human evolution

I always found human evolution-past, present, and future- to be fascinating. I especially love this artice in msnbc. It discusses where our evolution is headed. I don't believe it but I still think it's cool. There is also an interactive 'lesson' titled 'Before and after humans' on the same page.Check it out if you are interested. Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7103668/<BR>
Scientists are fond of running the evolutionary clock backward, using DNA analysis and the fossil record to figure out when our ancestors stood erect and split off from the rest of the primate evolutionary tree.

But the clock is running forward as well. So where are humans headed?

Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins says it's the question he's most often asked, and "a question that any prudent evolutionist will evade." But the question is being raised even more frequently as researchers study our past and contemplate our future.

Paleontologists say that anatomically modern humans may have at one time shared the Earth with as many as three other closely related types ? Neanderthals, Homo erectus and the dwarf hominids whose remains were discovered last year in Indonesia.

There more on the website

*Cyborgs: Merging with the machines
"In some fields, artificial intelligence has already bested humans ? with Deep Blue's 1997 victory over world chess champion Garry Kasparov providing a vivid example."

I think human evolution will most likely have to adapt to the extreme technologies of the future. Perhaps the growing dis-use of certain limbs or functions of the body over time will begin to render them weaker and weaker, while other parts will have to evolve to a much higher state. Superior-bionics surpassing that of human flesh and bone, to either compensate, improve or replace. And of course, BIG-brother implants or maybe some form of higher psychicism or mind-control. There's already some 'remote viewing.' I think what future humans have to worry most about though, is eventually being "owned" by more than just the state.. Compared to what future-evolution may bring. So relatively-speaking, we have tons of freedom and autonomy at the moment .. But that may be just the tip of the iceberg, as how the environment and man will continue to exist and evolve together brings only more theories.. *just a few meandering thoughts to throw out.. (this got me to thinking about I-Robot, The Matrix, Dark City, 12 Monkeys, lol..)

Thx for the interesting site, Martian!

I like your thoughts on that. You think deeeep!

thanks, interesting topic..s* =)

i think human evolution is possible. i also believe in genetics, though, you cant really say you 'believe' when there is true physical evidence. unlike the soul, DNA also makes everyone different, but its physical evidence. it brings up the question of religion being a frock.

I be gettin up on two leg soon.

It begs the question; what came first human evolution or the advent of the soul or how and when did this synergy evolve in of itself to who we are today? Or could God have just created everything that is what we know as science & dna today? His own BIG bang! Perhaps evolution and creation are good bedfellows, and not necessarily distinct from each other.

And what about duel-gendered races, half man, half woman in the distant future? Or perhaps a genderless or watered down mutant race, made and bred for different mental, physical functions and tasks. Okay, i hear grunting in my head right now!

"I be gettin up on two leg soon."

LOL! ..a humanoid tad-pole! =) ..cool

oops, double-posted..lol

I be on my knees