Evolution...?

[Drummie666]

Well, the only thing that has been shown so far to be changing is that humans are getting taller. That's it. Though I believe that women will realise that if they only reproduce with guys that have big wangs, they will raise the average. Failing that, we'll try changing ourselves. I'd say that Deus Ex 3 doesn't seem doesn't seem unrealistic.

 

[[Gavo]]

Read "The Singularity is Near". Thia will answer all of your questions.

 

[spartan231490]

Continuation of the current trend towards more height. As for a real evolution, I suspect a gradual increase in learning capacity. Like we can learn really quick when we are very young, I think that will last longer and longer over time.

 

[Blaster395]

Its simple
1. Women like men with big dicks
2. Men like women with big boobs
therefore
1. Men with bigger dicks are more likely to reproduce
2. Women with bigger boobs are more likely to reproduce
which results in
1. Men slowly end up getting bigger dicks
2. Women slowly end up getting bigger boobs

Because of all the advances of technology, all evolution is ultimately down to who is most likely to reproduce.

 

[loc978]

Ever seen 'Idiocracy' [http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/]? The thought alone is terrible.

That movie is an exaggeration of the horrible truth... some lesser version of that is probably where we're headed.

 

[Soviet Steve]

I don't think that with our pace of technological development and the current comfortable state of us that we will evolve much anymore. The next steps take the form of cybernetics. Whether or not that is nature through it's action of evolving our intelligence or if it is us.

5 two letter words in a row, hell yes!

 

[The Evil Foxy]

If this kind of evolution continues, the future human will eventually be a one huge head with no legs, one arm with one finger on it to push a button with and maybe some reproductive organs in order to multiply.(If tech doesn't do that for us too eventually)

Cosider this with the fact in mind that a modern human spends more and more time in front of a computer screen while developing ways of doing less and less physical labour.

 

[solidstatemind]

Apparently, written language will be lost, since no one can apparently spell anymore. (Seriously, people, Chrome has built in spell-check. Use it, for fuck's sake; it doesn't matter how intelligent your statement actually is if it looks like it was written by an eight-year-old with a serious case of dyslexia.)

OT: I think people would do well to research 'forced evolution'. When nanotechnology and molecular computing become feasible, there is going to be a lot of weird shit going down in the evolution department, particularly in regards to gene therapy and the like. In medical science's quest to identify and eliminate supposed 'cancer genes', you're going to get a lot of unintended consequences, some of which may not be bad.

But it will certainly be freaky.

 

[Mr.Mattress]

I Think Humanity will branch off into three different Groups:

Group 1: Exypnos Anthropos or "Smart Man", will be the group of Humans who have Bigger Brains and thus continue to have Modern Human Socieities. They will be a bit taller, but also a bit weaker, but their technology will be 50 times more improved then ours.

Group 2: Ischyri Anthropos or "Strong Man", will be the group of Humans who have Bigger Muscles and will have a deformed form of Human Culture (It'll probably be a restart of Human Societies, like Roman and Assyrian Cultures). They will be a bit taller, but stupider, and will probably also be more persuadable. They could be more violent, but perhaps they'd make great workers and soldiers, but this could lead to the Smart Man using the Strong Man as their Paid Armies.

Group 3: Allaxe O Anthropos or "Changed Man", will be a group of both Smart and Strong Men who where Genetically Engineered (Literally, not what Genetically Engineering really means) by either their own want or through payment promises. They will differ from Man to Man: Some might have wings, some might have kitten parts, others might be just gelatinous blob monsters. Some might be accepted into Human Societies, but most will probably live on the fringes of both cultures, and perhaps they would develop their own.

Also Cyborgs, but they'll probably fit into the Smart Man Category.

(PS, I was Using Google Translator to create the Greek Names for the New Humans, so the Greek is probably incorrect)

 

[Wereduck]

We won't evolve anymore. We've reached a point were instead of adapting to our surroundings, our surroundings adapt to us.

I understand that point, but I thought evolution was merely random changes over time that later carry on or die out. So I guess we would continue to evolve but since it probably wouldn't make us more likely to die then we'd reach a point of a lot of diversity.

Ah, but random variations are generally recessive traits and only appear in future generations if your partner has them as well. Unless the variation serves some purpose (or you're close relatives) it's unlikely that your partner will have the same random recessives and your funky genetic abnormalities disappear after 1 or 2 generations.
This is one of the reasons why incest in frowned upon. Also (IMHO), it's also why evolution occurs as a punctuated equilibrium - where dramatic changes happen in periods of severe die-off both because of increased selective pressure and because of a reduced gene pool which promotes the perpetuation of any variations which occur.

 

[WOPR]

So Earth has been around for a pretty long time, yea? Scientists and other good folk have traced the evolution of man, among other things, back to several millenia ago.

Whether primates were our ancestors or not, or we came from the sea originally, humankind has evolved through the times and will (if we don't destroy our planet) continue to do so. But we're not perfect, and it has been a while since we last evolved.

