New Posts For Thread: When Evolution Fails Ushttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_UsA series of rather sad news articles got me thinking about the limits of evolution, while providing a rather sobering reminder of exactly how the whole process works. After a few days of musing, i'm ready to toss some of this out to you for comments.It's all a matter of viewpoint.Another way of looking at it is that surviving species are all really good at surviving their environment and eating their neighbours.http://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=520014109#520014109It's all a matter of viewpoint.Another way of looking at it is that surviving species are all really good at surviving their environment and eating their neighbours.Thu, 24 May 2012 10:41:44 -0500In regards to the Gaia hypothesis, this is the part I can't get behind:"The originality of the Gaia theory relies on the assessment that such homeostatic balance is actively pursued with the goal of keeping the optimal conditions for life, even whenhttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=520011831#520011831In regards to the Gaia hypothesis, this is the part I can't get behind:"The originality of the Gaia theory relies on the assessment that such homeostatic balance is actively pursued with the goal of keeping the optimal conditions for life, even whenThu, 24 May 2012 09:45:35 -0500OCT,Without pushing it as true or authority - if you like here is a quote from one of its formulators as science - not munbo jumbo. Reading what it is - in a science context by a scientist can be helpful in separating the media version from reality.http://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=520009419#520009419OCT,Without pushing it as true or authority - if you like here is a quote from one of its formulators as science - not munbo jumbo. Reading what it is - in a science context by a scientist can be helpful in separating the media version from reality.Thu, 24 May 2012 08:34:25 -0500I take some measure of comfort in that, actually... that nature can still bitchslap us. The biosphere as a whole does such a wonderful job of holding various species in check, assuring that no one species can go completely wild and burn out the availhttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=520001127#520001127I take some measure of comfort in that, actually... that nature can still bitchslap us. The biosphere as a whole does such a wonderful job of holding various species in check, assuring that no one species can go completely wild and burn out the availWed, 23 May 2012 23:25:55 -0500We Human Beings ARE a peculiar Species in many Respects ...Our ASTONISHING Human Adaptations -- esp. our Culture and Technology -- have indeed allowed us to explore the DEEPEST Ocean Trenches, to journey to The Moon and back several Times, to send Rohttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=519994011#519994011We Human Beings ARE a peculiar Species in many Respects ...Our ASTONISHING Human Adaptations -- esp. our Culture and Technology -- have indeed allowed us to explore the DEEPEST Ocean Trenches, to journey to The Moon and back several Times, to send RoWed, 23 May 2012 16:56:15 -0500Precisely. If they live or die climbing a mountain, or diving past 1000 feet, it will have absolutely no effect on the genome. Barring arguments about kin selection, evolution is done with us when we stop reproducing.[/quote]Directly, yes, but what ahttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=519992523#519992523Precisely. If they live or die climbing a mountain, or diving past 1000 feet, it will have absolutely no effect on the genome. Barring arguments about kin selection, evolution is done with us when we stop reproducing.[/quote]Directly, yes, but what aWed, 23 May 2012 15:57:20 -0500Precisely. If they live or die climbing a mountain, or diving past 1000 feet, it will have absolutely no effect on the genome. Barring arguments about kin selection, evolution is done with us when we stop reproducing.[/quote]Directly, yes, but what ahttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=519991049#519991049Precisely. If they live or die climbing a mountain, or diving past 1000 feet, it will have absolutely no effect on the genome. Barring arguments about kin selection, evolution is done with us when we stop reproducing.[/quote]Directly, yes, but what aWed, 23 May 2012 15:05:55 -0500Precisely. If they live or die climbing a mountain, or diving past 1000 feet, it will have absolutely no effect on the genome. Barring arguments about kin selection, evolution is done with us when we stop reproducing.http://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=519990877#519990877Precisely. If they live or die climbing a mountain, or diving past 1000 feet, it will have absolutely no effect on the genome. Barring arguments about kin selection, evolution is done with us when we stop reproducing.Wed, 23 May 2012 15:01:36 -0500A lot of these people are too old to affect evolution. Post reproduction selection is pretty much a null event.But it does raise the issue that an omnipotent, omniscient designer might have done a better job....[/quote]Why would they be too old to afhttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=519988779#519988779A lot of these people are too old to affect evolution. Post reproduction selection is pretty much a null event.But it does raise the issue that an omnipotent, omniscient designer might have done a better job....[/quote]Why would they be too old to afWed, 23 May 2012 14:05:22 -0500True. But what if trying too hard is part of selection? When a large population of individuals tries too hard, a few will succeed and have the chance to pass on their genes.Even among nonhuman animals, there are those who push the limit into certainhttp://community.beliefnet.com/go/thread/view/43991/29133975/When_Evolution_Fails_Us?post_id=519988519#519988519True. But what if trying too hard is part of selection? When a large population of individuals tries too hard, a few will succeed and have the chance to pass on their genes.Even among nonhuman animals, there are those who push the limit into certainWed, 23 May 2012 13:57:54 -0500