Absurdity of Evolution

Foreword

While the basic history of life, that is as the self replicating molecule known as RNA is relatively known, the process in which it develops into the current lifeform we all know today is incredibly absurd. In response to my previous essay about life, I implied that I was supportive of a Lamarckist theory of evolution. However, after I had researched more about evolution, it becomes apparent that Lamarck’s theory, while on the right track is not accurate. As modern science discovers, it is proven that changes in an organism’s characteristics that are heritable, that is able to be passed down into offspring, can only be caused by change in actual genetic information. So, this means if a giraffe has longer neck, and is passed down its offspring, it is because the very genetic material that controls that trait is changed, not because of the animal stretching its neck. Although this theory is sufficiently proven, it is still incredibly absurd, and this essay will prove just that, the absurdity of evolution.

Absurdity

Heritable changes to an organism can only be caused by a sudden change in the genetic code of such organism, even then it can only happen with sex cells, as they are the ones that becomes the offspring in the future. Such changes are known as mutations, mutations happen because of an error in the replication of the genetic material during cell division. Mutations that contribute to the process of evolution are those that happen during meiosis, division of cells into sex cells, or gametes. Mutations that happen to normal body cells, or somatic cells, will not contribute to the process of evolution.

The process of evolution itself as describe by Darwin happens by a process known as natural selection. In an environment, there are organisms that have different variations, let’s take the giraffe as an example. Long ago, there are long necked giraffes and there are short necked giraffes. Naturally, long necked giraffes have more opportunities to survive, as they can reach for higher trees and thus has more food. On the other hand, short necked giraffes have less opportunities, and if the short trees die out, they will have no food and starve to death. This means that overall, long necked giraffes are more capable to survive, reproduce and pass on their genes. While short necked giraffes are less capable, and less of their genes are passed on. As time progresses, short necked giraffes will die out completely, leaving the long necked girrafes we now know today.

The variations of short necked and long necked giraffes are all caused by genetic mutation. In this example, genetic mutation of the genes responsible for length of neck in a giraffe is perfectly acceptable. It only changes the trait from one value to another value, mere rearrangement of the genetic material should be sufficient. These kinds of genetic mutations, which if happens by random chance is perfectly sensible, however, are not the main driving force of evolution. As it is akin to a genetic mutation that changes color, or height, or any existing trait that can be changed without making any drastic additions. The evolution of the blowhole on the ancestors of whales, while seemingly absurd, is still sensible, though the randomness is much more severe than that of the necks of a giraffe. True absurdity of mutation can be found in the very beginnings of life, the first cells.

In the previous essay, it is described that floating RNA entered fatty lipid vesicles and thus the first cell was born. However so, a cell membrane is only heritable if the changes also happen to the genetic code, that is the RNA itself. For the first few divisions, perhaps it is possible for cells to propagate in such Lamarckist manner, but a fatty lipid vesicle can only divide for so long before its material will grow too thin and thus simply disperse upon division. As a result, a very important question arises, how does the RNA mutate to maintain a cell membrane? Pure random chance would be absurd. Is it possible? Perhaps, but is it absurd? Certainly. As in fact, how would the RNA mutate to include information that dictates the maintaining of a cell membrane, and the creation of one independent of surrounding vesicles? Previously mentioned mutations are merely rearrangement of information that it states another value, this kind of mutation however, requires the addition of information. In conclusion, this simple problem proves just how absurd evolution and mutation is in the early stages of life. For this to happen because of pure randomness would require a scientific miracle. Unfortunately, this is not the only absurd part of mutation, as there is something more absurd than cell membranes, humans.

Consciousness, something that is so intrinsic to the human being, and common to us, that it becomes an unchecked subject of science. Widely ignored in most studies, consciousness is the awareness of the self. It is important to distinguish awareness of the self and mere information that the self exists. An advanced computer or program may deduce that it exists, and contain that information, but it is not aware such as the human being. The mutation of genetical information as such that it enables consciousness is the most absurd feature of evolution. Why would a mutation of small genetic material would induce consciousness in an organism? Furthermore, how can consciousness happen gradually? We all know consciousness as something is whole, raw perception, awareness. Consciousness is not enabled by language, it simply is, but how does it emerge from mere genetic mutation? Even if it does, why? Why are animals that have awareness of their self be more successful? Perhaps it enables them high intelligence, and thus be more effective in reproduction. However so, is it untrue that the emergence of human beings is a backfire towards natural selection? For with such lifeform, a potential to wipe out life itself, and cancel millions of years of evolution has been created. Even then, perhaps all of this is random chance, or perhaps, it isn’t.