Evolution - Revision history

Fractalguy: /* Punctuated Equilibrium */

2025-03-24T11:40:17Z

Punctuated Equilibrium

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:40, 24 March 2025
Line 44:		Line 44:
	A favorite [[allegory]] for this process is a boulder in a river. The boulder might stay lodged tightly against some other rocks for thousands of years, when finally the water erodes a gap just big enough to dislodge it. At that point it may tumble and stop and tumble and stop many times over the next few days or years until it reaches another stable point where it will stay for the next thousand years. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuated_equilibrium Punctuated Equilibrium] is the same principle applied to evolution.		A favorite [[allegory]] for this process is a boulder in a river. The boulder might stay lodged tightly against some other rocks for thousands of years, when finally the water erodes a gap just big enough to dislodge it. At that point it may tumble and stop and tumble and stop many times over the next few days or years until it reaches another stable point where it will stay for the next thousand years. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuated_equilibrium Punctuated Equilibrium] is the same principle applied to evolution.

	Both gradual and punctuated evolutionary processes are found in the fossil record, so both types of evolution occur. The problem is that most people ~~only~~ have an intuitive understanding of gradualism, ~~and~~ only know about punctuated equilibrium if they took an advanced biology class ''and'' paid attention.		Both gradual and punctuated evolutionary processes are found in the fossil record, so both types of evolution occur. The problem is that most people have an intuitive understanding of gradualism, but only know about punctuated equilibrium if they took an advanced biology class ''and'' paid attention.

	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjiFxIHknk\|\|center\|Process of Evolution: Gradualism versus Punctuated Equilibrium\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjiFxIHknk\|\|center\|Process of Evolution: Gradualism versus Punctuated Equilibrium\|frame}}

Fractalguy: /* Punctuated Equilibrium */

2025-03-24T11:39:46Z

Punctuated Equilibrium

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:39, 24 March 2025
Line 43:		Line 43:

	A favorite [[allegory]] for this process is a boulder in a river. The boulder might stay lodged tightly against some other rocks for thousands of years, when finally the water erodes a gap just big enough to dislodge it. At that point it may tumble and stop and tumble and stop many times over the next few days or years until it reaches another stable point where it will stay for the next thousand years. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuated_equilibrium Punctuated Equilibrium] is the same principle applied to evolution.		A favorite [[allegory]] for this process is a boulder in a river. The boulder might stay lodged tightly against some other rocks for thousands of years, when finally the water erodes a gap just big enough to dislodge it. At that point it may tumble and stop and tumble and stop many times over the next few days or years until it reaches another stable point where it will stay for the next thousand years. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punctuated_equilibrium Punctuated Equilibrium] is the same principle applied to evolution.

			Both gradual and punctuated evolutionary processes are found in the fossil record, so both types of evolution occur. The problem is that most people only have an intuitive understanding of gradualism, and only know about punctuated equilibrium if they took an advanced biology class ''and'' paid attention.

	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjiFxIHknk\|\|center\|Process of Evolution: Gradualism versus Punctuated Equilibrium\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSjiFxIHknk\|\|center\|Process of Evolution: Gradualism versus Punctuated Equilibrium\|frame}}

Fractalguy: /* The Ascent of Man */

2025-02-13T14:24:53Z

The Ascent of Man

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 13 February 2025
Line 84:		Line 84:
	== The Ascent of Man ==		== The Ascent of Man ==

	The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] and [[cultural]] viewpoints may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries. The early Pink Floyd soundtrack slaps, too, though that's probably why ~~some~~ of the episodes are not available. While the full series is not available anywhere currently, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH this playlist has several episodes as well as some interesting interviews].		The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] and [[cultural]] viewpoints may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries. The early Pink Floyd soundtrack slaps, too, though that's probably why most of the episodes are not available. While the full series is not available anywhere currently, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH this playlist has several episodes as well as some interesting interviews].

	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}

Fractalguy: /* The Ascent of Man */

2025-02-13T14:24:06Z

The Ascent of Man

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 13 February 2025
Line 84:		Line 84:
	== The Ascent of Man ==		== The Ascent of Man ==

	The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] and [[cultural]] viewpoints may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries. The early Pink Floyd soundtrack slaps, too. While the full series is not available ~~online~~, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH this playlist has several episodes as well as some interesting interviews].		The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] and [[cultural]] viewpoints may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries. The early Pink Floyd soundtrack slaps, too, though that's probably why some of the episodes are not available. While the full series is not available anywhere currently, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH this playlist has several episodes as well as some interesting interviews].

