Re: Population and longevity

From: Vince Barmann (vbarIONmann_at_earthlink.net)
Date: 07/14/04 

Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 22:48:37 GMT

Gordon wrote:
> On Tue, 13 Jul 2004 23:51:33 GMT, joseywales@outlaw.nospam (David
> James Polewka) wrote:
>
>
>>We face a whole slew of problems because of the failure to
>>stabilize our population. We're living in luxury compared to the
>>rest of history, with our indoor plumbing, convenient and reliable
>>water and food supply, push-button heating and air-conditioning,
>>ready-made clothing, cheap transportation, and great variety of
>>entertainment. Why do we have to be so greedy regarding longevity?
>>
>
> Can anyone shed any light on the statistics supporting the idea
> that humans have already begun to diverge into what may
> eventually become two separate species? What I'm getting at here
> is the idea that upper IQ people tend to mate and reproduce with
> persons of about the same level IQ, while lower IQ people mate
> and reproduce with similarly low IQ individuals. If this is
> reasonably true, and if the trend continues, how long would it
> take for the two segments of humanity to diverge to the point of
> being separate species. I know, it would take some fundamental
> genetic modifications or mutations before cross breeding would no
> longer happen, but with our ever increasing knowledge of
> genetics, we may be on the threshold of implementing such
> mutations by choice. Will it happen???

The Marching Morons, a short story by C. Kornbluth is based on this.

Vince B. 

-- 
Ecce, Homer!