Re: Speculation on Future Evolution



Define this 'great chain of being' concept.

Basically, it is the notion that evolution is line-like rather than
tree-like, with humans farthest along the line. But the other species
in line behind us are destined to evolve into something like us, as
we proceed to evolve (extending the line) into something better.
You can find more info about the concept by Googling.


I strongly disagree with the linear model for evolution, as do most
evolutionists, I believe. It implies a sort of hierarchy, which follows no
objective criteria that I could identify. Complexity in itself is not a
hierarchy, because often simplicity is a greater advantage. Check out the
numbers of simpler organisms vs. complex and tell me which ones have the
greater survival advantage. I suspect the cockroaches stand a better chance
than mammals of surviving a global holocaust, and some prokaryotes could
probably survive anything short of our planet falling into the sun.

I agree. I see life more - not as a tree going up to some higher
purpose but
water running down a mountain - some gullies keep going, some don't.

BUT if life has a direction - toward a better fit in its environment
through
natural selection - then it evolves either toward natural selection for

more nurturing, or natural selection for more protection.
Being more complex is one way to do it - being less complex is another.

Now if you have all one celled organisms you'll sooner or later have
some
that evolve to be larger and more complex, and some smaller and more
streamlined.

Within those alterations it is likely that one end will lead to
thinking type
dolphins, humans, birds, or ground burrowers of some type. And it will
because
evolved nurturing or protection leads to that convergent result.

Will it be human like or more like an octupus or something else? Don't
know but
remember I just suggested a carbon based line not one leading to
land walkers like us.

I understand the prevailing anti anthropomorphic thinking - I'm really
taking it
further - but within the bounds of carbon based life.


.