Introduction
The concept of human evolution is one that we may have been familiar with. No doubt, based on some paleontological and archeological evidences, the modern humans (Homo sapiens sapiens) evolved from apelike hominid species. And this evolution hinged on some principles; among which is the natural selection (survival of the best fitted), which was buttressed by Charles Darwin in his book; Origin of Species. Then technology arrived on the scene to alter the course of evolution. In this survey, we will be looking at the effects of technology on human evolution.
[Image Source: Pixabay. CC0 Licnesed]
So many questions have been asked in relation to human evolution; these include: "Is there a limit to how and what humans would evolve into?", then this: "Has the rate of human evolution remained fairly constant, or has it been altered?". In quick answer to the question above, I would like to draw a little reference from the research conducted by a team of researchers from the University of Utah led by Dr Henry Harpending (Paleoanthropologist).
The rate of human evolution is 100x faster in the last 5000years. - Culled from this source.
Now, if this is the case, have you asked yourself what could be the reason behind this speeding up of evolution; I mean, what changed? Many factors are remotely responsible for this, but we would focus on the technological aspect of it.
Based on Charles Darwin's Origin of Species, the process of adaptation; as it is evidenced in evolution; is triggered by the mutation and combination of genetic materials in various ways, and this is instrumental to the continuous survival of the human specie.
There is also no disproving to the fact that this era has been greeted with technological advancements, which, among others, has caused the human specie to rely heavily on tech, and these are not without effects and consequences. For example: According to this research, it has been indicated that the average mass and volume of the brain of the human specie has seen a little decline over the last 30millenia, now that's really weird (imagine moving from the average of about 1500cm3 to a little lower than 1300cm3). This has also been queried on the over-reliance of the human brain on computational and memory devices, that there would not be need to store up much info in the brain. And of course, nature would take its course, and Lamarck's theory of "Use and Disuse" would come into play.
An individual lose traits they do not use... - Jean Baptiste Lamarck
[Image Source: Pexels. CC0 Licensed]
Technology and Evolution
Judging from the theory of gradualism, evolution has been believed to be a very slow but rather continuous process, which takes several millennia. But, this era has seen to have contravened this theory. Here are two statements by Google chief engineer and futurist; Dr Ray Kurzweil
Technology speeds up the process of evolution. - R. Kurzweil. Paraphrased from this source.
Technology is the next stage in the evolution of human. - R. Kurzweil. Source.
The first statement has gone to prove the statement of Dr Henry Harpending I sighted earlier. Now, putting all of the above quotes in apposition to each other, you can infer that the process of human evolution that was thought to be almost based on natural selection is now tilting towards technological selection. No wonder "Technological Evolution" (Technovolution) has been used by many to represent technology-induced evolution.
Let me use this to sight an example for us: No doubt, the world is getting noisier, and this is partly as a result of mechanical devices (car horns, industrial tools, generating sets, etc) giving off noise. It has been observed that humans living around these very noisy environments have evolved with some kind of selective hearing ability (this ability helps them to filter and cut off the sounds that they don't need, and taking in the ones they need. And that is why they can still concentrate in heavily noisy environment). Now that's technology-induced evolution (technovolution).
Another evidence is in the area of physical strength. Like I said earlier, humans have been heavily reliant on technological aids, and that has caused many to live a kind of sedentary lifestyle. This is not surprising; humans have been seen to evolve with an averagely lesser muscular mass and physical strength. I mean, why would you need a Schwarzenegger-kind of muscles when you won't even put them to work? Again, technovolution at play.
[Image Source: Maxpixel. CC0 Licensed]
Okay, let's consider the area of genetic engineering. Possibilities have been created, which have seen the genetic codes of humans being tweaked to produce some desired results. And these tweakings can be passed on to the subsequent generations. Now, is this another form of evolution, technovolution, or just manipulation? A particular research wowed the world, when researchers performed genetic modifications on embryo [ref]. What can't technology do?
Beyond Evolution
For the major part of it; the advancement of technology has the "human body" as the primary target. And these technologies have come in various forms of enhancements (robotics, genetics, bionics), and one of the sole purposes of these enhancements is to ensure that humans wouldn't crack under the pressure of time and extinction, or just to create a more viable species of humans; but these would also change the nature of the development of humankind from "Humans" to "Transhumans" (Human+ or H+).
And remember, all these are without recourse to Darwinism. Well, I mean, this has gone way beyond the normal evolutionary course of natural selection theorized by Darwin, into the kind of evolution induced by tech.
