Evolution is not an Improvement
by Ben Atlas on 11.24.2011.1:52pm · 0 comments
Nassim Taleb: “There is this illusion that humans have evolved to fit what we call cultural, social, economic, and technological progress, when in fact the only elements that survive are those that evolve to fit humans.”
I responded: “It’s hard to make this statement when we live in a society where most food is unfit for consumption, most work is unfit for human dignity and the political process is unfit for the 99%.” Evolution is not synonymous with progress, the majority of the evolutionary branches are dead ends. Specifically humans have the unique intelligence to rig the system. They have the special capacity for deception. For example they can flood the market with sugar (religions, etc.) because humans buy (the ultimate argument) sweets.
Further reading: Tagged as:
aphorism,
nassim nicholas taleb
Evolution is not an Improvement
by Ben Atlas on 11.24.2011.1:52pm · 0 comments
Nassim Taleb: “There is this illusion that humans have evolved to fit what we call cultural, social, economic, and technological progress, when in fact the only elements that survive are those that evolve to fit humans.”
I responded: “It’s hard to make this statement when we live in a society where most food is unfit for consumption, most work is unfit for human dignity and the political process is unfit for the 99%.” Evolution is not synonymous with progress, the majority of the evolutionary branches are dead ends. Specifically humans have the unique intelligence to rig the system. They have the special capacity for deception. For example they can flood the market with sugar (religions, etc.) because humans buy (the ultimate argument) sweets.
Further reading:Tagged as: aphorism, nassim nicholas taleb