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gluadys · Feb 28, 2004, 06:56 pm

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (theophysics,)
Its not like we didn't have enough time to evolutionize, it took millions of years.<hr size="1" /></blockquote>

Most of us get discombobulated by large numbers. I know people who can't distinguish hundreds from thousands. A million years is a long, long time. But it takes a thousand million years to make just one billion years. (If you were to design a time line on which one billion years = 1 meter, then one million years would be represented by just one millimeter or 1/25th of an inch) When working with evolutionary concepts, it is really important to grasp the magnitudes of time scales. A million years is a blink of the eye in a geological or evolutionary perspective.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
Before you answer think more about it. If we all came from similar organisms why is there such diversity on our world? <hr size="1" /></blockquote>

That is what the theory of evolution explains. But it is not an easy theory to master, because it is so comprehensive. It requires learning how variations occur within individuals in a population, how these spread through a population, how some variations become established as various breeds in a population, how such varieties can become separate species from the primary gene pool, what roles are played in this scenario by mutation, genetic sortation, mendelian inheritance, natural selection, genetic drift and environmental changes. And then how this whole scenario replicates itself again and again and again and again to generate more and more diversity over time. To fully understand the theory ( and I don't claim to) one has to have some mastery of molecular biology, DNA sequencing, variability, biological inheritance, ecology, population genetics and paleontology just for starters.

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
Why wouldn't humans have evolved into flyers, and underwater swimmers to better fit their enviroment? If you say that is stupid than give me an explanation why! <hr size="1" /></blockquote>

No honest question is stupid. The answer, as intimated elsewhere, is in our evolutionary history. Our early hominid ancestors adapted to the environment they were in, and that was not one that called for flying or swimming (though there is an "aquatic ape" theory as one suggestion for why we lost the thick pelt common to our hominid cousins. I don't think it is given much credence though.)

<blockquote>Quote:<hr size="1" />Originally Posted by
The world is just to perfect to believe in evolution from single celled organisms. <hr size="1" /></blockquote>

Could you explain what you mean by this? What do you mean, first, by "too perfect"? I know the world is a marvelous place containing many wonders. And among these are the amazing ways in which life forms have adapted so perfectly to their environment and each other. But is it not just as easy to find many examples of natural imperfection as well?

And then what do you mean by "to perfect to believe in evolutin from single celled organisms"?

Feb 28, 2004, 06:56 pm	#86 (permalink) (top)
gluadys Molten Ash Posts: 28	</span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by (theophysics,) Its not like we didn't have enough time to evolutionize, it took millions of years.<hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Most of us get discombobulated by large numbers. I know people who can't distinguish hundreds from thousands. A million years is a long, long time. But it takes a thousand million years to make just one billion years. (If you were to design a time line on which one billion years = 1 meter, then one million years would be represented by just one millimeter or 1/25th of an inch) When working with evolutionary concepts, it is really important to grasp the magnitudes of time scales. A million years is a blink of the eye in a geological or evolutionary perspective. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by Before you answer think more about it. If we all came from similar organisms why is there such diversity on our world? <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> That is what the theory of evolution explains. But it is not an easy theory to master, because it is so comprehensive. It requires learning how variations occur within individuals in a population, how these spread through a population, how some variations become established as various breeds in a population, how such varieties can become separate species from the primary gene pool, what roles are played in this scenario by mutation, genetic sortation, mendelian inheritance, natural selection, genetic drift and environmental changes. And then how this whole scenario replicates itself again and again and again and again to generate more and more diversity over time. To fully understand the theory ( and I don't claim to) one has to have some mastery of molecular biology, DNA sequencing, variability, biological inheritance, ecology, population genetics and paleontology just for starters. </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by Why wouldn't humans have evolved into flyers, and underwater swimmers to better fit their enviroment? If you say that is stupid than give me an explanation why! <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> No honest question is stupid. The answer, as intimated elsewhere, is in our evolutionary history. Our early hominid ancestors adapted to the environment they were in, and that was not one that called for flying or swimming (though there is an "aquatic ape" theory as one suggestion for why we lost the thick pelt common to our hominid cousins. I don't think it is given much credence though.) </span><blockquote><span class="smallfont">Quote:</span><hr size="1" />Originally Posted by The world is just to perfect to believe in evolution from single celled organisms. <hr size="1" /></blockquote><span class='postcolor'> Could you explain what you mean by this? What do you mean, first, by "too perfect"? I know the world is a marvelous place containing many wonders. And among these are the amazing ways in which life forms have adapted so perfectly to their environment and each other. But is it not just as easy to find many examples of natural imperfection as well? And then what do you mean by "to perfect to believe in evolutin from single celled organisms"?