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An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:00 am
Before posting the following quote I'd like, if I may, to ask people to refrain from talking about deities in any context in this topic. Being selfish, I wish only to debate from a scientific perspective. The quote itself was made in the field of engineering.
"With regard to this question of functionalism and "efficiency" Nature seems to have a sense of humour, or perhaps just a sense of proportion. She will construct the stem of a plant, for instance, with the uttermost regard for metabolic economy; the thing is a miracle of structural efficiency. Having done this, she will put a great big flower on top - for fun, as far as one can see. In the same way, peacocks have tails and girls have hair which cannot be considered strictly functional. If it be urged by some dreary person that these things are done to encourage reproduction, this is only putting the argument back by one notch. For why should these ornaments be attractive, sexually or otherwise" (J.E.Gordon: one of the founders of materials science and biomechanics)
Whilst I'd argue that flowers do serve functions other than looking pretty (and why we should find them aesthetically pleasing is interesting in itself) peacock feathers, or the mammary glands of homo sapiens seem unnecessarily developed.
I'd be fascinated to hear the opinions of others on this (if it hasn't already been discussed).
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:13 am
Interesting video that's on topic is the first from one of Summers Botany threads.
http://atheistforums.org/thread-9933.html
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:13 am
You are a joke ...RIGHT???
Since when do YOU have ANY idea what a plant needs to propagate it??
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:32 am
(March 17, 2012 at 10:00 am)mannaka Wrote: If it be urged by some dreary person that these things are done to encourage reproduction, this is only putting the argument back by one notch. For why should these ornaments be attractive, sexually or otherwise" (J.E.Gordon: one of the founders of materials science and biomechanics)
Whilst I'd argue that flowers do serve functions other than looking pretty (and why we should find them aesthetically pleasing is interesting in itself) peacock feathers, or the mammary glands of homo sapiens seem unnecessarily developed.
I would say its to encourage reproduction. 
Like in the video. The large flower means that more insects will help to pollinate. So more big flowers. Seems wasteful but its not if its helping it to reproduce better.
Same with all animals. Although with animals you have social aspects to take into account.
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:39 am
(This post was last modified: March 17, 2012 at 10:44 am by The Grand Nudger.)
Many things make decisions with their eyes (or their noses..whatever that would mean for any given species). The bigger, brighter, more fragrant flower gets noticed, the girl with the massive knockers gets noticed. In truth, these things don't really have to "pleasing" per se (and what would that really mean to a bee or a flower anyway?) they just have to help you stand out. With regards to flowers, I don't know what part of a flower the author of that quote thinks is wasteful...I can assure you that there is no such waste is occurring. Massive displays of feathers are useful for more than just admiring. Imagine looking at a peacock with the less refined eyes and brains of some predators, it might seem just a little bit larger than it is, and all those eyespots...is it staring at you, just what kind of animal is this anyway? Fuck this, off to find an easier meal! All mammals have "unnecessarily" developed mammary glands......hence.."mammal", derived from "mamma", meaning teat or pap (but I don't think that our offspring would consider them as such).
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:40 am
(March 17, 2012 at 10:00 am)mannaka Wrote: Before posting the following quote I'd like, if I may, to ask people to refrain from talking about deities in any context in this topic. Being selfish, I wish only to debate from a scientific perspective. The quote itself was made in the field of engineering.
"With regard to this question of functionalism and "efficiency" Nature seems to have a sense of humour, or perhaps just a sense of proportion. She will construct the stem of a plant, for instance, with the uttermost regard for metabolic economy; the thing is a miracle of structural efficiency. Having done this, she will put a great big flower on top - for fun, as far as one can see. In the same way, peacocks have tails and girls have hair which cannot be considered strictly functional. If it be urged by some dreary person that these things are done to encourage reproduction, this is only putting the argument back by one notch. For why should these ornaments be attractive, sexually or otherwise" (J.E.Gordon: one of the founders of materials science and biomechanics)
Whilst I'd argue that flowers do serve functions other than looking pretty (and why we should find them aesthetically pleasing is interesting in itself) peacock feathers, or the mammary glands of homo sapiens seem unnecessarily developed.
I'd be fascinated to hear the opinions of others on this (if it hasn't already been discussed).
You gotta be kidding. Go read The Greatest Show On Earth and you will read a description of why plants look as they do and as an added bonus you will find out why some look radically different under UV light. Then again, we wouldn't want to destroy your preconceived bias against evolutionary biology so go on thinking there must be a designer.
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:42 am
You really don't know anything do you mannaka?
You have not LOOKED at the world around you... it is ALL ABOUT SEX AND REPRODUCTION.
What would seem excessive to you is VITAL to other species. you ARE an animal and excessive displays of reproductive prowess is vital for the continuance of the genetic code that you carry... nothing more.
Remember...there is no god/s...only SMP
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:46 am
"Sex and death, in an interesting, night time telly sort of way"...lol
I am the Infantry. I am my country’s strength in war, her deterrent in peace. I am the heart of the fight… wherever, whenever. I carry America’s faith and honor against her enemies. I am the Queen of Battle. I am what my country expects me to be, the best trained Soldier in the world. In the race for victory, I am swift, determined, and courageous, armed with a fierce will to win. Never will I fail my country’s trust. Always I fight on…through the foe, to the objective, to triumph overall. If necessary, I will fight to my death. By my steadfast courage, I have won more than 200 years of freedom. I yield not to weakness, to hunger, to cowardice, to fatigue, to superior odds, For I am mentally tough, physically strong, and morally straight. I forsake not, my country, my mission, my comrades, my sacred duty. I am relentless. I am always there, now and forever. I AM THE INFANTRY! FOLLOW ME!
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 10:48 am
SMP = Sex Money and Power.... Why do you think there are enough soapies for that theme?
"The Universe is run by the complex interweaving of three elements: energy, matter, and enlightened self-interest." G'Kar-B5
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RE: An interesting quote on evolution
March 17, 2012 at 11:38 am
(March 17, 2012 at 10:48 am)KichigaiNeko Wrote: SMP = Sex Money and Power....
Well, so far I'm batting 0 for 3. Might as well turn it in. No flowers, please.
At the age of five, Skagra decided emphatically that God did not exist. This revelation tends to make most people in the universe who have it react in one of two ways - with relief or with despair. Only Skagra responded to it by thinking, 'Wait a second. That means there's a situation vacant.'
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