In the light of the release of scientific release of Ardipithecus ramidus, the fossilised bones of the now believed to be man's earliest known ancestor has/is re-writing our linage.(4 million years + . 1 million years older than 'Lucy'. It is argued to put back our common ancestor with chimpanzees now believed to be about 8 million years. She (more females! one wonders were are all the males ....equal rights for fossils I say! :-) ) shows an upright gait etc.
more than Lucy!
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2009/1001/1 there is a ten minute video clip that explains it well or read 11 articles.

This raises several issues worthy of discussion.
It seems one more nail in the Religious Fundamentalist 'intelligent design' argument.
Especially the recently released fossil of the proto-amphibian, archaeopteryx (half reptile/bird) etc .

In the light of the argument that is currently in play about a new geological epoch Anthroscene to reflect humans geological effect on the earth.
It is argued that humans are the only species to have changed the WORLD environment and are altering natural selection with drugs and soon genetically. Or are we simply altering the direction of evolution? In which case how will we evolve (into), why ?

Being the only species capable of a semblance of objectivity, we ought now to be consciously seeking to drive our own evolution. I am of course talking about social/cultural evolution--which inevitably attracts pejorative accusations about eugenics and social engineering. But the fact is that we are evolving socially all the time (which also acts at the psychological level, and perhaps at the level of 'drives' via changing superegoic criteria); we just need to grab the steering wheel. Human social/cultural--ergo psychological--evolution is at present driven by laissez-faire economics; virtually all social mores are up for grabs; values are commodities that are promoted successfully or not and are taken up accordingly. The thing is, every human breast is host to a quotient of primal content that is acted upon by the prevailing social norms without. We need research into the splicing of innate and social influences; into how, or if, these can be adjusted so that a 'healthy' (to be defined) symbioses can be generated at the individual and cultural levels. At present our dysfunctional, delusive selves are the "channels" via which our respective drives are processed into capital.
Ardie's evolution was spontaneous and serendipitous; modern eco(nomic) man is the destructive "product" of economic indifference.

Xammy, creationism and intelligent design were never realistic concepts worthy of anything more than a cursory examination, then total dismissal!

Our understanding of the evolutionary process, of man and of animals in general, is rapidly increasing. Amazing stuff has been found in recent years, such as Ardipithecus ramidus and Homo floresiensis: http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/homs/flores.html and a wide array of excellent finds in Liaoning Province, China, eg: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/09/090928205415.htm.

I think that the Anthropocene period is a good concept - a whole new period in the earth's history brought about by humans. http://www.google.com.au/search?rlz=1C1SKPC_enAU335AU336&aq=f&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=anthropocene

Even though humans have only had a significant effect for the last couple of centuries, which is incredibly short in terms of a geological or evolutionary timescale, the changes that we have set in train are enormous and rapidly accelerating.

"...are we simply altering the direction of evolution?"

Don't know about 'simply', but yes we certainly are...big-time!

"In which case how will we evolve (into), why ?"

Well, we are evolving into a bigger and more robust animal at a rapid rate, with our kids being almost universally taller than their parents, at least in affluent parts of the world. But I think that this will stop and probably reverse very soon as our access to basic resources changes becomes much more difficult.

Our heads will get bigger as our brains swell!

We'll probably have a vastly increased rate of evolution in the near future as we start genetically engineering our offspring.

Then we'll run into some very serious competition as our computers / robots take on their own consciousness, become intelligent beings and rise up in competition to us. Maybe they'll even take over and wipe us out or turn us into their slaves.

Whatever the case, I think that we are on the cusp of a major change in the way that evolution has operated thus far.

But while evolution changes for us and for all manner of organisms that we utilise, and while lots of other species will go extinct, lots more will survive and continue to evolve and flourish in the conventional way.

(:>)

<<It seems one more nail in the Religious Fundamentalist..'intelligent design'..argument.>>>seems is a strong word...things may not be as it seems

<<Especially the recently released fossil of the proto-amphibian, archaeopteryx(half reptile/bird) etc>>..lol it seems someone used ..modern domestic chicken feathers making that appearnce..conveniantly jumped on to prove a theory...its a fraud bro..do your research...things are not as they seem

<<In the light of the argument>>>in lue of fact<<..that is currently in play..about a new geological epoch Anthroscene..>>oh so we have geology...not evolution...<<to reflect humans geological effect on the earth.>>.lol so sad you guys dont really read your own spin


<<It is argued>>..not proven..<<..that humans are the only species to have changed the WORLD environment>>>yeah loquests infestations and bacteria..are genomes not species specific...<<and are altering natural selection with drugs and soon genetically.>>>

great there is a great point you lot arnt considering...gmo vacines continue their mutation in our bodies...they were made by splicing genes...that keep splicing in our bodies

<<Or are we simply altering the direction of evolution?>>>no monsanto's and the eugenics mob are[darwinians wanting racial purity...or racial sepperation...here the dumb serfs work to death..for a bed and a meal..and medicine to treat the gmo cancers..no work no medicine...no credit

<<In which case WHAT..will we evolve..(into),>>darwinian eugenisysts under the messiah[dorkins]..<<why..?>>>sheep do as sheep are led to do..via cash/credit/food..we are shaped into securitised debt instrument securities....and we are destrascted with destractions

why are they always femail?..well seems the evolution evidence proves we [our decendaNTS..WERE ALL FEMAIL...NO MALES NEEDED...AND OUR FUTURE[NO FEMAILS...WE CAN NOW DO AS gOD DID..

[remove that pesky ...;y'..chromosone and create and only dicile/femail...as they..[the patent holders of the 'y'..chose..and when they chose...

or better..seek exclusive franchised/control..of the y chromosone alltogether...by putting female hormaoans in the water..and just have docile woman servants..to the neo elite..[the few darwinian/fertile males...

dont you guys read prophecy...ooops forgot your athiests
well good luck with that...eh

More desperation by gullible people trying to validate a myth. I suppose when you deny the obvious (a Creator) you have to come up with fraud number 3008 and build a story around a fossil that is imagery. Quite pathetic rally. And they say Christians have blind faith. That is hilarous when you read this story.

More desperation by gullible people trying to validate a myth. I suppose when you deny the obvious (a Creator) you have to come up with fraud number 3008 and build a story around a fossil that is imagery. Quite pathetic really. And they say Christians have blind faith. That is hilarous when you read this story.