What would be an interesting exercise is seeing how many people talking about this actually know what Evolution entails. Not the details, but at least the scope.
They didn't "create life," they used a living cell then removed DNA and added DNA. In layman's terms, they changed the traits of the cell, they didn't create it.
That is not the theory of evolution. The theory of evolution is a purely genetic concept, it isn't romanticised to have anything to do with how we use technology or anything else.
Doesn't using technology and tools facilitate certain part of the brain and at the same time it reduces our reliance on physical attributes? Over a long period of time, people could evolve down a totally different path.
Using tools, writing songs, going to space, eating chicken nuggets- none of it has anything to do with the theory of evolution. It is the passage of our genes to the next generation and the random mutations that bring about a fitter version of X that is better suited for it's environment. My son being able to build a more fuel efficient car than I can, or my great great great granddaughter being able to to use her hoverbike to get to space school is not evolution.
So your saying the if you have thousands of generations of people sitting around a computer and doing no exercise will evolve in the same way that a bunch of hunters and farmers tilting the soil will evolve? we have lost our tail because we no longer use it is just one example of people evolving from primates, we still have the gene in our system, as there are rare cases of people born with tails.
Your concept of what evolution is is wrong. Your actions do not effect what genes you pass on to your kids. Try looking at it like this, if this was 2 bagazillion years ago, and we needed to hunt to get food, the dude who was born taller, stronger, better able to take down a buffalo, would be getting all the ass. He gets to mate and those like him get to mate. The traits that he has, (that are purely genetic) get to go on to the next generation. The weak guy probably stays a virgin and those genes that made him a weak, undesirable male, unsuited for his environment die with him.
True. I would like to know more about it myself I often try to see where the line between Evolution and Adaptation is. Rocket River
I didn't see this tail thing. You're half right, but evolution isn't a use it or lose it concept, we lost our tails because those born without tails did more smashing. You have an appendix that doesn't really do you any good, but it's not going to magically go away because we aren't using it.
I realize you might just be trying to troll here, but... You don't really believe that do you? I've seen and participated in a few real life atheist vs theist debates, and this line has never shut anyone up.
What was the most recent evolutionary step for humanity? I mean, At what point in human history could I look at a human from that time frame .. . . and look at a modern human . . and tell a significant evolutionary step was made between those times. Rocket River
Yes, passing of the gene is of course the central part of evolution, but genes are not static, if most of the people start using their brain more and physical attributes less, you don't think our genes will start to change to cope with the new environment? Like I said, we haven't lost the tail genes completely, but it is no longer a visible trait in vast majority of humans.
You can adapt in your lifetime, evolution takes a generation. YOU can adapt. YOU cannot evolve, your species can.
So . .. genetically speaking . . .We are different than people around Christ's time [2000 yrs ago] In what way? That is the question? Bigger brain capacity? If I took a baby from that time . . . raised him in our time. Would they simply not be able to grasp various things. . . . they would simply be sub-average? Rocket River
No amigo, it doesn't work like that. Your genes don't sense "hmm, a lot of people are using their brains so we better make the brain more powerful". Your genes do not change to cope with the environment. YOUR genes do not change at all. Those who are born with genes that better fit the environment will inevitably have a higher chance of passing on those genes, with more of those genes being passed on than others, our species will begin to reflect them as a whole.
How does the more powerful attributes get started in the first place if there is no change in genes? You are saying that the chance of mutation is the same regardless of environment right? I am saying that there will be more and more people born with genes that tend to have bigger and smarter brain if the whole population is shifting in the direction, just like we will have stronger and stronger people if everyone is forced to cut stones 8 hours a day.
Random mutation Yes You are wrong, that will not happen unless those people who are INHERENTLY stronger due to their genetic makeup mate more than those who are weak. Their children will be stronger. What we do as a culture does NOT CHANGE our genes. You're telling me what you think makes sense, and that does make sense but it is not true. I'm telling you how and why these things happen. You're a bright dude, about 2 hours of reading up on it and I'm sure you'll get it.
This is a common derail that is brought up in these discussions but the theory of Evolution isn't about the origin of life, but about why we have all the different sorts of species that we have now. That is why Darwin's book is called The Origin of Species and not The Origin of Life