	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}

Fractalguy: /* The Ascent of Man */

2025-02-13T02:54:31Z

The Ascent of Man

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:54, 13 February 2025
Line 84:		Line 84:
	== The Ascent of Man ==		== The Ascent of Man ==

	The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries. The early Pink Floyd soundtrack slaps, too. While the full series is not available online, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH this playlist has several episodes as well as some interesting interviews].		The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] and [[cultural]] viewpoints may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries. The early Pink Floyd soundtrack slaps, too. While the full series is not available online, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH this playlist has several episodes as well as some interesting interviews].

	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}

Fractalguy: /* The Ascent of Man */

2025-02-13T02:22:40Z

The Ascent of Man

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:22, 13 February 2025
Line 84:		Line 84:
	== The Ascent of Man ==		== The Ascent of Man ==

	The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries.		The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries. The early Pink Floyd soundtrack slaps, too. While the full series is not available online, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH this playlist has several episodes as well as some interesting interviews].

	{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}		{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}

Fractalguy at 02:19, 13 February 2025

2025-02-13T02:19:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:19, 13 February 2025
Line 81:		Line 81:

	Doing this will create a resource where anyone can go to catch up on the [[wikipedia:Zeitgeist\|zeitgeist]] without having to wade through a [[Information overload\|mountain of crap]] on [[social media]] every day. It provides a [[fractal]] framework for understanding that provides a consistent [[metanarrative]], while incorporating the latest and greatest (or worst) [[ideas]] that people need to be aware of to successfully navigate modern [[capitalism]] and avoid [[grift]].		Doing this will create a resource where anyone can go to catch up on the [[wikipedia:Zeitgeist\|zeitgeist]] without having to wade through a [[Information overload\|mountain of crap]] on [[social media]] every day. It provides a [[fractal]] framework for understanding that provides a consistent [[metanarrative]], while incorporating the latest and greatest (or worst) [[ideas]] that people need to be aware of to successfully navigate modern [[capitalism]] and avoid [[grift]].

			== The Ascent of Man ==

			The [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH classic BBC series from Jacob Bronowski] depicts the evolution of early humans and [[culture]]. While some of the [[science]] may be dated, it harkens back to the golden age of the [[educational]] docuseries.

			{{#ev:youtube\|https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7SJf8BnBI&list=PLOZ1qYZ4NGSEOitGcwUCw8IXZqVcnWyNH\|\|center\|The Ascent of Man with Jacob Bronowski\|frame}}

	== Evolution of Music ==		== Evolution of Music ==

Fractalguy at 14:44, 25 January 2025

2025-01-25T14:44:57Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:44, 25 January 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Evolution-of-humans-with-smartphones.jpg\|thumb\|Don't worry [[Future\|genetic engineering]] will fix it]]		[[File:Evolution-of-humans-with-smartphones.jpg\|thumb\|Don't worry [[Future\|genetic engineering]] will fix it]]
	[[wikipedia:Evolution\|Evolution]] is central to the scientific [[creation]] story. Understanding how evolution works is a [[necessary prerequisite]] to a working understanding of the scientific [[universe]].		[[wikipedia:Evolution\|Evolution]] is central to the scientific [[creation]] story. Understanding how evolution works is a [[necessary prerequisite]] to a working understanding of the scientific [[universe]].<blockquote>''"We are the representatives of the cosmos; we are an example of what hydrogen atoms can do, given 15 billion years of cosmic evolution."'' -[[wikipedia:Carl_Sagan\|Carl Sagan]]</blockquote>To see how major evolutionary milestones are [[inevitable]], even as the particular form they take is variable, and how this applies to [[religion]], [[society]] and other [[self-organizing]] systems, see the [[march of progress]].


	To see how major evolutionary milestones are [[inevitable]], even as the particular form they take is variable, and how this applies to [[religion]], [[society]] and other [[self-organizing]] systems, see the [[march of progress]].

