Whether we believe it or not, technology is on the increase, both in complexities and in efficiency. Just about 50decades ago, we were greeted with computers, which were only used by research institutes, but in this era, we're now seeing computers in diverse forms and for personalized uses. If I were to ask you some 10years ago; "how many internet-enabled devices do you own?", it might probably be only your PC, but here we are today with dozens of devices. But all these advances in technology, do they have effects on the evolutionary processes of man? If yes, in what areas do they affect us?
Introduction
Technology has formed a major part of our life in this era; but more so; we are humans in this extant form because we had to survive through the tough evolutionary processes and the mass extinctions, but is technology a part of our survival? Is technology in apposition or opposition to the theory of evolution we've been made to believe all these while? Okay, we'll find out soon.
[image Source: Pixabay (CC0 Licensed)] AB INITIO
The theory of evolution has been credited majorly to Charles Darwin, of which he indicated that evolution is the series of adaptative changes within an organism in response to alterations within their environment. That means; this theory also supports speciation (formation of new species). But according to the Darwinian model, this process majorly hinges on natural process of selection - which presupposes that the species that adapt favorably to its environment would be preferred for survival - in a process known as "Natural Selection".
Okay, for the major part of it, this theory actually holds water - no wonder it was looked upon as the "survival of the best fitted". But in reality, does "Natural Selection" actually mean "survival of the best fitted"? No doubt, the best fitted in every of the evolutionary trail had survived, but is it purely based on natural factors, like the Natural Selection suggests? Maybe we'll drive this way back to the era of our ancestral grandpas to have a clearer understanding. We'll start from when man became a bipedal creature.
BIPEDALISM AND UPRIGHTNESS IN MAN
Which of the Hominid species can be credited to be the first to be bipedal (walking on two legs)? I know you'd be quick to say "Homo erectus". Really? Is it because of the "erectus" that suffixed the name? I may state here that "bipedalism" is not the same as "uprightness"
When you look at the present day Ape, you would agree with me that most of them are either quadrupedal (walking on all fours) or partly bipedal - walking on the legs, but with added support of the hands. And this posture was exactly how the ancestors of modern man were. Of course, they needed it because of their tree-climbing and arboreal lifestyle. Also, their feet were prehensile to aid them to grasp tree trunks and stuffs.
But a major breakthrough was heralded with the evolution of the Sahelanthropus tchadensis (which was recognized as the border line between Ape-men and Ape). Though they were extremely crude and with obvious Ape-like features, but they were among the earliest bipedal hominid species. But the fact here is; even though they walked on two legs, they still bent over - so it is a "yes" for bipedalism, but a "no" for uprightness (by uprightness, I mean "fully erect"). Because of their bipedalism, the Sahelanthropus tchadensis shifted from the arboreal habitation to dwelling majorly on land, and this also ensured their survival. Though they still had somewhat prehensile feet, and could grasp shit with their feet.
Moving over to the Australopithecus spp; which also brought the usage of tools; the bipedalism was consolidated upon, and the feet adapted more to ground-walking. Then the big one came with the Homo habilis (man with ability), with the creative acumen of fashioning their own tools (ancient technology), this made their hands freer to handle tools. It is not surprising that the next specie succeeding it was the Homo erectus (upright man), where uprightness in man was initiated - because the hands were freed totally from support, and shifted to the handling of tools in the preceding Homo habilis species. That means; technology (stone tools) had effect on the evolution of “uprightness”.
Just to let you know, the uprightness in man also had a positive impact on the overall height of man. Maybe this might interest you; the average height of the Australopithecus was 3.5ft [ref], but with the Homo erectus being upright, they were able to achieve the height of 6.1ft [ref] - so here's the trend: From the introduction of stone tools, to the uprightness in man, then to the increase in height. So all thanks should go to the ancient technology of tool making. Now, hasn't technology affected the trail of evolution? Would you still call this Natural Selection?
This is just to consider the ancient technology, but what about the most recent of all? One thing with the human body is; we're known to adapt to changes within our environment, and that includes technological changes. Maybe our bodies' neuroplastic ability has a part to play in this. That is why it has been said by many that the advances in technology have almost rendered the Darwinian system of evolution ineffective.
Maybe we'll take this example: Before this era, the use of antibiotics and prophylaxis were not actually necessary, because our body immune systems were capable of wadding off unwanted strangers. But now, the reverse is the case with the introduction of antibiotics - our immune systems are not as strong; because of over-reliance on prophylaxis. Again, take this example: The processing power of our brain has been seen to take a little reverse gear. You know what should be queried for this? Computational devices. Personally, why should I perform a complex calculation with my brain when I can lay hand on calculator? And that's how the trend goes, and we become less reliant on our computational acumen.
In all these technology-induced evolution (technovolution), the natural evolutionary process is still present (but to a reduced extent). But would there be a point where the natural evolutionary process would be completely overridden by artificial evolution? – Yeah!! "Transhumanism" era.
TECHNOVOLUTION AND TRANSHUMANISM
When you were born, did you have the choice of how you were to be born, and what function you were meant to achieve? Obviously not... But what if I tell you that it would be possible to create the humans we desire, would you believe me? Maybe this would open your eyes a little: Since the advent of genetic engineering, the human genetic materials has been seen to be tweaked here and there , but a major breakthrough happened when some group of scientists went further to tweak the gene down to the embryo. That means, even the baby would be born with the specifically desired features.
Remember that humans didn't just fall from oblivion, but were the resultant effect of series of adaptation and evolution spanning through hundreds of thousands of years. But what's the place of transhumanism in this? Simply "Transhumanism" is a concept (though only presently existing in theory), in which the human make-up would be tweaked so heavily to remove the inherent weaknesses in humans, and replacing them with the strength of; maybe; machines - thus, giving rise to the creation of humans with extra-human abilities (human+ or H+). I know some could be saying that this only exists in theory, but it is worthy to note that; something being theorized is not equated to it being fictitious - After all, the whole evolutionary processes are heavily theorized.
Now the natural process of evolution is about to transcend into the limbo with the idea of transhumanism. But also, transhumanism has its destination in "Singularity". Wassup with singularity? Okay let's break it down like this: Your entire body is a collection of some trillions of cells that make up "you", in the same way, the idea of singularity is to collate and collect the entire human race to a single intelligent platform, and it would be placed in apposition to the computational powers of machines. You wouldn't be wrong to call this "human-machine merger". And of course you know that by this proposed year, the natural theories of evolution would have completely ceased to exist.
So y'all have seen that technology could be the next phase of the evolution of humankind. And the truth is; this process has already begun, but it's nothing compared to what is coming ahead. Would you say "hail technology" or "fuck technology"? The decision is yours to make.
Final Words
Evolution has been thought to be series of adaptative alterations, but are these alterations purely natural or are they influenced by external forces like technology? Definitely yes; and technology is not yet done with us until; maybe; we all become fully immersed in technology, or when the singularity would arrive.
Tech rules!!
References for further reading:
- The nature of australopithecus afarensis species
- Uprightness in man - Homo erectus
- Technology and Evolution - Singularityhhub
- The appearance of the early modern Homo sapiens
- humanorigins/evidences of human-fossils
- Extinct hominid species
- Natural selection and adaptation
- Hominid_species/tool-making
- Becoming human - sahelanthropus tchadensis
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