Monkeys

[Aki]

You know how scientist say we evolved from monkeys? Well I do believe that, but I often ask myself how come we don't see monkeys evolve into humans now?

[Tormod]

This has been discussed before, Aki.

 

Try this thread for a start:

http://www.hypography.com/forums/messageview.cfm?catid=21&threadid=175&enterthread=y

[BlameTheEx]

We evolved to fill a particular ecological niche. That niche is now filled, so monkeys can only evolve to fill other niches. Mind you, the way Humanity is behaving, our niche may be available again soon enough.

 

Sadly, I rather suspect we will take the monkeys with us. We are the sort of ecological disaster that wipes out all but the smaller scavengers. The next in the queue for intelligence is more likely to be the rat.

[lindagarrette]

Perhaps intelligence is not the next step on the evolutionary ladder, (if there is one). There seem to be other factors with better survival potential. The Alligator is pretty stupid. Evolution is not necessarily progressive, at least as we envision it. If we cause the planet to be inhabitable for us and our fellow primates, maybe another life form will rise to fill the "niche." There is only one other species I know of that depends on humans for it's survival and that's the ear mite.

[Freethinker]

Originally posted by: Aki

You know how scientist say we evolved from monkeys?

Perhaps you would find it easier to deal with if you approach it from the more correct assertion that:

 

Humans and monkeys both evolved from common ancestors.

 

Both the monkeys we are familiar with today and humans evolved from the same earlier primates. "Monkeys" are the current evolutionary results. Us, the great apes, chimps, .... all started at one point and slowly over time evolved along slightly divergent, close to parallel paths.

 

Thus we would not expect "monkeys" to evolve into "monkeys", as they already are monkeys. Nor would we expect humans to evolve into humans.

[Freethinker]

Originally posted by: lindagarrette

Perhaps intelligence is not the next step on the evolutionary ladder, (if there is one). There seem to be other factors with better survival potential. The Alligator is pretty stupid.

I have argued this point before. We assume, because of our own biases, that a high intellect is an Evolutionary advantage. But we have no proof of that. In fact if we look at which species has lived the longest/ had the most success, it has not been higher intellect species. It would almost seem that higher intellect is an Evolutionary DISadvantage.

[IrishEyes]

There is only one other species I know of that depends on humans for it's survival and that's the ear mite.

 

Linda, I just couldn't let this quote go without repeating it. How cute is that? the ear mite! It's like the final crescendo to a beautiful symphony... thanks, you made me smile!