is it possible for humans to evolve any further?

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Heisenberg

Lifer
Dec 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: Mookow
Originally posted by: Mallow
negative... humans have found too many ways to bypass natural selection. There are no longer any selective pressures on the human race. No particular gene really gives an individual an advantage, except heterozygous sickle cell in a malaria zone. I'm sure there are a couple others but not many.

how does have sickle cell help fight malaria?

People who are carriers (they have one of the two genes required) but don't have sickle cell anemia itself are immune to malaria. I'm not sure of the exact biology behind how it works. Something to do with the difference in red blood cell structure I think.
 

JoeKing

Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
10,641
1
81
yeah we'll evolve further. Ever been to one of those turn of the century homes? If so I bet you felt like a giant in a dollhouse. We've already grown a few inches in avg hieght in just one centrury. While this can be attributed to higher caloric intake, it's still a form of evolution.

One catalyst for human evolution I think we'll see in the coming decades has to do with the depleting o-zone layer and the increase of skin cancer. Darker and darker skin tone is somthing I suspect will be prevalent in future generations.

There are always mutations going on in the human genome due to simple cosmic raditation.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
74,725
6,753
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We will evolve if and when we move into space and establish separate isolated breeding colonies.
 

calpha

Golden Member
Mar 7, 2001
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As long as we don't end up like the boogey men in Time Machine, sure.

But like most said, it'll be as a result of our environment, or some catastrophe instead of a genetic leap (not including gene therapy, or scientific enhancements).

I just hope we evolve enough to get dumbass drivers off the roads.
 

Ns1

No Lifer
Jun 17, 2001
55,420
1,600
126
you know what;s funny? i've been thinking the same lthing lol (gotta stop watching akira/evangelion)

but i agree
 

brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
8,659
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I think/hope all humans will evolve to the point where bodies can digest big mac, fries, and a coke without any harm.
 

Lithium381

Lifer
May 12, 2001
12,452
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Originally posted by: NeuroSynapsis
you know what;s funny? i've been thinking the same lthing lol (gotta stop watching akira/evangelion)

but i agree

heh i love both of those, but it isn't where my inspiration came from, it was the "most people are morons" thread :D humans are fairly stupid given our capacity
 

dighn

Lifer
Aug 12, 2001
22,820
4
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Originally posted by: everman
Genetic engineering, and the eventual integration of machine into man would qualify as evolution within the species. If taken far enough, possibly something that could be considered a new species.

i agree

natural evolution is very slow, and we are doing a lot of things that is slowing down natural selection. and it doesn't necessarily give us "desirable" outcomes.

i think our own scientific & technological advances will probably outpace itand is much more attractive.
 

jst0ney

Platinum Member
Feb 20, 2003
2,629
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Next evolution of humanity = death of species.................we are destined to kill ourselves. The robots from the future told me so.
 

toant103

Lifer
Jul 21, 2001
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Originally posted by: CheapArse
*IF* humans evolve, you will never see the outcome :(

Yeb.
But i think we can do 100 M run in like 8 secs maybe in another 200 years
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
1
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Originally posted by: Moonbeam
We will evolve if and when we move into space and establish separate isolated breeding colonies.

I can't hold my breath that long... can I just split in two and me's then split in two and I could have a great pinochle game... be laughing all the time too... life is full of humor... no divorces.... no kids to take to school... just bunches of me.... all right.... I can dig it...

 

Fritzo

Lifer
Jan 3, 2001
41,920
2,161
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I've thought about this before. I think humans have really slowed the evolution process due to our ability to artificially compensate for defects and weaknesses. This essentially negates natural selection, allowing weaker human bloodlines to continue to multiply along with the stronger ones.

I think too much. :Q
 

rawoutput

Banned
Jan 23, 2002
429
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I was sitting outside Wal-Mart in my car today, while my brother went in to take a video game back. I hope to God that there is evolution, because some people need all the help they can get.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,767
6,336
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Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
I say just take the stupid warning labels off everything and let nature take its course - the kid who plays with the hairdryer in the bathtub doesn't grow up to have kids of his own. Think of it as "passive eugenics."

- M4H

lol
 

iwearnosox

Lifer
Oct 26, 2000
16,018
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Do you think the angry mod kills and buries dumb people in his back yard? That's kind of like natural selection.


 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
1
76
Originally posted by: rawoutput
I was sitting outside Wal-Mart in my car today, while my brother went in to take a video game back. I hope to God that there is evolution, because some people need all the help they can get.

What with the scientific state of affairs these days we could just run DNA scans on each person to determine what their potential is for re creating the perfect Youman then using an impartial source.... like moonbeam... for instance we could give licenses to folks permitting them to breed. The male species would of course get to choose four mates for this purpose and settle on one as a wife and pay child support for the rest... the non chosen female species would become single moms so to keep the current economic status constant and few then would become homeless and contiune that chain... now then the ones determined unfit by moonbeam would be beach bums and golfers and the like... only the chosen would get to be educated rich people and pay taxes...
We could start a test program in say.... Montana and if it works move on to Iraq and the rest of the free world..

 

littleprince

Golden Member
Jan 4, 2001
1,339
1
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Originally posted by: Lovepig
No! Humans cannot evolve any further.

