From: Ray Dickenson 
Date: Wed May 25, 2005  12:30 pm 
Subject: Re: (NOT) Humans are just following their basic instincts

"T W. C*****" wrote:

> Evolution traches us that we are animals. The revolutions of the 60s
> taught us to follow our animal instincts. We should not be surprised at
> the results.
> ====================================
> The letter was signed Rev. Pat Cook


 Hi Terry, whichever way we read his argument, the Rev. is making a common, and always fatal mistake.

 Here's (hurried) warning to amateur anthropologists forming "evolutionary" arguments:

 Three separate pressures enable "evolution" or species-change by "selection".

 1) Changing environment: ranges from say "weather" to "climate" to "catastrophe" -
 result = adaptability, either primitive (as in bacteria say) or intelligent (hopefully aimed at by
 _some_ humans);


 2) Predator / Prey relationships: covers attack / defense mechanisms on macro and micro scales -
 result = macro - teeth (attack), horns (defense), and cammo; micro - from immune systems to symbiosis;


 3) Sexual selection: on basis of display of physical forms or abilities -
 result = preferential (and _dangerous_) over-emphasis of that attribute (i.e. peacocks).


 Beware "evolutionary" paradigms - although pressures #2 & #3 overlap and "work" in making changes
 (i.e. tigers, rhinos, peacocks), they inevitably lead to dead-ends.

 In other words, pressure #1 rules overall, as seen by

 - in terms of numbers we're still in the "Age of Bacteria";

 - in terms of use / control we're maybe _nearing_ the "Age of Intelligence".

 cheers
 Ray D

 Note: that's as abbreviated as possible, if you want an idea of the full range of pressures
 on us, past, present and expected, maybe try `Altruist Survivor' in Google - let me know if
 you've any additions or improvements.
 RD  

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