	== Everything Evolves ==		== Everything Evolves ==

Fractalguy at 14:24, 25 January 2025

2025-01-25T14:24:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:24, 25 January 2025
Line 1:		Line 1:
	[[File:Evolution-of-humans-with-smartphones.jpg\|thumb\|Don't worry [[Future\|genetic engineering]] will fix it]]		[[File:Evolution-of-humans-with-smartphones.jpg\|thumb\|Don't worry [[Future\|genetic engineering]] will fix it]]
	[[wikipedia:Evolution\|Evolution]] is central to the scientific [[creation]] story. Understanding how evolution works is a [[necessary prerequisite]] to a working understanding of the scientific [[universe]].		[[wikipedia:Evolution\|Evolution]] is central to the scientific [[creation]] story. Understanding how evolution works is a [[necessary prerequisite]] to a working understanding of the scientific [[universe]].


	To see how major evolutionary milestones are [[inevitable]], even as the particular form they take is variable, and how this applies to [[religion]], [[society]] and other [[self-organizing]] systems, see the [[march of progress]].		To see how major evolutionary milestones are [[inevitable]], even as the particular form they take is variable, and how this applies to [[religion]], [[society]] and other [[self-organizing]] systems, see the [[march of progress]].
Line 57:		Line 58:

	The [[metaculture]] [[wiki]] avoids this type of backwards reasoning by focusing on the needs of the [[brain]] over the needs of our DNA. The [[brain]] seeks [[happiness]], so our focus should be on creating a [[culture]] that celebrates [[happiness]], not one with a slavish devotion to [[self-replication]]. See [[Quality of life versus quantity of life]].		The [[metaculture]] [[wiki]] avoids this type of backwards reasoning by focusing on the needs of the [[brain]] over the needs of our DNA. The [[brain]] seeks [[happiness]], so our focus should be on creating a [[culture]] that celebrates [[happiness]], not one with a slavish devotion to [[self-replication]]. See [[Quality of life versus quantity of life]].

			Some articles discussing the criticisms of [[wikipedia:Evolutionary_psychology\|evolutionary psychology]], with progressively increasing levels of hostility.

			* [[wikipedia:Criticism_of_evolutionary_psychology\|Criticism of Evolutionary Psychology]]
			* [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-darkness/201412/how-valid-is-evolutionary-psychology How Valid Is Evolutionary Psychology?]
			* [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/addiction-in-society/201012/is-evolutionary-psychology-total-utter-and-dangerous-bullshit Is Evolutionary Psychology Total, Utter, and Dangerous Bullshit?]

	== Evolution, Not Revolution ==		== Evolution, Not Revolution ==

Fractalguy at 14:19, 25 January 2025

2025-01-25T14:19:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:19, 25 January 2025
Line 52:		Line 52:

	The book [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201751520-life-as-no-one-knows-it Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life's Emergence] examines this question using the latest theoretical models and proposes a framework for distinguishing [[natural]], artificial, or alien [[life]] from the non-living. [https://www.themarginalian.org/2024/11/04/sara-imani-walker-life/ Maria Popova's review in the Marginalian] gives a good overview of the considerations.		The book [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/201751520-life-as-no-one-knows-it Life as No One Knows It: The Physics of Life's Emergence] examines this question using the latest theoretical models and proposes a framework for distinguishing [[natural]], artificial, or alien [[life]] from the non-living. [https://www.themarginalian.org/2024/11/04/sara-imani-walker-life/ Maria Popova's review in the Marginalian] gives a good overview of the considerations.

			== Evolutionary Psychology ==
			The field of [[wikipedia:Evolutionary_psychology\|Evolutionary Psychology]] expanded on its roots in [[wikipedia:Sociobiology\|Sociobiology]] in order to provide broad generalizations and speculations about the survival benefits of various human behavior in order to justify it as "natural." The [[idea]] that most of our instincts and tendencies must have some evolutionary survival benefit is just common sense. Working backwards from current observations to speculate about ancient survival benefits is bad [[science]]. This is especially the case when these speculations are used to justify discrimination and natural [[hierarchies]].

			The [[metaculture]] [[wiki]] avoids this type of backwards reasoning by focusing on the needs of the [[brain]] over the needs of our DNA. The [[brain]] seeks [[happiness]], so our focus should be on creating a [[culture]] that celebrates [[happiness]], not one with a slavish devotion to [[self-replication]]. See [[Quality of life versus quantity of life]].

	== Evolution, Not Revolution ==		== Evolution, Not Revolution ==