What would human evolution create in the future?

Question

I heard of a possibilty from my Gr. 8 Science teacher: our eyes will grow larger, our noses will sink into our face as well as our ears, our teeth won't be as sharp, our pinkies and little toes will cease to exist and our lips not as distinguished. We may also have larger brains. I think it was a joke, since his description was close to that of the 'Little Green Men'. What do you guys think?

Answer 1

There is no evidence that any of the described traits are favorable. Larger eyes are might or might not be of any benefit. Although more area might improve reading, we have not needed more light gathering since Edison invented the light bulb. The shape of the nose is subject to multiple pressures. If we all eat processed foods, sharp teeth lose their advantage. If we eat more steak, no. Our front teeth will remain flat as it is essential for speech. Our lips cannot lose much or they alter our speech patterns. Our pinkies, so long as we use keyboards are unlikely to recede, and as our interactions with technology increase, might increase in functionality. Larger brains may be possible, but it may be limited by birthing.

I think you received a bigger dose of Science Fiction than Science. Challenge your teacher to demonstrate the selective pressures that would produce the changes he suggested.

Answer 2

Well, it's pretty hard to say anything about the future, but maybe think about now. "Evolution" just points out that (1) people tend to be like their parents, and (2) some people will have more kids than others.

So, looking around you at the world today, what people have more children than others?

Now think about the world 500 years ago-- the successful (in terms of kids) groups were very different than they are today.

Since evolution happens so slowly (millions of years!), but these changes in human societies happen so fast (hundreds of years) I think that it's awfully hard for anybody to predict.

There are some things that seem for sure though-- for example, humans have "evolved" a lot worse vision than they used to have (nobody said evolution makes us "better"). Before glasses were invented, being near-blind would have sucked. Now you can just get contacts or laser surgery! There's no _evolutionary pressure_ that keeps poor sighted people from having lots of kids.

Same's true about a lot of medical conditions-- it's just not so important to be resistant to infection today as it was before the invention of soap, for example.

I think your teacher was just pulling your leg about the specifics-- but it's a cool question. What "forces" are at work that make some people be more successful/have more kids than others?

Answer 3

First of all, I think your teacher was joking.
Evolution works on the principle of natural selection i.e Survival of the fittest. But since even many 'unfit' people are able to survive for long nowadays with the help of advances in medicine, mankind is sort of changing the natural course of evolution. Where this will lead us is very difficult to predict.

Also, Evolution is both a fact and theory. That we evolved from other ape-like creatures is fact. How it has happened is explained by the theory of evolution.

When brushing aside theories, please remember that gravity is just a theory. There is probably more evidence for evolution than gravity

Answer 4

Evolution is authentic sweetie, technology is way previous the denial element. that's purely obdurate non secular kinds that carry close to the conception in an invisible sky fairy who refuse to work out the actuality. each and every thing is in a consistent state of evolution and modify. substitute is evolution and the purely consistent contained in the universe. no longer something continues to be a similar for lengthy. Blink and the international has replaced. practising Shaman... quantum physics rocks.

Answer 5

Evolution has no plan or design, so it will depend on the mutational rate and environmental conditions for change; if there will be any at all. Predicting them would be an exercise in futility.

Answer 6

We will turn back to the sea and become Jelly Fish. Computers will think and work for us and take care of us. We will swim around and make Jam. Well, I guess I should say they, as, I will not be here, depends on what Jesus decides to do.

Answer 7

I don't think we'd lose pinkies and little toes- we use those for balance!

I do think he's messing with you a little, but I could see some arguments for his ideas!

I think we'll evolve to not be so dependant on oxygen.

Answer 8

i think your science teacher was pulling your leg.

besides there is no proof that evolution is real. Sure monkeys skulls sort of look like ours and 93 percent of our DNA is the same as a gorilla but 50% of our DNA is also the same as a banana so that proves nothing.

your since teacher is just going on a theory and theory's aren't always true.

Answer 9

I don't think anything like that will happen in our lifetime, but maybe people facial features and how we look might change due to the way people live and work differently in the future.

Answer 10

i think that your gr.8 science teacher is psycho, and so are you for listening to that crap!! there is no such thing as evolution considering we didnt come from monkeys or anything crazy like that! God created the universe and everything in it including us!!