Evolution of man – The Next Stage

The evolution theory espoused by Charles Darwin, in his journal ‘The Origin of Species’ is perhaps the most controversial publication ever made. The ‘Origin of Species’ gave a birth to a new way of thinking: “Did God create man, animals, and plants?” Or did we (humans, and animals) evolve from lower level life form? When and how did it all begin? The evolution theory left many missing links, and since then, scientists have continued a frenetic search for these missing links. Creationist however reject in totality the theory of evolution and generally accept the biblical accounts of creation.

Evolutionist and creationist aside, man, scientifically termed Homo sapiens, is the most advance, most intelligent, and most adapted creature currently walking the face of the earth. Man has conquered and is thriving in every corner of the earth. Man is able to achieve these feats, not due to any physical ability, but rather to the fortune of a very evolved and complex system of brain. The brain is the most important differentiating factor in humans - the winning design, the winning edge!
The closest animal to the level of man sophiscation is the apes. However, the, the different in class and intelligence is a very big gulf. Man has stepped out of the caves, and has reached for the stars, while apes, still grope about in the thick of the jungles striving to scrape a living.

Man in his so much exaggerated advance intelligence, and adaptability is ironically the most discontent creature. Man wants to fly; we want to move faster than we currently do. Man want to predict the future, control events, travel the universe and back, create another man, eliminate diseases, slow or eliminate aging, and ultimately man want to live forever – like God!

The inability to achieve some of these things makes man feel discontented. Discontentment drives necessity, and “Necessity,” they say “is the mother of invention.” This brings me to the question: “What next for man? Where do we go from here and humans, and humanity? Will we continue to evolve? On the other hand, can we recreate ourselves, further from where how God made/left us? So far, man has been able to use very limited portion of his brain. The next level of man transition perhaps will result in better and more use of his brain. Better and more use of man’s brain will surely open a new vista in the story of man. Then perhaps in 2,000 years time, man will be able to fly easily at individual level, be faster, stronger, live longer, age slower, and so much more. Perhaps, I say, perhaps.

I know I cannot say for certainty if in the next 2,000 years life will continue on earth or not. Or what form of life will be by then, but I do know for sure is that humans discontent will result in further and further technological/medical advancements, and much more discontentment. Necessity, will continue to drive further the (r)evolution of man!

'Manimal', the most dangerous animal

Back in the days when man lived in caves, gathered fruits, and hunted animals as the primary source of protein, many animals were considered very dangerous. Man labeled carnivores such as lions, tigers, leopard, wolf, and bear, man-eaters. Many herbivores like the elephant, buffalo, hippo, rhino, inspired a mixture of fear and awe. Reptiles such as crocodiles and snakes completed the list of man’s most feared natural enemies. Mankind lived in perpetual fear, and would only venture far from the safety of their enclosures in groups. Stone age weapons like clubs, sticks, spears, bow and arrows are readily deployed to protect man at the very minimal sighting of these ‘dangerous’ animals.

Later, man discovered agricultures, fire, and metal. They tamed some of the not so dangerous animals, stepped out their caves. Since then things have never been the same. In stepping out of the caves, man began a process of progressive and rapid expansion. Forests were leveled to make way for the expanding population. The first victims of this expansion and the attendant deforestation were of course the now hapless animals. The retreating forest exposed several animal species to the rampaging man. Confrontations between these two always end in favour of the ruthless, armed and dangerous man.

With advancement in science and technology came better weapons and tools. Man the most adapted ‘animal’ transcended his mental evolution beyond survival. Man ceased the fear and awe of those hitherto ‘dangerous’ animal. In some instances, wild, and untamed animals, herbivores and carnivores alike, now take to their heels at the sighting of humans! Man became a terror, a savage beast, hunting animals not just for food, but for sports, ornamentals, and pleasure! He wipes out the competing animals at his whims and caprices. How soon the tide turns!

Man is everywhere! From the driest desert of the Sahara, to the deepest of the Amazon jungle; from the North to the South Poles, man’s footprint can be found. Even in the deepest of seas, and high up in the sky, man’s footprint can be found. Man’s footprints all over the face of the earth, is not just about survival, but also exploration and exploitation.

The activities of man continue to create smaller and smaller space for the diminishing animal population. The once simple, feeble, fearful, cave man, has eventually become, the ultimate predator; the most dangerous animal on earth, a terror to other members of the ecosystem. Man has slowly but surely morphed into what is now termed – ‘Manimal’’. Man the animal!

A wildlife documentary presenter once spoke on behalf of several endangered animal species, when she asked: “Fifty year from now, will animals look back and say indeed man was once the great ape.” Of course, that is from the evolutionist point of view. The creationist and bible scholars would probably ask: “Fifty years from now, will the animals look back, and say with satisfaction, that was the same man that God took us to, to be named. The one God trusted to take care of us!”

In defense of Oliver Twist (3)- (The Oliver in you)

In the preceding parts of this trilogy, the author traced the history of defamation of the character of Oliver Twist - greedy. Attempt was made not only to correct this notion but also to depict Oliver Twist in the character he belongs – a true hero. At birth he cheated death in the first few critical seconds of his life when he gasped for breath. While growing up, he endured severe hardship and survived under deplorable conditions. Oliver was a survivor. Even when fate handed him the famous task of leading the campaign to “ask for more”, he did not refuse (though it took a little prompting) to do what no one has ever done in the history of the workhouse.

Many may journey through live like Oliver; sojourning where fate pushes them; doing very little to change their circumstance, and weathering the storms of life like an inflated vessel. But that’s what life is full of – a tug of war; a see-saw; a flip-flop. But like every situation an event, which acts like a trigger – like the nudge to ask for more – exists. Like Oliver Twist, we must not refuse the nudge to ask for more either on our behalf or on behalf of others, as our destinies may lie in that.

However, inertia, as described by Newton’s first law of motion is the most active law in human behaviour – humans continue to do what they are doing (or do nothing) until an external force is applied upon them. Inertia has robbed many of their creative talents, transforming them into android; shrouding their minds from discovering whom they are (or not) and what they are supposed to be doing (or not). Inertia!

Well perhaps, it may not be inertia; it may be called “capacity building”, “gathering momentum”, gestation period, etc. Whatever it is that have caged your potential, be ready to spring when the trigger is pull; be ready to stand up and be counted when you feel the nudge like Oliver. Whatever be the challenges, remember: “It is persistence, that enable the snail reach the Ark in the days of Noah”

Push forward – there is an Oliver in you; a hero is you.