Study shows humans still evolving

[Tank]

Study shows humans still evolving

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides evidence of human evolution and rapid genetic changes suggesting that, contrary to modern claims, technological and cultural advancements have not halted the evolutionary process in humans.

The new study, led by geneticist Emmanuel Milot from the University of Quebec, looked at a group of women from the remote island town of Ile aux Coudres in Quebec, Canada. The team looked at the birth, death and marriage records kept by the Catholic Church in the town. They were specifically looking at the data from women who married between 1799 and 1940.

What they discovered was that within that 140 year time frame, the age that the women conceived their first child dropped from 26 to 22. Looking at cultural, social and economic differences in the women, the researchers were able to determine that 30 to 50 percent of this variation in age was explained solely by genetic variations...

Just goes to show that evolution never stops but the selection pressures change.

[OldGit]

You mean, the men had evolved superior seduction techniques.

[Tank]

You mean, the men had evolved superior seduction techniques.

That would be the alternative interpretation of the data 

[Sandra Craft]

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides evidence of human evolution and rapid genetic changes suggesting that, contrary to modern claims, technological and cultural advancements have not halted the evolutionary process in humans.

It really surprises me that anyone would have assumed that, I would have assumed the opposite to be a foregone conclusion.

[Tank]

(PhysOrg.com) -- A new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences provides evidence of human evolution and rapid genetic changes suggesting that, contrary to modern claims, technological and cultural advancements have not halted the evolutionary process in humans.

It really surprises me that anyone would have assumed that, I would have assumed the opposite to be a foregone conclusion.

I agree, but it's a regular question where some people presume that humanity has somehow short-circuited evolution and is no longer subject to selection pressures. Some people really have trouble getting their head around this issue.

[Sandra Craft]

I agree, but it's a regular question where some people presume that humanity has somehow short-circuited evolution and is no longer subject to selection pressures. Some people really have trouble getting their head around this issue.

This must be related to the theory I heard a few years back that history had essentially stopped because there was nothing left to be done or discovered.  Either the idea of change is mind-blowingly scary for some people, or there's a serious lack of imagination going on in some circles.

[Tank]

I agree, but it's a regular question where some people presume that humanity has somehow short-circuited evolution and is no longer subject to selection pressures. Some people really have trouble getting their head around this issue.

This must be related to the theory I heard a few years back that history had essentially stopped because there was nothing left to be done or discovered.  Either the idea of change is mind-blowingly scary for some people, or there's a serious lack of imagination going on in some circles.

History has stopped? I didn't get the memo!

[Sandra Craft]

History has stopped? I didn't get the memo!

Someone embarrassed themselves sufficiently to write a book about how this was so.  I'll try to find a link to it.

I wonder, if history actually stops, that means we don't need to check our mailboxes anymore?

[Tank]

History has stopped? I didn't get the memo!

Someone embarrassed themselves sufficiently to write a book about how this was so.  I'll try to find a link to it.

I wonder, if history actually stops, that means we don't need to check our mailboxes anymore?

I think history stops, at least on a personal level, when one snuffs it!

[Sandra Craft]

Found a rather long article discussing the whole "end of history" theory: http://www.wesjones.com/eoh.htm.  Frankly, I think this theory jumps the gun a bit.

[KingPhilip]

"Everything that can be invented, has been invented" ~ Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. patent office, 1899

Whenever someone says something about history being at its end, human evolution never progressing past this point, technology being at its limit...etc, I think of this quote.

*Yes I know the quote has been misinterpreted for years, but it still fits in with exactly what these people's thought processes seem to be better than anything else I've found.*

[Tank]

Found a rather long article discussing the whole "end of history" theory: http://www.wesjones.com/eoh.htm.  Frankly, I think this theory jumps the gun a bit.

Thank you so much, I needed that like a case of herpes 

[OldGit]

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/news/society/river-cottage-downshifters-'must-mate-with-locals'-201110054384/

[KingPhilip]

From the article:

Nevertheless, their DNA could be used to create broad-shouldered yeomen who understand what a deadline is.

I died on this sentence, cracked me up. Honestly it's a half decent point if you think about it though. More people in a community, but no more workers, doesn't really have good results.

[Sandra Craft]

From the article:

Nevertheless, their DNA could be used to create broad-shouldered yeomen who understand what a deadline is.

I died on this sentence, cracked me up. Honestly it's a half decent point if you think about it though. More people in a community, but no more workers, doesn't really have good results.

I tried to read the article but I kept getting distracted by the ad for Stylish Masturbator magazine.