Applied Evolution

[realthinker]

An article at New Scientist describes how evolutionary theory is being used in new approaches to real problems. The article has lots of links to other articles and publications. I'm sure if you're interested in understanding evolution and what it can contribute you'll read it. If you're not, you'll make assumptions and we'll go around with all that again.

There is a question that arises from all this though.

If evolution theory produces real solutions to real problems, would the doubters reconsider their position?

[realthinker]

There is a new online journal dedicated to applied evolution that is offering free content for the year 2008. This is not a news site or a PR site. It's a scientific journal.

[micatala]

An article at New Scientist describes how evolutionary theory is being used in new approaches to real problems. The article has lots of links to other articles and publications. I'm sure if you're interested in understanding evolution and what it can contribute you'll read it. If you're not, you'll make assumptions and we'll go around with all that again.

There is a question that arises from all this though.

If evolution theory produces real solutions to real problems, would the doubters reconsider their position?

An interesting notion.

I think in the short run, probably not. However, in the long run it may. It is pretty hard to argue with practicality.

It reminds me a bit of the dawn of the Copernican age. At first, his fellow astronomers did not buy for a minute that the earth actually moved However, many of them DID begin using his method of calculating positions because it was somewhat easier and a bit more accurate. By 1600 or so, most astronomers had adopted his system for its practicality, even if they did not all believe in its reality.

When Galileo provided some evidence for the reality of the earth's motions, it did not take long for the astronomical community to be swayed.

Now, in the present circumstance what we do not have going for us is that the "doubters" are the professional scientists. They are really non-scientists with a religious agenda. While Protestant Europe came around to the Copernican system fairly soon after Kepler, Catholic Europe did not. This does not bode well for overcoming the religious objections to evolution.

On the other hand, evolution has a much greater capacity to produce applications that would effect people's lives than astronomy does.

If we were able to produce some kind of speciation event that had a very beneficial effect, especially if it came with a farily significant morphological change, then this really should persuade a lot of the doubters.

Anyway, just my two cents worth.

[Furrowed Brow]

If we were able to produce some kind of speciation event that had a very beneficial effect, especially if it came with a farily significant morphological change, then this really should persuade a lot of the doubters.

I have my doubts. The same old characters are going to say that isnt evolution because it has been engineered. Some will say it is proof "evolution" needs an interventionist designer. Creationst websites will run articles explaining how this disproves evolution.

[Bartender]

If evolution theory produces real solutions to real problems, would the doubters reconsider their position?

That depends on the strength of the doubters faith. There are some who would reconsider their position and others who would deny it to the last breath. I dare say science has proven evolution to satisfaction of most but some will never believe it, no matter what the evidence.

The people who built the creation museum in Kentucky would fall in the category of "don't believe it, never will, no matter what the overwhelming evidence is."

[QED]

I think we can foresee a not too distant time when reconfigurable robotics are capable of evolving under their own steam. We already have plenty of software simulations of evolution in action but the visceral spectacle of a real "zoo" full of self-designed species ought to count for something in the minds of those who reject evolution. As I'm always saying, the principle is proven. The only argument left is how the principle came to be.

[webforumart]

Thanks for sharing. It was an interesting article..