Humanity's demographic will soon segment into four distinct categories.
A fresh take on the evolutionary future:
Hey there! Let's discuss an intriguing topic - the prospective transformation of our species by the end of the 21st century. You might be thinking it sounds like a scene from a futuristic movie, but it's based on the musings of renowned anthropologist Eudald Carbonell.
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Our modern human evolution may be at a critical junction, bordering on a narrow passage to survival - sounds familiar? But don't fret, we'll make it through! By the end of this century, Carbonell believes there will be four distinct beings populating our planet. And yes, we lucky souls are part of this group, as Homo sapiens. The rest will be the result of DNA manipulation and innovative technologies.
Does this all sound too far-fetched? Well, stick around, and Carbonell will shuffle past time and tap into ancient history to make his case. Since change has happened before, why not again?
Featured Image: Shutterstock.
EEE says:
Eudald Carbonell-i-Rovira, born in Spain in 1953, is no stranger to groundbreaking discoveries in human history. He earned academic degrees in both geology and history, and currently serves as a scientific researcher and professor at the University of Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain.
Carbonell spent two decades researching at the Atapuerca archaeological site in Spain, home to one of the world's most significant treasures in understanding human history. In 1994, he made headlines worldwide by discovering an unknown species of early human, Homo antecessor ("the antecedent human"), believed to be the first to settle in Europe around 800,000 years ago, pre-dating both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens.
What Turned apes into Humans? Here's Carbonell's Perspective:
Firstly, our ancestors took the brave step of standing upright (no one can argue with that).
Secondly, and this is where it gets interesting, they set their sights on conquering the world. They didn't stay in Africa but ventured out to other continents. Carbonell predicts the same sense of adventure will propel us to settle the Moon and neighboring planets if we wish to survive and continue our civilization's development. He boldly declares that we are all "conquistadors" at heart.
Thirdly, we don't just conquer and adapt the world to our needs, but we also revolutionize and transform it. From stone tools to modern smartphones and quantum computers, our technological advances are far from over. Our innate desire to conquer and adapt the world around us is one of the traits that made us human.
The INTERNET AS THE HEARTH IN OUR DIGITAL CAVE:
Fire once changed our ancestors' lives in a manner akin to the internet and artificial intelligence today.
Much like the internet, fire was not just about technological prowess, but communication. Fire turned a cave into a comfortable gathering spot, according to Carbonell's perspective.
It also contributed to the development of speech and social bonds: around the fire, people congregated to talk and share stories, which strengthened family and societal ties. Today, the internet plays a similar role.
Of course, there's a difference - humans took thousands of years to harness fire, while mastering the internet took mere decades. Carbonell acknowledges this disparity.
Like fire, the internet is about more than technological advancement; it's about connection and communication.
Life for primitive humans was short. They could raise children, but rarely watched their grandchildren grow. The tasks of survival - hunting, making fire, and creating clothing – had to be quickly passed from generation to generation to ensure the offspring could learn all they needed before their parents were gone.
And we still think our data sharing is rapid! Thousands of years ago, the speed of information flow was just as quick - it was just different.
From there came art, and the tradition of honoring the deceased with rituals and burials. These cultural developments marked significant stages in our species' evolution.
Artificial Intelligence - The Evolutionary Leap of the Future:
In Carbonell's view, technology and language were pivotal in making us human in the past. But what is artificial intelligence if not the advancement of technologies and language?
By the end of this century (and maybe sooner), there will be four distinct beings inhabiting our planet, predicts Carbonell. These include our natural selves, scientists' creations, individuals who have modified their DNA to ward off diseases, and cyborgs - people linked to chips and computers.
Even if one group becomes extinct, the others have a chance to survive, according to Carbonell. In fact, this has happened at least one other time in our history - 40,000 years ago, four or five human species coexisted on Earth, and only one eventually survived: ours.
BY THE WAY:
Ancient Coexistence - Denisova Cave on Altai proves it's possible:
In Kazakhstan, Denisova Cave is a hub of extraordinary ancient human history. Scientists have been studying it for nearly five decades, during which they've uncovered evidence of an unknown species of early humans, dubbed Denisovans.
Interestingly, in this Siberian cave, Denisovans lived alongside Neanderthals, evidenced by DNA shared between the two species. They also interacted with Homo sapiens, humans' ancestors. During certain periods, different human species coexisted on Earth and managed to live harmoniously together - an important reminder that change and adaptation are key to our survival.
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1. Eudald Carbonell's evolutionary predictions propose that by the end of this century, we, as Homo sapiens, will coexist with beings born from DNA manipulation and innovative technologies.2. In the eyes of Carbonell, artificial intelligence, an advancement of technologies and language, could be the leap in evolution that shapes the future of our species.3. Just as firing up the first fire revolutionized our ancestors' lives, the internet and its communications have transformed the 21st century in a manner reminiscent of that primal event.4. The evolution of our species, spanning centuries, has been marked by significant cultural developments such as art, mental health rituals, and burials, mirroring the advancements in technology.5. The coexistence of ancient human species in places like Denisova Cave serves as a reminder that change, adaptation, and harmony amongst different entities are the foundations of our survival.6. In the realms of science, health-and-wellness, mental-health, space-and-astronomy, and technology, the 21st century is characterised by both revolutionary transformations and the promise of an intriguing evolutionary future.
