What is the future of human evolution?
 

In our society, practically anyone can have children and promulgate their genes into new generations. Most of us no longer struggle to survive, nor do we necessarily need to adapt to environmental or predatorial concerns.

Our evolution as a species doesn't simply stop; that's not how it works. But evolution by means of natural selection seems to be less a factor for a species where practically everyone has a potential mate or at least the potential to mate, where we are the very top of the foodchain, and technology shields us from death by a number of natural and violent causes.

What will our species look like in 100,000 years, and why?

we will grow antennae and telepathically communicate

cos talking is burdensome and prone to untruths or half-truths

Our evolution from here on out will be whatever we want it to be. The next steps that are currently being taken will create the Transhuman (part man, part machine). Utilizing the most advanced robotics, optics, sensors, etc. They will also be able to convert your brain's consciousness into an electrical signal that's format will be able to be stored and downloaded into androids and robots.

Here's a fun link: 2045 Initiative

Sounds like someone hasn't seen Idiocracy!

Just watch this, its absolutely on topic to a tee:



Idiocracy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Idiocracy (2006) - IMDb

Idiocracy - Rotten Tomatoes

Let's hope it doesn't go that route.

Fixed that for you

:laughing:

We'll only have two toes. The big toe will remain as is, but the other 4 will fuse into one giant toe. We'll need some separation for balance, but will also need the 4 toes into 1 toe thing because the water levels are rising and we'll have to swim a lot more, so they'll be like paddles.

^^oh hey, how are you?

haven't seen you in a while....

continue in PM if you wish - otherwise it'd get deleted for being off-topic

:laughing:

Nice to see you around again!

This. Given that natural selection doesn't really happen anymore, it only makes sense for humans to take an active role in their own evolution. Or else, you know, we stagnate.

^^you're discounting the fact that there is still evolution "radiation" here

http://www.totalbodyhs.net/wp-conten...le-300x225.png

Or not, depending...

Appearance-wise, I don't think we're going to naturally change much for environmental reasons, unless our environment changes significantly. Technologically, though, I think the most obvious possible course is a process of humans and technology becoming integrated. At such point where technology makes it possible, it might be reasonable to assume that artificial organs, body parts, etc., or enhancing prosthesis and general things in that realm, might be a possible course. Also, technological breakthroughs in genetics and biological sciences might allow us to live longer, alter physical characteristics, eradicate disease, etc.
I guess the most far-out possibility would be almost total-integration via implementation of mostly cybernetic internal characteristics and physical ability. Whether we'd decide to abandon our traditional form altogether would be unknowable in our current perception.

I'd be more inclined to assume that technology will drive our evolution, seeing as how it has changed our lives as much as it has in the past few decades alone.

What?

Have a look into the film "Idiocracy".


Idiocracy Mash-up - YouTube

There's quite a bit of truth to it.

too lazy to describe it myself and it's near bedtime over here

here:-

Evolutionary radiation - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

We will be complete energy by that stage, we won't even have physical bodies, we will be able to pass in and out of different dimensions and times, bound only by the limits of our advanced minds.

There have always been stupid people. We are just more aware of the contemporary ones because we are experiencing them first hand. People won't hear about them in 500 years, just like we don't hear about the retards from the 16th century.

I believe this is an evolutionary future for all life forms in the universe (or their goal anyhow), hence why I refrained from throwing it in there under the umbrella of a strictly "human" evolutionary future. Once we are pure energy and consciousness, the term "human" will be long behind us. Sort of like calling an oak tree an acorn. Maybe it used to be, but now it is far more. We're on the same page though.

I don't see how any natural progression of evolution into "pure energy and consciousness" could ever happen as long as the laws of physics are still around.

I find it more likely that computing power will advance so far so as to eliminate biological bodies altogether, transfer consciousness to software, and explore space uninhibited by time. The first step will likely be, as mentioned, "biological machinery" (cyborgs, deliberate genetic mutation, artificial life extension and artificial intelligence. Given the current speed of progress, it's actually feasible to me for this kind of guided evolution to occur within 100,000 years.

Another interesting "step along the way" to this possible future is the transference of the conscious human mind to an exact software (or some combination of software and hardware) virtual replica inside a computer. Before our death, a new "us" may be copied for the future generations to interact with and learn from. Our original conscious mind will, of course, be lost -- but our computer copy carries our essence for as long as there is society to maintain the programs. Even within our lifetimes, our brain may be copied to a computer system which will allow us to, quite literally, speak with ourselves.

Guided evolution by means of technology and scientific advancement is a fascinating concept. There are, however, alternatives which could play out in the event of some kind of massive societal collapse. If human beings, for lack of a better expression, "returned" to the "natural" world, evolution by means of natural selection could once again take hold of our species. Isolated populations living in regions with increased flooding could realistically be expected to develop webbed hands and feet within 100,000 years. I suppose the problem with this is that humans are so intelligent, they tend to form into societies, tribes, groups to survive. It would take something very turbulent and drastic to change this behavior.

I think we will evolve into beings of pure rock and roll.

Yes way, man. Totally.

http://sprignaturemoves.com/blog/wp-...ted-guitar.jpg

Forever my favourite B&T pic.

They melvined me.

Best 4/7?

Station!

...what's this thread about again?

:laughing:

Oh god, I forgot the majesty of Bill and Ted. I haven't seen those movies in years.

so, the future of human evolution, will, be like toderly bodacious, doods

and we'll all be Wyld Stallyns

(air guitar)

I think our future is to continue going In circles. Sure, our technology advances, but our morality doesn't. Until we can learn to treat one another better and come together as one, we won't reach our full potential.

The **** are you on about?

Seems clear enough to me. What part don't you get?

he's talking about the Universal Chord of Life

Thanks for backing me up, guys.

Or maybe in the future the philosophical and spiritual thinker will be a dead breed. Everything will be as it is and nothing more. If this isn't the case already.

The portion where he implied morality is objective/universal, that adherence to morality = profit, & the whole nonsense of "coming together as one".

I understand what these words mean, but I don't understand how the **** he can believe such things. What's the logic?

Maybe morality wasn't the right word. The logic goes like this: imagine how much different the world would be and how much more we could achieve if humanity worked together. I'm not saying its possible, but the world we be a better place if everyone treated one another the way they wanted to be treated. I know it sounds stupid to a lot of people, but I don't see how you can't understand the logic behind it.