24 JAN 2015 by ideonexus
H.G. Wells Time Machine and Evolution
Nobody has imagined the future of fate with greater artistry than H. G. Wells in his fantasy The Time Machine, published in 1895. Wells imagined the human species split in two, the spark of reason dulled and the sense of purpose extinguished. His two species, the degenerate descendants of the upper and lower classes of Victorian England, are caught in an evolutionary dead end without hope of escape. The lower class, living underground like rats, has retained enough manual dexterity to keep th...Folksonomies: futurism
Folksonomies: futurism
05 JAN 2012 by ideonexus
Evolution Does Not Drive Us Toward Intelligence
We fondly imagine that evolution drives toward higher intelligence. But eagles would think evolution favored flight, elephants would naturally prefer the importance of great strength. Sharks would feel that swimming was the ultimate desirable trait, and eminent Victorians would be quite convinced that evolution preferred Victorians.Anymore than it drives us to flight, swimming, strength, or Victorian culture. A quote from Gregory (Albert) Benford.