What would be the use-case of these technologies? If you have been abreast with emerging technology, you would have heard of the story of Neil Harbisson who was born colourblind, but with an antenna implanted directly into his brain, he can sense and detect colours (a little tip for you: His antenna has a wifi too, and he can receive wifi transmission and even make calls directly to his brain. Imagine connecting to satellite from your brain, lol).
[Image of Neil Harbisson. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Author: Dan Wilton. CC BY 2.0 Licensed]
Now you see, technology has the ability to alter the course of human existence. Soon, we could be up against the battle of human-tech superiority, but in the end, the better tech always wins.
Conclusion
The concept of human evolution has been one that was initiated a very long time ago, and has passed through time until we arrived at this present human specie. But technology is set to alter this course massively. And as we have seen, this alterations have already begun. Very soon, there could be a huge paradigm shift from evolution to technovolution.
Thanks for reading
References for further reading:
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What the future holds for humanity is quite a lot that we can even imagine right now. all we can do is wait.
the first picture tho, the man is on a mission to break the earth.
Exactly. All we need to do is to have an open mind as we brace up for what's coming.
You can call the man "technology", lol. :p
Nah, he's not breaking it. He is just a flat-earther, and he's trying to fix the globe.
:D
haha, that explains it then... i wonder if he would be succesful
Nice write up.
My main concern here is that modern life does not really have selection pressures to drive human evolution. We are maximizing survival across as many humans and as much diversity as possible. Without selection pressures, you wouldn't really have a refinement or major alteration that would become dominant in the system.
e.g. Even if we start shifting to individuals who have traits that favor use of technology, are they passing those traits on in a disproportionate manner to the rest of humanity?
The sincere truth is this; this technovolution is, most times, not something you willingly subscribe to or maybe dictate the pace at which it occurs. Like the selective hearing I mentioned, it happens as a compensation for the increased environmental noise.
Thanks for reading
Today, it is evident that the technovolution as you put it in this discourse is actually negatively affecting the processes of naturally influenced evolution and that, if not checked, is gonna pose the greatest of dangers to humanity.
Your citation of shrinking of the brain of human beings, is one of those instances. And it will require scientific examination to detect these gradual evolutionary occurrences. And that makes it really bad cuz by the time we will realize these things, they may have gone beyond what can be reversed.
Such a master piece.
Regards.
@eurogee of @euronation and @steemstem communities
Thanks a lot for coming around bro.
Sure it does have some downturns, but we shouldn't also rule out the benefits in it. Like in genetic tweaking, you could sideline some rare genetic diseases... and many other benefits too
Yes. I agree. ✌️
@samminator you keep opening some scary facts about science and technology... Now you have migrated to humans and evolutions... Appears there is more to technology if it affects our evolution.... Like the word you used technovolution... Never heard that
Good one sir
Lol. You don't have to be scared bro, at least not now you've known a bit about what tech can do, in relation to human evolution.
But a time is coming when the full scare would come... :D
Thanks for reading
The advancement in technology have really altered much, the early man was a hunter and a farmer with his crude tools which had a great impact on his shape, size and lots more , today have seen these activities in another dimension due to technology and just like you siad
At this rate of advancement, I will totally conclude an affirmative to your article, I just wonder where it all ends. It was a nice read, like always :)
Thanks for your presence.
Yeah! Things have been made easier and simpler now, though now without consequences
Hi @samminator!
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It was very good. I thank that you gave us your information. You are an evolved human :D:D:D
Lol. Am I an evolved human? :D Wow
yes.wink
The advancement of technology to a Great extent has played a major role in human evolution scene and its safe to say the future is here!
#Technovolution
Fantastic post @samminator
Sure the future is now here :D
personally I don't believe totally in the evolution theory so I like finding faults about it.
What you refer to as evolution here I simply see as adaptation of the body system to the environment which is one of the basic characteristics of humans.
The post was interesting and worthwhile though.
What is adaptation; if not a process of evolution that makes an organism to be fitted to it's environment?
For example, the feet of the ancient ancestors of the Homo sapiens were Prehensile, because they needed them to grasp tree branches.
But as the need for climbing became less, the foot became flatter to adapt more to walking on the ground. And these adaptive features were passed on to subsequent generations. Isn't that evolution?
These are just theories though
Because something is theorized doesn't equate it to being fictitious.
Yeah I know; none of us lived through time as to witness the evolutionary processes. But there are paleoanthropological evidences to substantiate the theories