icons of evolution, but not what you think

[acroyear]

Pharyngula: There is no one simple evolution story:

I've never liked this stereotypical portrayal of evolution.


It implies that evolution is linear, that it is going somewhere, and of course, that it is all about people — all the wrong messages. Yet it is ubiquitous, and probably the most common rendering you'll find anywhere. Try googling for images of evolution, and you will turn it up, or variants on it, or jokes built on it…it's a bit annoying and trite.

(Although, when I googled to find that image — which was easy — I also found this one.

(Click for larger image)

Very nice. I like it.)

Comments

Love it!

[spicyapplegirl.livejournal.com]

One more thing... not only is that top photo severely limited in scope, it also may not be accurate, as it is still under debate whether Neanderthals are a direct ancestor of modern humans, or a side branch that died out.

~Apple

Re: Love it!

[javasaurus.livejournal.com]

I thought the general consensus currently favored the neanderthal-as-side-branch, based on DNA from bone fragments or some such. Is there still serious debate about it?

Re: Love it!

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

the debate generally is whether or not
1) homo sapien and homo neandertalis ever actually interacted or were aware of each other's existences

and if so

2) was there ever any interbreeding

the former is a really hard one. there can't be non-proof, merely "we haven't found it yet", and would be strictly archeologically/anthropologically found. the possibility will always exist, just waiting for the proof, the distinctively sapien made object among neanderthal bones...OR, #2 would be proved first.

proof of the latter would be either strictly genetically (that's why the neanderthal genome project is so important), or one incredible fossil find.

[thelongshot.livejournal.com]

He'd like the way the Natural History museum in NY is organized...

[madam-macaw.livejournal.com]

I like it too - very interesting.

[piraterogue.livejournal.com]

Where did you find that? I want it in English as a poster for my wall in my office.

[acroyear70.livejournal.com]

http://www.bordalierinstitute.com/target1.html seems to be the place. i only linked from pz's copies.