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Human Split into 2 Subpecies: Social Evolution?

SteveGrenard

Philosopher
S
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Oct 6, 2002
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What's next? ....not sure what to call this theory other than some kind of social evolution....???


This story is from The Times

Humans 'could evolve into two (sub-)species'
Mark Henderson, Science Editor
October 17, 2006

HUMANS could evolve into two sub-species within 100,000 years as social divisions produce a genetic underclass.

The mating preferences of the rich, highly educated and well-nourished could ultimately drive their separation into a genetically distinct group that no longer interbreeds with less fortunate human beings, according to British scientist Oliver Curry.

Dr Curry, a research associate in the Centre for Philosophy of Natural and Social Science of the London School of Economics, speculated that privileged humans might over tens of thousands of years evolve into a "gracile" subspecies, tall, thin, symmetrical, intelligent and creative.
Click to expand...

More at:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20596073-30417,00.html
 
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I plan on having my offspring evolve into humans with giant knees
to better serve the master.
 
A JREF Exclusive First Picture of New Human Species - Don't Ask Which One
 

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It seems like a reasonable theory. My main problem with it is that we can't make assumptions about what conditions are going to be like 100 years from now, let alone 100,000.
 
I see this happening only if Humanity,as a whole, allows it.

ie both halves must erect strong, unbreachable, barriers to interbreading.

As it is, there is quite a large interchange of genes between the "Lower" and "Upper" classes; What with human males of both halves, shagging anything that lets them, and the resonably common events of "elevation" of individuals to the "Upper" classes, and demotion to the "Lower" classes, will ensure that there is no speciation.
 
I think others have beaten them to this theory: H.G. Wells, "The Time Machine" -- this was his exact speculation on the evolution of the Eloi and Morlocks!

Oh, and "slummin'" may slow down the process, but evolution works with tendencies, not exceptions.
 
Humans could evolve into 3 or more separate species. "Could" being the operative word.

Boise State could win the NCAA football championship this year.
Sylvia Browne could win the JREF $1M prize.
Sadam Hussein could be found innocent of all charges against him and restored as the rightful ruler of Iraq.
I could speculate about future events all day.
 
Oldpossum said:
I see this happening only if Humanity,as a whole, allows it.

ie both halves must erect strong, unbreachable, barriers to interbreading.

As it is, there is quite a large interchange of genes between the "Lower" and "Upper" classes; What with human males of both halves, shagging anything that lets them, and the resonably common events of "elevation" of individuals to the "Upper" classes, and demotion to the "Lower" classes, will ensure that there is no speciation.
Click to expand...

Yes, as long as people like Paris Hilton exist, we can rest easy that it will remain one species.
 
But since when have the privileged not screwed the underclass? You don't have to marry them. If the precedent of slavery in the U.S. counts for anything, it would appear that the more under the class, the more likely the tendency towards speciation is to be self-limiting.
 
Captain Trips said:
I think others have beaten them to this theory: H.G. Wells, "The Time Machine" -- this was his exact speculation on the evolution of the Eloi and Morlocks!

Oh, and "slummin'" may slow down the process, but evolution works with tendencies, not exceptions.
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's hard not to suspect a plagiarism here.
 
I thought that if there were only two subspecies that they would be Mac users and Microsoft users. That was in the 90's. Now I think there must be UNIX user subset in there somewhere as well, probably living with the Mac users.
 
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