Demanding Mind: Human Evolution

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Demanding Mind by LPAC Basement Team, uploaded by laroucheyouth on 17 Sep 2011

In the video Demanding Mind, which takes up American geologist James Dwight Dana's elaboration of the concept of cephalization, the developments of the bodily structure and the (progressively becoming central) nervous system, producer and narrator Liona Fan Chiang poses a challenge to the viewers, asking us whether the reaching of a "maximum state, as expressed by humans," indicated the height of evolution. (11:51)


She threw the following questions: "Is this extreme centralization and control of our senses the ultimate purpose of this whole process, and is therefore evolution driving toward an end to evolution? Are we to be the ultimate sensual being? Or is this whole process yet a means to an end?" (12:00)


And here:
"This development leads us to a slightly disturbing implication. If the process of cephalization has reached a peak in the human form, does that mean that evolution into higher states has also reached its limit?" (5:33)


And here as well:
"While continuing in the same direction as demanded by mind, the emergence of mankind has marked the emergence of a species whose means of evolution has superseded change in physical form. Thought there's no doubt that, as we gain new senses, physical changes, especially in internal organization, will continue." (16:09)


I respond:
Contrary to the suggestion and preoccupation circling among those who think that human evolution may have halted, and similarly contrary to those who speculate with trepidation on the prospects of devolution, I posit that this evolutionary process is continuing. The next step has already been taken, albeit incipiently, in the form of cybernetics, robotics, and cyborgs. I suggest you check out the website of professor Kevin Warwick, if you haven't yet. Here he unveils the story of how he became the world's first cyborg in a ground breaking set of scientific experiments (and he's the guy who implanted a chip inside his arm). He presents very interesting questions, such as, "Can we use technology to upgrade humans?" http://www.kevinwarwick.com/index.asp


At this point, I believe that the Basement team and myself are in consonance on this matter of continuing human evolution, as Liona already mentioned in 16:09 (aha, play it again..) I suggest we look at the shift from a carbon-based organism to a silicon-based, or combined carbon-silicon based organism. (And of course, I would love to hear their thoughts on what I posted.)