is human evolution going backwards? are we devolving?

Question

there is no selection pressure in modern society. pretty much everyone survives to breeding age.

1. Yes I think you can think of evolution going backwards. If, for example, humans became more ape-like, with smaller brains and more hair, in 100,000 years' time, I would consider that to be regression and not progression.

2. Evolution can only take place if environmental selection pressures affect survival to breeding age and ability to breed successfully. Read Darwin.

Answer 1

Yes because the benefits system allows the less fit to produce more children

Answer 2

Backwards? Going backwards in evolution is like going backwards in time - not possible. Modern WESTERN society can be seen as an evolutionary force in itself - economic pressure, pollution, stress, war! In the third world the old traditional pressures are still there, disease, famine, war! Even if pretty much everyone was surviving to breeding age so what! The population would increase to such a point that available resources would run out and then, as happens in all closed environmental systems ( in this case planet Earth), ---- CRASH! Its then that selection pressure would really start to tell and WHEN it comes it will either result in the extinction of the species or a new homo superior.

Answer 3

Firstly - evolving cannot be deemed as going in reverse, whereas devolving can. I think the two questions are mutually exclusive. It really depends on what assumptions can be made about the questioner's motives. It would seem that s/he believes devolution is taking place rather than evolution.
Secondly - what do you mean by evolution? Increase in knowledge? Genetic mutation? Better stature or physique? A greater ability to live together in harmony without resorting to mutually destructive tactics? It certainly has nothing to do with PCs, iPods, DVDs, mobile 'phones etc.
Thirdly - evolution is measured in generations and thousands of years. It can't be measured in the number of humans that attain 'breeding age'. A lot of people who 'survive' to puberty or fecundity will never be 'evolved' enough to look after offspring in a mature fashion, hence a lot of society's problems.

Answer 4

Have you found any evidence of devolving ? Simply surviving to breeding age is no indication of anything except better medicine. People in most countries are getting taller, but that could be because of better nutrition.
If you want real evidence of whether we're still evolving, and how much, just stick around for one or two million more years.

Answer 5

Humans and their environment will never cease to evolve, unless we in our infinite wisdom wipe out this planet of ours.
I understand the selection pressures you refer to and agree that they do not apply to humans as they do in the animal kindom, but I think the selection is now much more subtle. True, people breed despite conditions which in th past would have not allowed that but the pressures of life cause more early deaths (heart attacks, stroke etc) and then of course the suicide rate is spiralling.
So evolution is alive and kicking :)

Answer 6

I agree with the concept of selective breeding, no way would I have a child with someone who had something wrong with them. I know it's harsh but I can't help having a sub-conscious, deep rooted and entirely natural instinct.

Answer 7

Evolution acts on that too. Once we conquer known diseases, unknown diseases that did not have a chance to affect people (because known viruses have a bigger niche) will effect people. HIV of the 1970s, avian flu, mad cow....

It is certain that there is always selection.

And would it not be selection if we continue to drain the earth's resources and lead to our demise?

Answer 8

Is human evolution going backwards? Hmmm, did you pass through South London? Is that what prompted this question? I too thinki t is when I am stuck in the South.

Answer 9

Humans are evolving through machines. Computer artificial intelligence has progressed greatly in the last decades.

Answer 10

Evolution only means change - it doesn't imply any sort of progression or regression.