Plane crash victim eaten by an alligator in Florida

[NatCigg]

Well... Since we can use Tools etc we can both live in places that we otherwise couldn't and we can also afford to ditch some of the genetic features, such as fur since we don't need it. So few of us is dying from hypothermia that it's Worth the sacrifice.

in a strange way of thinking i see what you say.  only, life does not choose what it is, we are simply what survived.  there is only seven kingdoms and almost all are made of the same thing, most look the same, and almost all live the same way.  overheating is a constant threat for us warm blooded animals, a gigantic beast with high nutritional demand and a fine line operating temperature.  not only are we very adapt at cooling ourselves but capable of generating heat as well.  throw in that brain and we've got a nice animal.  i'd say we lucked out good. 

[Zimme83]

Although your preferences of how a human being should look in order to be attractive to you isn't relevant in the debate. If you were a hippo you would still find the females attractive..

[NatCigg]

actually, beauty would be a part of evolution we kinda do control.  very subjective and limited, as you know. 

our mind, if we really wanted could influence through breeding techniques. but the nazis lost the war. 

[Zimme83]

Most animals are attracted by certain features in order to pick the mate with the best genes, Winston for ex, he gets laid all the time because of his antlers...

[NatCigg]

Again, kinda strange since life has been around for 4 billion years yet the concept of genes is 40 years old.  But I know what ur saying, Winston is a stud. 

[Lusche]

"yet"? 

[NatCigg]

Meaning the concept of genes is term allowing us to describe our very limited understanding of how life is "programed", yet, or conversly, or although, life in a advanced state does observe traits that could be benifical, or not, is completely unrelated to genes.

Bottom line, it's going to take a lot of brain power and time to develop a human to express our innate otter genes to increase oil and fur production so we can swim in the sea again. If you catch my drift.

[NatCigg]

And the only reason your chosen mate has good genes is because you kid Did survive to breed.   Many many more died.  It's the survivor that's remembered with the feel good story.

"Evolution" is the end story. Not how it works.

[Lusche]

Meaning the concept of genes

Genes are not a concept.

[Serenity]

Genes are not a concept.

Maybe it's a language barrier, but isn't everything a concept in some way?

[NatCigg]

in the sense that we do not fully understand them or how they work and therefore the "concept" is used to bridge knowledge.  more specific to discussion, "they" are definitely a concept when the term is used interchangeably with "traits". 

[NatCigg]

interesting side note, the alligator has changed relatively little in 240 million years or more.  humans have changed a great amount.  many sub-species in the last million years.  sharp differences in size, appearance, and blood, yet we all can breed so not quite enough isolation for real evolution to segregate species.

[ToeTag]

all good points but...

We have not evolved.
We have devolved.
We are chicken being fed just enough.
Somewhere "We" forgot how to be hunters/gatherers. (I think it was the gov telling us we could only kill this many animals and we cant raise any stock on our meager 1/4 acre lots because it might pee off the neighbors with smells and noise. Instead we spend our money and grow "yard of the month signs" that we can't eat.

If our mechanical crutches fail so do we by a margin of...oh...lets say....most of us.

I hope in my giant underpopulated state we simply have a chance if that is to ever happen.

[Serenity]

all good points but...

We have not evolved.
We have devolved.
We are chicken being fed just enough.
Somewhere "We" forgot how to be hunters/gatherers. (I think it was the gov telling us we could only kill this many animals and we cant raise any stock on our meager 1/4 acre lots because it might pee off the neighbors with smells and noise. Instead we spend our money and grow "yard of the month signs" that we can't eat.

If our mechanical crutches fail so do we by a margin of...oh...lets say....most of us.

I hope in my giant underpopulated state we simply have a chance if that is to ever happen.

I think it's VERY easily arguable that the ability to live off the land is something that is still very easily attainable. It's not a measure of evolution away, but merely hidden behind lessons and practice, whereas refusal to adapt and develop technology would have resulted in a VERY different life for all humans. Arguably, a worse one.

[Lusche]

all good points but...

We have not evolved.
We have devolved.

In biology, there is no such thing as "devolution". To evolve simply means to change. The process of biological evolution has no direction and no goal.