What's the Next Step in Evolution for Homo Sapiens?

[The Valkyrie]

We're the only species in the Homo genus.  Is it possible this could change? Have we shown signs of continuing evolution or have we reached a plateau?

Actually our brains have been shrinking since the stone age.

http://discovermagazine.com/2010/sep/25-...-shrinking

numbers: Over the past 20,000 years, the average volume of the human male brain has decreased from 1,500 cubic centimeters to 1,350 cc, losing a chunk the size of a tennis ball. The female brain has shrunk by about the same proportion. “I’d call that major downsizing in an evolutionary eyeblink,” he says. “This happened in China, Europe, Africa—everywhere we look.” If our brain keeps dwindling at that rate over the next 20,000 years, it will start to approach the size of that found in Homo erectus, a relative that lived half a million years ago and had a brain volume of only 1,100

Trump voters may be a sign of things to come.

One theory on this, the one I hold to, is that the human brain is shrinking because it's rewiring itself, becoming denser and more efficient so a smaller brain can hold more information, not because we're becoming more stupid.

[paulpablo]

I think one possibility that might influence a jump in human evolution is genetic engineering.

Assuming technology keeps going steadily forwards I wouldn't be surprised if the next age after the Information Age is the genetic age.

This isn't my original idea it's actually the plot of a civilisation game. But I don't see it as being outside the realms of possibility, genetic engineering is happening now, I can imagine it becoming more advanced and being used more efficiently, directly and frequently on humans.

Although I have an idea that nature limits how intelligent human societies become. I think societies with higher intelligence tend to have lower birth rates and higher suicide rates and higher rates of depression.

[ignoramus]

Knowing my luck, when I'm born again in a million years, I'll still be a hairy bastard!

[Alex K]

I think one possibility that might influence a jump in human evolution is genetic engineering.

Assuming technology keeps going steadily forwards I wouldn't be surprised if the next age after the Information Age is the genetic age.

This isn't my original idea it's actually the plot of a civilisation game. But I don't see it as being outside the realms of possibility, genetic engineering is happening now, I can imagine it becoming more advanced and being used more efficiently, directly and frequently on humans.

Although I have an idea that nature limits how intelligent human societies become. I think societies with higher intelligence tend to have lower birth rates and higher suicide rates and higher rates of depression.

That's my point above, I think with the technical advances of the past 3 years, we will see germ line gene editing in humans in the next 50 years whether we like it or not. *someone* will do it.4

[KUSA]

If it involves two dicks I want no part of it. More boobs on the other hand...............

It would be fine with me as long as I could find a gal with a double barreled cunt.

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I think people will evolve back into monkeys in a few thousand years.

But humanity will die out if we all become Republicans!

At least you would have a snazzy looking hairdo.

[I_am_not_mafia]

Aren't we supposed to evolve super powers or something?

If it happens though it won't be like the comics, more like this ...

http://www.smbc-comics.com/?id=2305

[The Valkyrie]

If it involves two dicks I want no part of it. More boobs on the other hand...............

It would be fine with me as long as I could find a gal with a double barreled cunt.

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But humanity will die out if we all become Republicans!

At least you would have a snazzy looking hairdo.

I like my hair the way it is.

[Anomalocaris]

I think people will evolve back into monkeys in a few thousand years.

But humanity will die out if we all become Republicans!

he said monkeys, not slime molds.

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If it involves two dicks I want no part of it. More boobs on the other hand...............

It would be fine with me as long as I could find a gal with a double barreled cunt.

---

But humanity will die out if we all become Republicans!

At least you would have a snazzy looking hairdo.

That looks the mold on wet old bread.

[ignoramus]

I think one possibility that might influence a jump in human evolution is genetic engineering.

Assuming technology keeps going steadily forwards I wouldn't be surprised if the next age after the Information Age is the genetic age.

This isn't my original idea it's actually the plot of a civilisation game. But I don't see it as being outside the realms of possibility, genetic engineering is happening now, I can imagine it becoming more advanced and being used more efficiently, directly and frequently on humans.

Although I have an idea that nature limits how intelligent human societies become. I think societies with higher intelligence tend to have lower birth rates and higher suicide rates and higher rates of depression.

That's my point above, I think with the technical advances of the past 3 years, we will see germ line gene editing in humans in the next 50 years whether we like it or not. *someone* will do it.4

Why is it that the young ones are developing more allergies these days...?
I hope we don't all turn into bubble kids in the future...
Maybe playing in the mud and kissing our pets as kids really is the best thing for us healthwise...

I mean, the germs we're immune to killed the martians, right?

[Rhondazvous]

One theory on this, the one I hold to, is that the human brain is shrinking because it's rewiring itself, becoming denser and more efficient so a smaller brain can hold more information, not because we're becoming more stupid.

Those are my thoughts exactly. Our brains have gone from vacuum tubes to integrated circuits. In 20,000 years we'll be down to microchips. smaller brain means faster communication between synapsis. Not to mention, decreased birth pains.

Although, what he said about Trump voters may be grounds for further research. It's possible that when brains were being passed out, they were in the control group.