If they ~could~ evolve further, that would imply that they had evolved ~somewhat~ already - which would be false!

Evolution is just one more flase religion that adherents are brainwashed into believing. And they must continue to ignore scientific facts to continue to believe in, or at a minimum treat all results from their biased perspective instead of looking at facts objectively...

ScienceAgainstEvolution.org

Browse through someof the back issues of 'Disclosure' online...

Talk about bad science... That site... I think belieiving this kinda stuff deserves a ban, as it de-evolves the collective brain power of the AT community.
 

sohdahere

Senior member
Dec 30, 2002
626
0
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We've been around for thousands of years and haven't changed much...

That should answer your question.
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,767
6,336
126
Originally posted by: Mallow
negative... humans have found too many ways to bypass natural selection. There are no longer any selective pressures on the human race. No particular gene really gives an individual an advantage, except heterozygous sickle cell in a malaria zone. I'm sure there are a couple others but not many.

I agree, but might I add this thought? : Technology is Evolution.

Let's consider a few things:

1) If humanity had no technology, how much of the Earth would be permanently habitable?

2) How much could it be habitable even temporarily, as in migration?

Not much I wager. Fire, construction, clothing, and the wheel are just a few basic technologies that have allowed humanity to adapt. Technology will likely lead us to live in the Oceans and in Space/other planets.

I dunno, I think that if Evolution is in fact true, I think the big question that requires an answer in order for us to make an accurate estimation as to our future Evolution would be, Why? Is Evolution determined by need from the surrounding environment or does it occur for the sake of change?

If it's the former, then other than Males needing to figure out what the hell Females want, why would Humans develop weird Telepathic or other fanciful traits? :D

If it's the latter, then who knows what would happen? We could evolve into Super Cockroaches and acheive eternal existance! :D :D
 

sandorski

No Lifer
Oct 10, 1999
70,767
6,336
126
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Yes, humanity is currently evolving into Homo Californicus, the new advanced human form, liberal, tan and fit, environmentally sensitive and progressive. He is what most of you or your children will become in just a small number of years. But as to what the most advanced of Homo Califorincans are evolving into, is a guarded secret. The first of a kind, the HDJ1 test model, only just recently became operational on line. Us old style humans will just have to watch and see.

ROFL
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
1
76
Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Yes, humanity is currently evolving into Homo Californicus, the new advanced human form, liberal, tan and fit, environmentally sensitive and progressive. He is what most of you or your children will become in just a small number of years. But as to what the most advanced of Homo Califorincans are evolving into, is a guarded secret. The first of a kind, the HDJ1 test model, only just recently became operational on line. Us old style humans will just have to watch and see.


All this and nothin more.... I was happier as a tree or when I soared in smoggy sky with pidgeon-hawk and cockateal... but no... now you're one of them you said... barren wings of clingy flab and not a leaf or twig... even charlie mule deer is all a snicker. Progressive decay and sensitive to the enviornment is what makes it tan...fit... ha! not one bit... look and see it crashing splashing in the sea and there the former me... stately sturdy and secure... see it scurry from the sea.... a rain drop makes it run beneath that oaken tree. When once I proudly claimed to be wise alive and very free you form me into frumpy dumpy liberal me.... all of this and nothin more?
 

Bitek

Lifer
Aug 2, 2001
10,676
5,239
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Personally I think there is a huge evolutionary event going on right now. Evolution is defined (simplified) as the change in frequency of genes in a population. Look at the exponential growth in the human population over the last century (this in itself is a huge evolutionary event.) Couple this with the tremendous gains in our technological power, like the ability to quickly travel (and spread disease) to any part of the globe, medicine, the large population migrations and intermixing ( ex USA,) widespread environmental changes, and there is no doubt there is rapid flux in the collective human gene pool.

The question is not whether humans are evolving. Humans cannot stop evolution, it would require stasis (and even the lack of change could be considered an evolutionary event.) Evolution, like time, is merely a tide we are swept along with. We have little conscience ability to influence it or foresee its eventual outcome. In fact most of its influence is hidden from us and at best, may become visable only in retrospect.
 

bonk102

Diamond Member
Oct 23, 2000
5,473
2
0
Originally posted by: CheapArse
*IF* humans evolve, you will never see the outcome :(

your probably right, which is ok with me i guess, if i dont ever have to see what we become
 

theNEOone

Diamond Member
Apr 22, 2001
5,745
4
81
evolution occurs all the time, everywhere. evolution occurs on a scale that you're not aware of. you can't sit there and pretend that humans are "smarter" than nature. evolution is occuring in the most unlikely places.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
1
76
well... since it is evident that some ascribe a non God approach to the appearance of man upon earth, to the extent that is true then all the elements consistant with that notion thus far developed would support a continued process of evolution if that process is allowed to continue without the intellectual intervention a superior being is likely to invoke. To the extent it is untrue then it follows that since we have evolved from dirt to human in a rather startling manner with the intellectual capacity to adapt nature to our design or adopt pseudo evolutionary changes...like cloths, sun screen, gas masks etc.. we preclude the need to genetically alter our makeup... beside God may rapture the monkey, ape and baboon by mistake and leave us here to eat trees and bananas if he didn't recognize us.