Cultural evolution is underappreciated and frankly, something I need to write about. The concept is simple though. Instead of having was wait for genes to be passed down, information could be passed instantaneously from one generation to the next. And better yet, information can be passed within generations and between unrelated family members.
This is huge and was absolutely crucial to separating humans from most of the species that came before us.
Two aspects of biological evolution that do not always receive the attention or emphasis that they should include randomness and passivity:
1) the molecular level changes that result in "new" genes, and thus eventually new proteins and new phenotypes, etc., are usually random, such as via impacts from cosmic rays, availability of localized concentrations of the required copying atoms/ molecules, etc. Something happens that interferes with the usual or expected chemical reaction sequence demonstrated via the numerous previous results from that particular sequence. [A language nit that not everyone follows properly also seems to be that during these biochemical reactions, the molecules "replicate" while only when the cells or organism multiplies is that "reproduction".]
2) the "natural" selection process leading to survival of a particular organism and species is also "passive", rather than "directed" or "directional". It depends purely on the traits established by the (prior or new) genes and the contribution of those genes to the ability of the organism and individual member of a species to survive a given always changing environment - i.e., the best adapted, not the "fittest" individuals - for sufficient time that they can reproduce and transfer their particular complement of genes to the next generation.
Issues of group selection, "horizontal" gene transfer at the microbe level, possibly limitations of smaller populations leading to "drift" also come into play, but are (apparently) side issues in the bigger picture.
Looking forward to your next posting on cultural evolution, but I presume it can also occur randomly (as a meme or fad that just catches on) or via a planned/ directed sequence, per a specific goal being pursued and achieved (even if/when it also has unintended consequences).
Cultural evolution is underappreciated and frankly, something I need to write about. The concept is simple though. Instead of having was wait for genes to be passed down, information could be passed instantaneously from one generation to the next. And better yet, information can be passed within generations and between unrelated family members.
This is huge and was absolutely crucial to separating humans from most of the species that came before us.
Two aspects of biological evolution that do not always receive the attention or emphasis that they should include randomness and passivity:
1) the molecular level changes that result in "new" genes, and thus eventually new proteins and new phenotypes, etc., are usually random, such as via impacts from cosmic rays, availability of localized concentrations of the required copying atoms/ molecules, etc. Something happens that interferes with the usual or expected chemical reaction sequence demonstrated via the numerous previous results from that particular sequence. [A language nit that not everyone follows properly also seems to be that during these biochemical reactions, the molecules "replicate" while only when the cells or organism multiplies is that "reproduction".]
2) the "natural" selection process leading to survival of a particular organism and species is also "passive", rather than "directed" or "directional". It depends purely on the traits established by the (prior or new) genes and the contribution of those genes to the ability of the organism and individual member of a species to survive a given always changing environment - i.e., the best adapted, not the "fittest" individuals - for sufficient time that they can reproduce and transfer their particular complement of genes to the next generation.
Issues of group selection, "horizontal" gene transfer at the microbe level, possibly limitations of smaller populations leading to "drift" also come into play, but are (apparently) side issues in the bigger picture.
Looking forward to your next posting on cultural evolution, but I presume it can also occur randomly (as a meme or fad that just catches on) or via a planned/ directed sequence, per a specific goal being pursued and achieved (even if/when it also has unintended consequences).
https://github.com/hatonthecat/Biology/blob/main/Woese%20Tribute.pdf Some history on the discovery of the Archaea: https://newsteve.substack.com/p/most-ideas-come-from-previous-ideas