Evolution can be fast

[dumpthemonarchy]

I was doing a crossword and the clue is "Changes slowly," answer, "Evolution."

I punch in "Fast evolution" into the google search engine and learn it can occur quickly. See the URL:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/life/science/story/0,12996,1380427,00.html

After all, asteroids and earthquakes can cause sudden change on the planet. But this idea of slow change on Earth blends well with slow geological change that was believed years ago. This indicates the masses still haven't twigged onto a lot of new thinking. This mentality I think causes many to still question global warming. People had perfectly good old facts and now they have to swallow new ones and this takes time.

I say, blame the media!!! Heh, heh, little joke there.

 

[gc]

I think I remember hearing (I could be wrong on this, my memory is fuzzy) that there are certain regions of the chromosome which undergo mutations in times of stress, so that when there is pressure on a species to adapt, evolution occurs quicker. I could be wrong on this, but it makes sense, and it's an interesting thought none the less.

 

[FUBAR]

No need to worry about global warming then, ping you've adapted or no-ping you're extinct.......8O8O

 

[Tonington]

I remember an article on ScienceDaily which showed how fast adaptation and ultimately evolution can happen. A study of lizards on some islands somewhere. The results were prediccted and came true of course. The islands with predators forced the lizards into the trees. Within less than a year there was a shift on those islands in the dominant phenotype expressed in the lizards as well as the ecological niche they occupy.

 

[MikeyDB]

Yes of course evoution can happen quickly...

You don't imagine for a moment that we've evolved into the mess we're in over the last 2billion years do you?

No our evolution has taken place since the Industrial revolution...

Industrial revolution........increase consumption ...increase production.....render the planet inhospitable to any life form....

It's about as straighforward as you can get....

 

[Dreadful Nonsense]

Some would argue that when we entered caves the radiation added to our evolution. Some would also argue the pace at which the world is demanding higher education and the rat race itself is adding to our evolution.
Dunno, most parents agree that children of every generation seem smarter and learn faster.There is a surprise factor here that should be noted.

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Two more web sites on fast evolution:

http://whyfiles.org/shorties/085fast_evolution/index.html

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5657338

 

[dumpthemonarchy]

Definite oil price collusion by Big Oil

Even evolution is on internet time these days.