13 thoughts on “Evolution”

  1. So, I wonder when people will come to realize that “nuclear”* is number 6.

    * Or “nucular.”

        1. Yes, they need energy, but are they human? I really don’t like being the amoeba in this scenario.

          1. OTOH, there are plenty of amoeba in today’s world. Certainly would be a better outcome than extinction or being turned into a completely subservient cell in a larger body.

          2. Is it better to be an amoeba or a human neuron? Wait, don’t answer yet — what if it is one of the neurons that handles orgasms?

          3. …a completely subservient cell…

            The super-nanny state? I suppose some like the idea!?

          4. “…a completely subservient cell…”

            Stop and think about who is subservient to who.

            I agree that the cells in our body are completely subservient. But *you* are made up solely of subservient cells! So what does that make you? You don’t order your cells around, but rather your cells take inputs from their environment, an environment which very importantly includes other cells, and the net effect is to create you!
            You are subservient to your cells, and they are subservient to each other. People are systems, and the parts are in mutual subservience.

            I bet none of you libertarian types really mind your utter lack of free will, so it follows that you should accept that mutual subservience isn’t really so bad. 🙂

          5. Bob, you’ve just set a wonderful example of the phrase… “You’re so smart you’re dumb.”

            Assuming everything you’ve said is precisely true. The question remains, “How’s that life with out liberty treating ya?”

            I do not welcome my robot overlords. Actually, I’m kind of pissed when I have to deal with an automated phone system… especially when pressing zero doesn’t lead to a live person.

          6. People are systems, and the parts are in mutual subservience.

            That’s what Woodrow Wilson said and he used the idea to justify the citizen’s subordination to the State.

          7. Jon, yes, obviously I was trying to say something that the majority here would find politically unpalatable. In fact, I find it politically unpalatable too. But science isn’t politics. In terms of biology, is it wrong?

  2. “I bet none of you libertarian types really mind your utter lack of free will, …”

    A misstatement. While we often *do* mind our lack of utterly free will, we do not allow this to keep us from expanding our freedoms of action.

  3. I’ll note that one can get a similar progression of “revolutions” with a variety of characteristics, for example, senses, intelligence, mobility, and ability to manipulate the environment. None of it seems fundamental in isolation.

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