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Wednesday 15 April 2015

Totalitarian genes

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Suppose our genes have opted for a global totalitarian regime as the only alternative to permanent war or nuclear annihilation.

Or suppose they have opted for the role of global peasants as the only alternative to unsustainable development.

In which case our genes may be taking evasive action against perceived threats. The threats don’t have to be real of course. As long as a majority of genes believe they are real. Perhaps the twisted sods have no principles...

...our genes that is.

4 comments:

Sam Vega said...

That's quite an unsettling post, AKH. That might make us proud bearers of maladaptive genes which will shuttle us off in the direction of the dinosaurs. Which might, of course, be the better option.

Presumably, we could work out the teleological purpose of mankind by finding out what our genes were doing, and then calculating the likely effects of them interacting in the most likely ways. That's a big old spreadsheet, but it might enable us to get the general drift. At what point do you think your hypothesis would start to look true?

A K Haart said...

Sam - there are a few tests we could apply.

For example, if voters begin voting for parties which don't intend to change anything then I think the hypothesis could be on the right lines.

Sounds unlikely I know, because voters consider the issues carefully and are fully prepared to change their voting habits if that is what is required.

To push it a little further, if political parties ever reach the stage where they can be represented merely by a colour, then we are in trouble.

Demetrius said...

I could just fancy a big chunk of mammoth but I may have to see off some of the neighbours to get it.

A K Haart said...

Demetrius - you may need their help to bring it down though. Worth thinking about freezer capacity too.