Would it be possible for mankind to de-evolve?

[HappyPuppy]

With medical science saving those who should die due to the Darwin Effect and those same people continuing to infect the gene pool with their substandard mental attributes, is it possible that mankind could, eventually, begin de-evolving?

This idea came to me after seeing another Darwin Effect thread.

 

[ScottyB]

Well looking at Bush I would have to say it is already happening.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: ScottyB
Well looking at Bush I would have to say it is already happening.

DAMN you're fast!

 

[ScottyB]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: ScottyB
Well looking at Bush I would have to say it is already happening.

DAMN you're fast!

Just like Tom Slick.

 

[SoylentGreen]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft

Originally posted by: ScottyB
Well looking at Bush I would have to say it is already happening.

DAMN you're fast!

Are you Scottys girlfriend?

 

[bleeb]

Originally posted by: ScottyB
Well looking at Bush I would have to say it is already happening.

I've seen pictures comparing Mr. Bush to a chimpanzee

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
With medical science saving those who should die due to the Darwin Effect and those same people continuing to infect the gene pool with their substandard mental attributes, is it possible that mankind could, eventually, begin de-evolving?

This idea came to me after seeing another Darwin Effect thread.

It's not only posible, it's already happening.

 

[iamme]

Look at any reality show on TV, and you will see evidence.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Originally posted by: iamme
Look at any reality show on TV, and you will see evidence.

Damn, my theory has already been recognized as fact.

 

[DaveSimmons]

James Schmitz - "Spacemaster" (short story) - 1965, reprinted in his Etenal Frontier collection (Baen 2002)

It's been a staple of science fiction for much longer than that though. Schmitz's story deals specifically with the gene pool getting too shallow, as do stories by C.M. Kornbluth ("The Marching Morons"), but there have been many others.

In several of Kornbluth's stories there are also a tiny fraction of hyper-intelligents who continued to evolve but were out-bred by the devolvers. But instead of ruling the planet the hyper-intelligents spend most of their time keeping society limping along and the "normals" from destroying the planet by accident.

 

[BigJelly]

Originally posted by: ScottyB
Well looking at Bush I would have to say it is already happening.

And your party supports the super scum, by supporting the weak with EVERYTHING. So if what you say is true then you are the cause of Bush. God all you do is name call, which either means you cant come up with an idea or your just immature.

 

[Orsorum]

Of course it's possible, just look at MTV to see it in action.

 

[her209]

Its cool to be dumb.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy

Originally posted by: iamme Look at any reality show on TV, and you will see evidence.

Damn, my theory has already been recognized as fact.

Be proud.

BTW, this is a very real concern, because unfavorable genetic traits are being passed on that were not before, because those who would not have lived long enough to have children are now doing so. This is one of a few examples where I think genetic engineering may be good.

 

[Zebo]

To evolve means a gradual change over time. Impossible to stop change or time. Maybe you mean something different.

 

[MichaelD]

Just look at Oakland CA or The Bronx NY for your answer.

ps
Remember, "The Whistles Go Woo-Woo!!!!!"

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: Zakath15
Of course it's possible, just look at MTV to see it in action.

i honestly think that watching MTV and dropping IQ points are directly proportional.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: HappyPuppy
With medical science saving those who should die due to the Darwin Effect and those same people continuing to infect the gene pool with their substandard mental attributes, is it possible that mankind could, eventually, begin de-evolving?

This idea came to me after seeing another Darwin Effect thread.

sure is possible evolution doesn't necessarily enhance traits that we like. but if we consciously choose... it would be dangerous but perhaps one day it'll become viable

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
To evolve means a gradual change over time. Impossible to stop change or time. Maybe you mean something different.

Are we not men? we are DEVO!

and

since you'll find devolution (biological degeneration) in any decent dictionary.

 

[Ryan]

De-evolution is impossible. Evolution can only go one way. We could re-evolve the traits that our ancestors had, but that would still be evolving.

 

[exp]

I'm going to go against the grain here and say there is no such thing as "devolution". If "stupid" people are multiplying more quickly than "smart" people then unfortunately it follows that stupidity has become a beneficial trait in the environment modern man finds himself in. Similarly, if a "bad"--but not necessarily harmful to life or fertility--trait such as mild asthma does not impact the ability of a person to reproduce successfully then it is neutral and not actually "bad" from an evolutionary standpoint.

I'm not saying we should applaud the ever-shrinking intellect of our species or sit back and allow easily corrected genetic defects to accumulate indefinitely, but let's not blame them on some imaginary process like "devolution". It is still evolution. The only alternative to evolution is equilibrium.

 

[GoingUp]

Originally posted by: BigJelly

Originally posted by: ScottyB
Well looking at Bush I would have to say it is already happening.

And your party supports the super scum, by supporting the weak with EVERYTHING. So if what you say is true then you are the cause of Bush. God all you do is name call, which either means you cant come up with an idea or your just immature.

pwned

 

[vi edit]

The staggering growth of diabetes and heart disease cases *could* be considered de-evolution. In the sense that we are going backwards in health perfection.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: Carbonyl
To evolve means a gradual change over time. Impossible to stop change or time. Maybe you mean something different.

Are we not men? we are DEVO!

and

since you'll find devolution (biological degeneration) in any decent dictionary.

Yaya opinion is the factor here since subjetive critera what consititues a state of worseness or degredation but evolution just is, change/time.

 

[Zebo]

Originally posted by: exp
I'm going to go against the grain here and say there is no such thing as "devolution". If "stupid" people are multiplying more quickly than "smart" people then unfortunately it follows that stupidity has become a beneficial trait in the environment modern man finds himself in. Similarly, if a "bad"--but not necessarily harmful to life or fertility--trait such as mild asthma does not impact the ability of a person to reproduce successfully then it is neutral and not actually "bad" from an evolutionary standpoint.

I'm not saying we should applaud the ever-shrinking intellect of our species or sit back and allow easily corrected genetic defects to accumulate indefinitely, but let's not blame them on some imaginary process like "devolution". It is still evolution. The only alternative to evolution is equilibrium.

Beautiful

This reminds me of my life dating, much younger when i had to get so liqued up to stand the bimbos and MIX in with the bar scene, and now where i have to put on my "willing suspension of disbief hat" on while watching TV or going to the movie. It's all good. Ho hum