On 26/07/2006, at 9:06 PM, Alberto Monteiro wrote:
Physical, yes. Biological, no.
Huh? Do you mean what you said, or do you mean "Physical, I agree,
Biological I don't".
Yes - but I think I said that. Didn't I? What did I say?
I wasn't sure, that's why I asked.
The evolutionary pressure on humans - despite some heroes
that get the Darwin Award - is quite low.
It may be low (although I'd like to see some science backing up
that assertion), but it's precisely the same process and principle.
We obfuscate it, and we use technology to help people survive who
would not have, but that doesn't say anything about selection
pressure.
If "Biological Law" is the survival of the more fit, then we
don't obey this Law. Sometimes, what happens is the survival of
the _less_ fit.
That's not what I mean by biological laws. I mean the total sum of
biological principles that make up biology. Including evolution.
We're just as subject to selection, it's just the fitness criteria
that change.
"Survival of the fittest" is a glib soundbite that utterly fails to
capture what evolution really is. It's like saying "metal woman" when
you're talking about the Statue Of Liberty (either of them).
Charlie.
_______________________________________________
http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
