How Societal Living Shapes our Evolution
Read more: How Societal Living Shapes our EvolutionOf all the choices humanity could have made, of all the pathways humanity could have chosen, opting for a societal existence as our means to survive was inspired. Most obviously, it has worked – we are still in existence. By living together, we have been better able to provide for each other – sustenance, shelter, heating and protection. As a result, we have been better able to…
Genetic Flaws: Understanding Human Imperfection
Read more: Genetic Flaws: Understanding Human ImperfectionNo one’s perfect; no one can ever be perfect – that’s certainly the case in genetics. This lack of perfection, this inability to achieve perfection, means that we all carry weaknesses. Genetic flaws. Some greater than others; some more consequential than others. These flaws matter because they are liabilities on our genetic balance sheet. Whatever genetic appeal we may have, it will always be considered alongside any…
The Changing Shift in Gender Roles
Read more: The Changing Shift in Gender RolesThroughout Nature and certainly in the case of humanity, males have tended to be the dominant gender – not only are they bigger and stronger, but the nature of their reproductive act – their genetic contribution – is rapid-repeating, unlimited and non-committal. It means that they can tender their genes as much as they like. Females, on the other hand, have to make a much greater investment…
Ensuring Survival Through Collective Strength
Read more: Ensuring Survival Through Collective StrengthWhen it comes to the survival of a species, safeguards must be in place to prevent it from being adversely affected by the erroneous actions of any of its members. The most important protection for a species is the strength of the collective. In its evolution, a species advances as a single entity, albeit driven by individual actions. Adaptations take place at the periphery, only properly establishing…
Our Life’s Performance – A Genetic Review
Read more: Our Life’s Performance – A Genetic ReviewThe results are in. Our individual genetic assessment comes back to us. It doesn’t make for the best of reading. In fact, it’s rather like reliving those school reports we received as children – could do better; if he applied himself more; too easily distracted. It seems our Genetic Priorities have not received the attention they deserve. We have, according to the report, lived a rather wayward…
Humanity’s Mistaken Persuasion
Read more: Humanity’s Mistaken PersuasionHumanity has an enormous sense of self-importance. We like to think of ourselves as being centre stage – life revolves around us. We are Nature’s superior beings – the masters, the leaders, the controllers of this world. But it’s a mistaken outlook. Although we may try to be, we are not the main participant in Nature’s affairs. We are merely a cog in a much greater machine.…
The Need for Moral Flexibility
Read more: The Need for Moral FlexibilityIf our sovereignty is threatened by a foreign country, we will do everything we can to protect ourselves. We will fight, kill and even die for our country. External challenges are perceived as threats to our way of life, as something to be guarded against. And yet when it comes to internal challenges to the customs and operations of society – rioting, criminality and general lawlessness –…
Pseudogenes – Reliving the Past
Read more: Pseudogenes – Reliving the PastGenetic engineering is often criticised for being a manipulative activity, for interfering with Nature’s ways, and for tampering with our humanity despite being unaware or uncertain of the consequences. Yet there may be one area of genetic tinkering we could pursue that would not necessarily be so questionable, indeterminate, or risky. That is in relation to pseudogenes. Pseudogenes are genes that we once had but are now…
Nature’s Genetic Arms Race
Read more: Nature’s Genetic Arms RaceIn an environment characterised by change, a species cannot afford to stand still. Genetic lethargy, genetic detachment or genetic derogation risks evolutionary demise. Certainly, in the evolutionary world, nothing good comes out of doing nothing. Evolution is a transitional process. The adoption of individual change drives wider change, environmental change. This spurs further individual change as genes adapt to that changed environment. It’s a perpetuating cycle, designed…