What is the next step in human evolution?

[Svenparty]

We will prolly become androgynous.

As much as I'd love this I doubt it would happen

Meh I think if anything the next step is Death...I can't really see any stage to go forward to...We stopped Flinging our Shit and all that but this is IT.

 

[capnpupster]

There will be no more human evolution barring some sort of major global cataclysm. There are three things that may be considered human evolution that are at all foreseeable; genetic manipulation, cybernetic implants, and social evolution. Any or all of these may happen at the same time, in fact either cybernetics or genetic manipulation, would force some sort of social evolution.

 

[grimsprice]

Based on the principles laid out by Darwin, and nearly perfected in subsequent years, we will seperate into two species. One of tall slender beautiful build. The other a lest wholesome looking troll like thing. It will never grow into a cast system due, in large part, to the rise of liberalism, however it will become a more distinct genetic chasm. One day the will trolls find themselves holding the majority of menial labor globally, and will rise up and start a species war. Eradicating the slender species by virtue of a more neanderthalic muscular build. The war will be horrific. The war will also set humanity back several thousand years, both technologically, genetically, intellectually and societally.

Or we could just figure out how to genetically manipulate our sperm and create the perfect human, both physically and mentally. We would then overpopulate the world until there is a major climate collapse and we all die. Which is more likely. Better go snorkeling off the great barrier reef while you can!

Just out of curiosity what is your perfect human?

Well,

1: a healthy BMI.
2: Flawless vision/hearing/smell/taste/touch.
3: An awesome immune system that fights off all disease.
4: more than 40% brain activity.
5: A natural resistance to cancers/syndromes/conditions.
6: A greatly increase life span.

Why?

To be honest I wanted to say that the perfect human being could never exist as some peoples idea of a perfect human is no longer human. Your answer to me though is probably the closest thing to human perfection as it is just an evolution of the things that make us human in the first place so I can no longer justly say that.

Yeah well, when i was thinking about my answer a saying occurred to me. Any sufficiently advanced thing would seem indistinguishable with perfection to its predecessors. A slight variation on the technology version of the saying. Basically, an M16 would seem perfect to someone who has only used a musket. However, on its own it has flaws, just smaller and less noticeable. Thats what i mean when i say 'perfect human', or the word 'flawless'.

 

[Berethond]

Based on the principles laid out by Darwin, and nearly perfected in subsequent years, we will seperate into two species. One of tall slender beautiful build. The other a lest wholesome looking troll like thing. It will never grow into a cast system due, in large part, to the rise of liberalism, however it will become a more distinct genetic chasm. One day the will trolls find themselves holding the majority of menial labor globally, and will rise up and start a species war. Eradicating the slender species by virtue of a more neanderthalic muscular build. The war will be horrific. The war will also set humanity back several thousand years, both technologically, genetically, intellectually and societally.

Or we could just figure out how to genetically manipulate our sperm and create the perfect human, both physically and mentally. We would then overpopulate the world until there is a major climate collapse and we all die. Which is more likely. Better go snorkeling off the great barrier reef while you can!

Actually, Neanderthals were tall, slender, and fair-skinned, and were eliminated by the more muscular Cro-magnon.

You've got your species mixed up. Neanderthals we're beaten out because their competitors had Slightly better technology and a more successful omnivorous dietary capability.

I was probably thinking of some third species we're not even talking about...

 

[Tranka Verrane]

Thread title suffers from the fallacy that evolution proceeds in steps rather than minuscule increments.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuated_equilibrium

Lifeforms are constantly evolving, but major changes in species manifest as a rapid spurt of evolutionary activity in a relatively short amount of time.

Spurts of evolutionary change usually refer to either pre-existing traits that are suddenly the only ones that will survive a major event or some other massive environmental change that precipitates rapid breeding and death to move generations on quicker and make life more hazardous. Since we don't know what the first is yet and the second is more likely to be dealt with through technology it's hard to say. Fashion and our perception of what is attractive is more likely to change humanity than anything at the moment, and even that could be overtaken by technology any day now.

My point was though that the thread title is misleading though the first post much less so. It was a tad over flippant and slightly condescending perhaps, and for that I apologise. Just trying to pre-empt the creationists and the X-Men fans, of whom thankfully I have seen very little in this thread so far.

 

[Joshimodo]

Altered lungs, to aid breathing in fume-heavy environments.


Either that or giant testicles, for easy impromptu seating arrangements.

 

[CobaltBomber]

Better sex.

 

[Berethond]

I want a second heart to power my lymphatic system.
That would be great.

 

[Julianking93]

Hopefully gills or wings.

 

[TheGreatCoolEnergy]

Communism, followed by the ability to shoot lasers from our ears.

 

[traceur_]

Tails.

Bring back the tail now!

 

[Juven Ignus]

Politicians who self-destruct every time they lie.

The future is going to rule.

The explosions would kill off hundreds of innocent people!! D:

 

[robb4rock6]

the next step is death

 

[Guffe]

Maybe our tails will grow back, OOOOOOOOOOuuuu I just got the coolest mental picture ever!!!

 

[EgoDeusEst]

Ever seen Wall-E?
Kinda like that. Fat and swallowed up in cyberspace, only NOT on a spaceship, just Earth :-(

 

[Pegghead]

Well we'll definitely grow taller, I suppose in terms of racial difference now that various cultures and countries have opened up I think the human race will be seperated less into metaphorical black and whites and more just various shades of grey.

Oh but I'd love it if we all had wings and the ability to spontaneously change gender like certain species of frogs, lizards and even chickens.

 

[djpobletay]

A third arm growing out of one's rectum. That way people could finally do all the work that corporate wants them to.