but imo it has just changed dynamic.
 
starfighter said:
I have to agree that we are not evolving in a "good" way due to survival of the fittest

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We still choose our mate based on their genetics but you cant be certain that will bring about evolution because unless society split into groups that didn't breed it wouldn't happen.
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Your post contains some misunderstandings, please see the first post I've made in this thread.
 
Nitefly said:
Your post contains some misunderstandings, please see the first post I've made in this thread.
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ok yes we are evolving, but when most people thing of evolution they think of super human abilities like being stronger or better eyesight or health, not adapting to being better at claiming benefit. :p
 
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