Evolution Question and Answer Thread

[Fight!]

It's no secret that the theory of Evolution is a more controversial theory than the theory of Gravity or the theory of how Charlie Sheen hasn't died yet. I feel that much of this is due to misconceptions held about Evolution, as was the case with me when I was younger. I decided to make this thread so that believers in evolution such as myself can answer questions or possible doubts anyone might have.

This is not a thread meant for debate, but question and answer for the sake of clarification, if you wish for debate, open another thread. If you can, keep a leash on your rhetoric. Also, if you believe you have an answer, please don't hesitate to provide it.

Oh, and one last thing, please don't assume believing in evolution means you can't believe in your god or gods, evolution and religion are not mutually exclusive, so you can believe in both without them conflicting with each other.

[removeduser_4536284751384]

I can't imagine there'll be much debate. The theory of evolution is almost universally accepted, and has many applications outside of biology.

[Ludicus]

The theory of evolution is almost universally accepted,

Take a look,
Link

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evolve out of need, or can they just evolve randomly

Both cases. For example, by "out of need" I mean under the influence of past climatic / ecological conditions. There is a correlation between environmental and evolutionary events. The process does not involve effort; that genetic variation is generated by random mutation.Its random, but "guided" by external conditions. The process of mutation, which generates genetic variation, is random, but selection is non-random.

[Gaidin]

Take a look,
Link

That's what usually comes up in Ethos, not necessarily a Q&A thread in Athenaeum. From the standpoint of Athenaeum, you're not going to find a more accepted scientific theory.

[Ludicus]

From the standpoint of Athenaeum

From the standpoint of science, for some people, evolution occurs , but under some divine guidance.

[Gaidin]

From the standpoint of science, for some people, evolution occurs , but under some divine guidance.

What's your point?

[Vanoi]

Got a question. Can animals only evolve out of need, or can they just evolve randomly?

[Phier]

Got a question. Can animals only evolve out of need, or can they just evolve randomly?

Natural selection is a filter. They evolve randomly but natural selection filters out those which survive/reproduce better.

Imagine living in a thick jungle. Lets say you are 6 feet tall, you have one son 6'3" and another 5'11". Being short is good for jungle living and height gives less advantage. Your 6'3" is less likely to reproduce than your 5'11". It might not be much but now multiply that over several generations. Now your decedent has two sons, one is 5'5" and another is 5'2", until you reach the optimum height for the environment, your decedents will continue to get shorter. Its completely random, and non guided, but the net effect looks like they are evolving out of need.

[The Despondent Mind]

What other theories are out there that deny evolution ? I mean real scientific theories not religion .

[don_Durandal]

What other theories are out there that deny evolution ? I mean real scientific theories not religion .

There are none. Evolution is considered a fact, and the theory of evolution is the current scientific consensus to explain it.
It has changed quite a bit over time due to new finds however. Lamarckism for instance was rendered obsolete by Darwinian evolution, which in turn has been made obsolete by the modern evolutionary synthesis.

There were other theories or hypothesis before (like “spontaneous generations”), but those were made obsolete by new finds which led to the modern theory of evolution.

[Armatus]

There are none. Evolution is considered a fact, and the theory of evolution is the current scientific consensus to explain it.
It has changed quite a bit over time due to new finds however. Lamarckism for instance was rendered obsolete by Darwinian evolution, which in turn has been made obsolete by the modern evolutionary synthesis.

There were other theories or hypothesis before (like “spontaneous generations”), but those were made obsolete by new finds which led to the modern theory of evolution.

Also worthy of mention, the 2,602 year old father of proto-evolution, Anaximander and his hypothesis on the descent of man.

[Phier]

Also worthy of mention, the 2,602 year old father of proto-evolution, Anaximander and his hypothesis on the descent of man.

I've always found his theory a bit fishy.

[Armatus]

I've always found his theory a bit fishy.

http://youtu.be/iMpXAknykeg heh

[Armatus]

That's better asked in a different topic.

Q. What factors determine gigantism and it's successful perpetuation in a species through subsequent generations?

[Fight!]

That's better asked in a different topic.

Q. What factors determine gigantism and it's successful perpetuation in a species through subsequent generations?

I feel the best way to answer this question is to provide a list of benefits of Gigantism and just say that a slight advantage at fitting a particular niche would develop a species over time with a significantly different size than the ancestral origin.

Advantages of Gigantism

Defense against predators Greater ease in hunting prey Reach (Herbivores) Lower cost of locomotion (More distance, less energy to move) Decreased metabolic rate (Less food needed as percentage of weight) Insulation against temperature

[Armatus]

I feel the best way to answer this question is to provide a list of benefits of Gigantism and just say that a slight advantage at fitting a particular niche would develop a species over time with a significantly different size than the ancestral origin.

Advantages of Gigantism

Defense against predators Greater ease in hunting prey Reach (Herbivores) Lower cost of locomotion (More distance, less energy to move) Decreased metabolic rate (Less food needed as percentage of weight) Insulation against temperature

Thanks for the answer, but not quite what I was looking for, how about this, what environmental changes would be required to reproduce mega fauna?

And yes those would seem to apply as beneficial adaptions, but what instigators in particular?

[The Despondent Mind]

Thank you .
Another question : If humans take long inter stellar travel how many generations is needed to change human body ?

[Gaidin]

Thank you .
Another question : If humans take long inter stellar travel how many generations is needed to change human body ?

I think you're getting into the quirkiness of relativity now more than anything. Long interstellar travel, assuming near C for discussion's sake, but coming back with only, say, 50-80 years passing for the traveler would leave multiple generations having passed for those on the planet. The evolution that could take place during that is at best an educated guess.

[Phier]

I think you're getting into the quirkiness of relativity now more than anything. Long interstellar travel, assuming near C for discussion's sake, but coming back with only, say, 50-80 years passing for the traveler would leave multiple generations having passed for those on the planet. The evolution that could take place during that is at best an educated guess.

Just think how disappointing it would be after your month long trip to the stars and back at relativistic speed, only to find when you return, the penis is now obsolete.

[Gaidin]

Only a month at relativistic speed? I think you'd need more than that to bring about developments that would make the penis obsolete. I'd only bet money on one generation passing planetside at most. Just sayin'.