There are 37 days until the end of the year. In case you were wondering.
Yes indeedy. November 24th is the 328th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. How did we come so far, so fast?
It has been a tossy-turny year in many ways. I suppose they all are, here and there.
Yes, here we creatures are. Living it. Stomping through it. Lying down it. Doing what we humans do.
But, as the Talking Heads so aptly ask in their song Stop Making Sense…
“How did I get here?”
Well. On this date, in 1859, The Origin of Species, published by Charles Darwin, became one of the most important scientific books ever written. It introduced the theory of evolution by natural selection, which has transformed our understanding of the living world.
In his book, Darwin argued that all species on Earth are descended from a common ancestor, and that they have changed over time through a process of natural selection. I just realized the brand of honey ham I eat is called “Natural Selection.” Uhhhh. I might want to rethink that choice.
Anyway. Natural selection is a process by which individuals with traits that are better suited to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on those traits to their offspring.
Darwin’s theory of evolution was based on a number of observations, including:
— The fact that all living things have many similarities. This suggests that we all share a common ancestor.
— The fact that fossils show a progression of life forms over time, with new species appearing and old species becoming extinct.
— The fact that different species of animals and plants are often found in different geographic areas. This suggests that they have evolved over time to adapt to their local environments.
— The fact that artificial selection can be used to breed new varieties of plants and animals. This points to the postulation that natural selection could also drive evolution in nature.
Darwin’s theory of evolution was met with resistance from some scientists and religious leaders at the time. Yes. They bucked up right against him, and it. But. It has since become one of the most well-established and widely accepted theories in science.
All of this shows us that all life is interconnected. All living things on Earth are descended from a common ancestor, and we are all related to each other. If only we could remember this. All of us.
It also shows us that life is constantly changing. Evolution is an ongoing process, and new species are constantly emerging.
The theory has also proven that adaptation is key to survival.
Darwin was a thinker. His good work, the theory of evolution, has forever changed our understanding of the world and our place in it.
It has shown us that we are not separate from the natural world. We are all a connected part of it.
In honor of the day, I’m going to eat a banana. Just like my cousins.
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“Evolution is the process by which life becomes more complex.” – Lynn Margulis
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“Evolution is the process by which life adapts to its environment.” – Stephen Jay Gould
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“Evolution is the process by which life changes over time.” – Charles Darwin
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The every going, non-stop progression.
