Maize

[Fireball]

I suspect they found the original of some use, and exploited random mutations as they came along. (Beer comes to mind.)

In Peru (and in other ancient cultures, including China), people chewed the milled corn to facilitate fermentation. Personally, I'll just let some fungus breed in the vat until it dies in its own waste (alcohol and carbon dioxide).

Chew it Up, Spit it Out

[Minimalist]

I suspect they found the original of some use, and exploited random mutations as they came along. (Beer comes to mind.)

I don't know.


It's a long way from Teosinte to Maize!



You not only have to factor in the obvious changes from one to the other but do it against a back drop of an average life expectancy of 25-28 years and understand that these were subsistence farmers who had to eat while they were doing it.  Scientists have pretty much ruled out a natural process.  But it is mind boggling to think of these people following a multi-generational project while trying to survive at the same time.

And, no.  There was no fucking god involved.  I doubt the religitards would credit Viracocha anyway.

[polymath257]

Don't forget here that the early versions of corn had very small ears (about an inch long). They were not very similar to what we think of as corn today.

And why wouldn't people from 9,000 years ago be able to do this? In Mesopotamia, they were domesticating wheat and other grains about the same time. They were even starting to build cities.

We tend to forget that people 10,000 years ago were *fully modern humans* with the same intellectual capabilities as people today. They didn't have as much *information*, but they were just as creative and able to learn about their environment as we are today (although from a different knowledge base).

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I suspect they found the original of some use, and exploited random mutations as they came along. (Beer comes to mind.)

I don't know.


It's a long way from Teosinte to Maize!



You not only have to factor in the obvious changes from one to the other but do it against a back drop of an average life expectancy of 25-28 years and understand that these were subsistence farmers who had to eat while they were doing it.  Scientists have pretty much ruled out a natural process.  But it is mind boggling to think of these people following a multi-generational project while trying to survive at the same time.

And, no.  There was no fucking god involved.  I doubt the religitards would credit Viracocha anyway.

First off, the father could pass down information to the son.  Second, selective breeding is not a natural process.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I feel like someone's stalking me.

Goes against your grain, does it?

Boru

[Gawdzilla Sama]

I feel like someone's stalking me.

Goes against your grain, does it?

Boru

It can be a real tassel. 

[JackRussell]

But the world is only 6000 years old.

You are all so fucking deluded.

Evidence is for satanists only.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

But the world is only 6000 years old.

You are all so fucking deluded.

Evidence is for satanists only.

Okay, I like Santana, so what?

[Minimalist]

I don't know.


It's a long way from Teosinte to Maize!



You not only have to factor in the obvious changes from one to the other but do it against a back drop of an average life expectancy of 25-28 years and understand that these were subsistence farmers who had to eat while they were doing it.  Scientists have pretty much ruled out a natural process.  But it is mind boggling to think of these people following a multi-generational project while trying to survive at the same time.

And, no.  There was no fucking god involved.  I doubt the religitards would credit Viracocha anyway.

First off, the father could pass down information to the son.  Second, selective breeding is not a natural process.

Yeah.... provided he didn't die when the kid was 3. 

But selective breeding requires an amazing adherence to a plan.  Certainly not natural. 

Don't forget here that the early versions of corn had very small ears (about an inch long). They were not very similar to what we think of as corn today.

And why wouldn't people from 9,000 years ago be able to do this? In Mesopotamia, they were domesticating wheat and other grains about the same time. They were even starting to build cities.

Agreed, it is an intermediary step but the foresight to envision one to the other is astounding.

Wild wheat was growing in Turkey.  There wasn't a lot of bio-engineering required to get an immediate reward.

[JackRussell]

But the world is only 6000 years old.

You are all so fucking deluded.

Evidence is for satanists only.

Okay, I like Santana, so what?

Well that was your dirty secret

Gooooooo GooooooD