Evolutionary Dead Ends

[ashcraft]

I don't know that I would c all us the pinnacle of evolution. We do have highly developed brains, probably the "best" ever, but other organs, not true. We lag behing birds in a number of systems, particularly circulation of oxygen.

"New species of human"? Would another species evolved from humans be considered humans? An argument unto itself.

Brent Ashcraft

[Auspex]

So do you believe humans would become a different species all together, better adapted to their environment? Or have we reached the pinnacle of animal advancement, physically speaking?

That which can persist, will; that which cannot, will not.

The magnitude and (more importantly) the rate of environmental change will determine the results. The element of chance cannot be dismissed (and this is what frightens people), but H. sapiens is enough of an adaptable generalist (big brains are a big factor here) that we are not really statistical candidates (see "gambler's ruin" probability theory) for complete extinction outside of a real world-killer catastrophe. If the atmospheric oxygen percentage crashes, our big brains (with their enormous energy consumption) will become a big liability, and I would expect this to be the end of the road.

[ashcraft]

.. If the atmospheric oxygen percentage crashes, our big brains (with their enormous energy consumption) will become a big liability, and I would expect this to be the end of the road.

We chemists would survive! We can generate free oxygen from a number of sources. Nerdom would finally win!

Brent Ashcraft

[ashcraft]

I should also add, when I mean most advanced brain, I am referring to thought. Many speceis have better brains in other regions, particuoarly smell.

[bdevey]

I thought this might be a little interesting, to the subject..... Link....The Toba catastrophe theory suggests that a bottleneck of the human population occurred c. 70,000 years ago, proposing that the human population was reduced to perhaps 15,000 individuals.

[Tarheel59]

I know of someone that will read a manual to death before they start a project even as simple as putting together a bookcase. I on the other hand skim it and look through parts and start project mine would be done hours before theirs...I have tested this to be true.

So with this I think some over analyzing would be the undoing of some of the survivors.

Its also a sad thought that the the loss of Power grids would do to a vast majority of earths population.

The one thing that sticks out to me is a Darwinism that fits the peoples that live a more removed lifestyle than the majority. "Suvival of the fittest" Those people that live without modern lifestyles, modern medical, and are not constrained by the dollar (insert your Monetary values here) (to buy all their needs) This would even affect some under devolped countries with dense populations.....Jeff/Tarheel

[Auspex]

Remember that Darwinian evolution, though predicated on the success/failure of the individual, is only applicable in any meaningful way to the subject species population. Though we want to take it personally, extinction plays out in a much larger scale. Time, and the law of averages, blunts the overall effect of "bad luck".

[Axelorox]

We live in a society that relies heavily on science and technology, but where few understand it.

[NSRaddict_1]

Isn't this a new TV drama?

If Hollywood is to be believed we can survive anything and triumph over all.

The Blue Marble has to be preserved and protected, it is the only one of its kind close.