A Reflection on Module 1
I have two perspectives on evolution, concerning ~what~ it is. On a technical level, I've learned evolution to be lifeforms changing themselves across the ages to fit new circumstances through various mechanisms, or a race to fill new niches and secure a spot in the earth's ever-shifting context of existence. It's genetics and behaviors filling spaces made available to them either through conquest or imprisonment. Alternatively, on a more poetic level, I see evolution as life itself taking different forms to experience novel ways of existing. It's the web of life maximizing it's sustainability by diversifying roles in the play of time to make use of the resources available to it. Kinda like that saying that goes something along the lines of "You are not a person experiencing the universe but the universe experiencing a person."
Secondly, I believe evolution is a theory, but not in a way that diminishes its legitimacy. I think it's a concept so founded in its multitudes of evidence that it's nonnegotiably real. The stipulation is just that one can't point to evolution and say "there it is" because it has no substance or definite form we can handle or witness aside from indirect measurement and observation, at least not in any way that's ever come to my attention. We're constantly learning new things about evolution but we've yet to come across something that has put a hole in the fabric of the theory, which seems promising.
Great insights Dayton! (Day? Which do you prefer?) This is definitely a difficult question - perhaps why we tend to lean towards poetic answers! But I'm with you on the whole "theory, but difficult to dispute" front. I never thought about why it's such a hard question to answer until you pointed out that evolution is insubstantial. No wonder it's difficult to pin down! Do you think evolution is always measured and observed indirectly? Is there, or will there ever be, ways to directly measure and observe evolution across generations?
ReplyDeleteHi Madison! I don't have a preference, most people just call me Dayton, though. I honestly don't know about the measurement thing, probably not ~always~ but I can't personally think of an example of direct measurement! I myself wonder if we could "directly" measure that kind of change, it's very hard to fathom for me.
DeleteHi Dayton! Your poetic answer was really interesting. I have always thought of humans and other forms of life being the universe's way of experiencing itself so I find the saying you included in your post really cool. As for evolution being a fact or theory, I agree with your answer. But who knows, maybe someday scientists in our or future generations will find an 'exception to the rule' of evolution that does put a little hole in the fabric of the theory. Science is always throwing new things our way for us to discover.
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah,
DeleteThat's a point I was definitely considering writing this post! It would certainly be a wild experience to live through a "hole" being torn in the fabric of evolutionary theory. I can't personally decide if it'd be more fascinating of existentially terrifying!
Hello Dayton!
ReplyDeleteI find it really interesting how you were able to tie in a more poetic version of what evolution is to you and thats a great quote to use for this explanation. I am in between fact and theory for what I think evolution is , and you made a good point of saying that there is not set in stone definition for what the term evolution means.