Techno-Cultural Evolution
Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Technology, Social Aspects, Science, Biological Sciences, Evolution
| Author: | William McDonald Wallace | ISBN: | 9781612343259 |
| Publisher: | Potomac Books Inc. | Publication: | February 27, 2006 |
| Imprint: | Potomac Books Inc. | Language: | English |
| Author: | William McDonald Wallace |
| ISBN: | 9781612343259 |
| Publisher: | Potomac Books Inc. |
| Publication: | February 27, 2006 |
| Imprint: | Potomac Books Inc. |
| Language: | English |
Evolution has long shaped human behavior. Yet just recently have we learned that evolution based on natural selection is not the continuous process Darwin assumed. It is instead a two-part process of change and stability called punctuated equilibrium, with natural selection operating mainly on the frontiers of change.
Taking account of biologyÆs latest understanding of evolution, it becomes clear that culture evolves by a similar process. This is important because over the past 30,000 years most human evolution and the behavioral changes that go with it have occurred in our culturesûnot in our genes. Knowing the process by which culture evolves clarifies the origin of many of our current problems, both within and between cultures. The author contends that new technology drives cultural evolution much as mutations change our DNA. The problem is that technology is now coming at us so fast that it is inducing ôcircuit overloadö in cultures all over the world, leading to conflict. Techno-Cultural Evolution, which builds on the insights of such bestsellers as Jared DiamondÆs Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse, explains how this process worksùand what it means for all of us.
Taking account of biologyÆs latest understanding of evolution, it becomes clear that culture evolves by a similar process. This is important because over the past 30,000 years most human evolution and the behavioral changes that go with it have occurred in our culturesûnot in our genes. Knowing the process by which culture evolves clarifies the origin of many of our current problems, both within and between cultures. The author contends that new technology drives cultural evolution much as mutations change our DNA. The problem is that technology is now coming at us so fast that it is inducing ôcircuit overloadö in cultures all over the world, leading to conflict. Techno-Cultural Evolution, which builds on the insights of such bestsellers as Jared DiamondÆs Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse, explains how this process worksùand what it means for all of us.
Evolution has long shaped human behavior. Yet just recently have we learned that evolution based on natural selection is not the continuous process Darwin assumed. It is instead a two-part process of change and stability called punctuated equilibrium, with natural selection operating mainly on the frontiers of change.
Taking account of biologyÆs latest understanding of evolution, it becomes clear that culture evolves by a similar process. This is important because over the past 30,000 years most human evolution and the behavioral changes that go with it have occurred in our culturesûnot in our genes. Knowing the process by which culture evolves clarifies the origin of many of our current problems, both within and between cultures. The author contends that new technology drives cultural evolution much as mutations change our DNA. The problem is that technology is now coming at us so fast that it is inducing ôcircuit overloadö in cultures all over the world, leading to conflict. Techno-Cultural Evolution, which builds on the insights of such bestsellers as Jared DiamondÆs Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse, explains how this process worksùand what it means for all of us.
Taking account of biologyÆs latest understanding of evolution, it becomes clear that culture evolves by a similar process. This is important because over the past 30,000 years most human evolution and the behavioral changes that go with it have occurred in our culturesûnot in our genes. Knowing the process by which culture evolves clarifies the origin of many of our current problems, both within and between cultures. The author contends that new technology drives cultural evolution much as mutations change our DNA. The problem is that technology is now coming at us so fast that it is inducing ôcircuit overloadö in cultures all over the world, leading to conflict. Techno-Cultural Evolution, which builds on the insights of such bestsellers as Jared DiamondÆs Guns, Germs, and Steel and Collapse, explains how this process worksùand what it means for all of us.