So I pose this question, to you, my fellow Escapists;

What do you think will be the next step in the human evolution, and when will it happen?
[sub]Take a guess or give us some scientific mumbo-jumbo! Throw it out here.[/sub]

Edit: Can't be bothered to be scientific? Then just post what you think would be cool! That'll work too.

...nothing so long as there are creationists refusing to evolve... *cough*

Sorry that was rude, I'm just so sick of creationists trying to MAKE me believe in their imaginary friend God, saying I'll go to this place called "Hell" if I don't... And not giving reasons to back it up other then my work of fiction designed to teach simple lessons to simple man Bible says so.

Ack it just bugs me...

Okay can I ask one question?
Heaven = Gated Community (which last I checked was to keep people out... or in...)
Hell = Fire (which last I checked was Warm and Inviting)
sooo.... huh?

Back On Topic: I don't think anything will happen, or at least nothing we can predict; possibly more brain capacity, or considering the poplution problems, more advanced lungs

 

[Rylingo]

Probably something like longer lifespans, nothing huge like wings. *sigh* Unfortunately.

Our bodies are too heavy for flight nor do they allow for any control in the sky....sadly.

Flight is possible with heavy bodies. Its just more difficult. Bees for instance fly despite having large heavy bodies and small wings. Its all down to the method of flight.

 

[Vigormortis]

So Earth has been around for a pretty long time, yea? Scientists and other good folk have traced the evolution of man, among other things, back to several millenia ago.

Whether primates were our ancestors or not, or we came from the sea originally, humankind has evolved through the times and will (if we don't destroy our planet) continue to do so. But we're not perfect, and it has been a while since we last evolved.

So I pose this question, to you, my fellow Escapists;

What do you think will be the next step in the human evolution, and when will it
happen?
[sub]Take a guess or give us some scientific mumbo-jumbo! Throw it out here.[/sub]

Edit: Can't be bothered to be scientific? Then just post what you think would be cool! That'll work too.

There won't be a "next step". The idea of a "step" implies a sudden change or shift of drastic proportions. Evolution, by it's very nature, doesn't work that way. It's a very, VERY slow process spanning thousands to millions of years. It's a gradual change in biological systems. (in small or large scales)

If, however, you are referring to short-term adaptation, then the most likely step humanity will take will be something along the lines of genetic manipulation or true cybernetic alterations.

The former (genetic manipulations) would involve humanity altering our own genetic structure at infancy. Essentially, changing our unborn children's DNA so as to create generations of humans with specific physical and mental traits. It could be to prevent/cure known diseases, to bolster our physical and mental strengths, or just to create hybrids by splicing our genes with other creatures.

The latter (cybernetic alterations) would involve us infusing (and eventually replacing) our bodies with our own technology. Augmenting our natural abilities and granting us abilities beyond those present in nature.

In either case, this "step" would be more adaptation or short-term forced evolution. Not true, natural evolution.

 

[Vigormortis]

Apparently, written language will be lost, since no one can apparently spell anymore. (Seriously, people, Chrome has built in spell-check. Use it, for fuck's sake; it doesn't matter how intelligent your statement actually is if it looks like it was written by an eight-year-old with a serious case of dyslexia.)

OT: I think people would do well to research 'forced evolution'. When nanotechnology and molecular computing become feasible, there is going to be a lot of weird shit going down in the evolution department, particularly in regards to gene therapy and the like. In medical science's quest to identify and eliminate supposed 'cancer genes', you're going to get a lot of unintended consequences, some of which may not be bad.

But it will certainly be freaky.

Wow. Someone with whom I'm in total agreement with. Likewise, I'm glad to see someone else who actually knows the difference between evolution and forced-evolution. We are indeed approaching an age when we will literally be able to "pick and choose" how we evolve. The real kicker will be whether or not we will have evolved mentally, and more importantly ethically, to a point that we can actually make the right choices and not fuck things up royal. That will be the determining factor in humanities continued existence.

 

[hawkeye52]

The only way evolution is going to effect the human race itself is that everyone with less "desirable" traits are not gonna reproduce and this can consist from anything from being an anti social prick to being someone who's genetics caused them to have some sort of dibilitating physical or mental flaw. I mean they can be nice people but it would be much harder to get into a relationship that goes two ways with someone who you have to care for rather then something that does go two ways.

We can start selectively breeding people but that would be so unethical on almost every level and probably wouldn't accomplish much beyond what we already know or believe to be true.

 

[silver wolf009]

We shall become a brotherhood. We shall become a family. We shall become gods.

Seriously though I think that it will be either an increase in longevity or a better immune system. Mabye a more effective digestive system.

 

[tthor]

well humans have reached the point where our influence on society shall shift human evolution. the freaks are outcasted, and the norms are loved. so evolution will probably not be very drastic (atleast until we start messing around with human genetics to create a few abominations)

EDIT: actually, future humans will probably be taller, and smarter

 

[bob-2000]

Has anyone here even seen Idiocracy? If so, then that's pretty much what I'm expecting.

 

[dark-amon]

Let's go sci-fi by saying that we equip our bodies from a early age with advanced machinery and thus control our own evolution.
(A joke, but it does sound like a consept from a movie.)