Nature’s Core Simplicity

One of the most beautiful and amazing aspects of this world is that, beneath its complexity, there can be incredible simplicity.

Evolution – or at least its guiding principle – may be a case in point.

In Nature, evolution works because it follows a simple modus operandi. The central tenet driving evolution is that of self-interest – we all want to do well for ourselves. Some might even go further and suggest that the drive is even stronger, that we all want to do the best we can for ourselves.

Whichever it is, it is reflected in the following actions:

• We want to get as far as we can on our journey.
• We want to acquire as much as we can on the way.
• We want to stay ahead of everyone else.

It is on the basis of these three compelling forces that everything in Nature operates – our actions as individuals, our behaviour as a species.

This is because we are aware of the gains that are attainable. As individuals, by getting on in life, our survival prospects are more assured. As a species, the more we evolve in relation to our environment, the more we can achieve, the better off we are, and the stronger our position becomes.

Underlying this is our deep-rooted desire, need and quest for self-improvement. It’s our evolutionary mission; it’s Nature’s way of working.

By acting in our individual self-interest – whether to make gains or to avoid losses – our efforts spur others on to make their own efforts. This carries with it its own propulsion, a competitiveness that drives progressive development. It means that evolutionary advancement is self-perpetuating.

But it is also challenging, as it demands constant, committed discharge. We know that if we ease off, then we might miss out on developmental opportunities, and others may gain an advantage over us.

Evolutionary development is like running a marathon. We’re against the clock, we’re against other runners, we’re against the course, we’re against the elements, and, quite often, we’re against ourselves as we struggle with the challenge.

It’s an unremitting struggle, one that never gets any easier. This is because, as in any race, we will always urge ourselves to push on and achieve more.

Ultimately, of course, we want to be leading the race. That means getting to the front and staying there. This motivational drive inspires us to push ourselves. The pressure is on us. We have to perform; we have to get results.

Genetic success means staying in the race. There is no finish line. It’s a relentless, endless race, one that cannot be won but one that can all too easily be lost.

As to the future, the danger and worry lie in what might be described as humanity’s emerging arrogance: that all too often we think we know better or can do better than Nature. That cannot be assumed.

Humanity is at a point in our development when, in many respects, we are beginning to challenge or disregard our genetic masters. We are breaking the established rules that drive evolutionary development. For example:

• Societal living – operating within a wider community – means that we are no longer quite so individually self-centred. Debilitating genes can, with society’s support, persist. This effectively means that we are not necessarily always acting in our own best interests.
• New technologies mean we are becoming involved in genetic manipulation and engineering – doing our own thing rather than Nature’s. Are we fully aware of the consequences of our actions?
• Abnormal behaviours (as considered in an evolutionary framework) have become more prevalent. For example, the prioritising of Personal Fulfilment (putting ourselves before our children, as when choosing to focus on our career or spending our resources on lavish properties rather than on our children’s education).
• Reproductive negligence – the failure to pass on our genes or the failure to strive for a favourable genetic pairing. For example, homosexual relationships, choosing to be childless, sexual gratification or adventure (when sex is for pleasure rather than procreation or when sexual relations are influenced by other factors such as alcohol and drugs rather than genetic appeal).

These unnatural, deviant and defiant behaviours risk antagonising our genes. It’s a dangerous game to play.

We should be mindful that our existence continues only because we are useful to our genes. They still find us beneficial. Should that advantage become lost, then our genes would have no qualms about abandoning us and adopting other carriers. Despite their pre-existing, long-term investment in us, if we start to cause problems, they may feel obliged to look elsewhere to pursue their evolutionary journey.

Humanity must be aware and accept our station in Nature. Pushing at genetic boundaries may mean that our genes may start to push back. The biggest danger we face may be in our endeavours to change the relationship we have with our genes. We are interfering with their ways of working. They may not take too kindly to this!

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