Genetic Variation Accelerates
Evolution, as we all know, has crawled to a halt. All we will see in the coming millennia is some slight modification in the skin on, and ligaments controlling our opposable thumbs which will ease the pain of text messaging. Perhaps a marginally more car-seat shaped body, to reflect the time we spend in those vehicles. Except for that we will evolve no more.
Perhaps you don't agree with me, and neither does John Hawks, anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He believes positive selection has been occurring 100 times faster during the last 5.000 years than in any other period of human development. I think you should agree with him. I do.
Part of the explanation may be the incredibly population growth the human race has experienced. More individuals means more room for genetic variations. However throughout history we have divided ourselves into finer units, tribes, migratory groups etc. which may have pushed us to adapt quickly to changing and widely varying environments.
How will the influence of space-migration influence us in comparison to moving about on the surface of the earth? Will groups inhabiting different regions of space develop distinct traits suited to those habitats? Deep space compared to a geostationary orbit? A space station with artificial gravity compared to planetary colonies? Moon colonies versus Mars colonies?
Perhaps you don't agree with me, and neither does John Hawks, anthropologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He believes positive selection has been occurring 100 times faster during the last 5.000 years than in any other period of human development. I think you should agree with him. I do.
Part of the explanation may be the incredibly population growth the human race has experienced. More individuals means more room for genetic variations. However throughout history we have divided ourselves into finer units, tribes, migratory groups etc. which may have pushed us to adapt quickly to changing and widely varying environments.
How will the influence of space-migration influence us in comparison to moving about on the surface of the earth? Will groups inhabiting different regions of space develop distinct traits suited to those habitats? Deep space compared to a geostationary orbit? A space station with artificial gravity compared to planetary colonies? Moon colonies versus Mars colonies?
