The Evolution and Development of Society and Life

Evolution has itself evolved in recent years, bringing about a new field known as evo-devo. Scientists have discovered that one of the most dominant factors involved in evolution is the development of organisms. Not long ago evolution was thought to be the result of a chance mutation in the genes of an organism which made it more fit to live in the environment it inhabited. Evo-devo revolutionizes this idea by saying that an organism’s adaptation to the environment is a result of a both a minor change in its genes and a major change in its development. For example, before it was thought that the passage of organisms from a marine to a terrestrial environment was due to a mutation, now it is thought that the genes for adapting to a terrestrial habitat were already present in marine organisms, and were simply expressed more strongly during the development of these organisms. These genes that allow organisms to adapt to change in the environment are known as toolbox genes. Small changes in these genes and, most importantly, the expression of these genes during development can result in the formation of complex new forms of life. This has resulted in an amazing biodiversity of species, each of which has adapted to its niche.

Strong analogies to evo-devo are present in the development of societies: the diversity of cultures has often been a result of small differences in the environment. The tools needed for a society to develop have always been present; what really changed the evolution of a society is how it used these tools. Through this analogy we can offer a method for finding a reason for why societies developed in different way. Some societies developed in similar ways although very far apart in space or in time, merely due to the fact that they found themselves in similar environmental conditions. This phenomenon relates closely to convergent evolution which occurs as a result of organisms having a similar genetic toolbox.

Sioux Teepee

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/settlements/regions/plains.html

Around the world similar societies have formed in environments; this can be seen as the convergent evolution of human societies.  Nomadic societies are one example of this convergence on a certain lifestyle.  The flat, open and barren landscapes found around the world play the same role in the development of human society as they do in the evolution of organisms.  These landscapes are the selective forces that control and drive the development of societies formed by human inhabitants in the same way the environment can select organisms that have small tweaks in their features that make them more fit.  The Sioux of the American plains and the Turks of central Asia formed small tightly knit societies because of the harsh environment they lived in.  Both of these nomadic societies domesticated horses and created habitations that could be moved easily, the teepees of the Sioux and the yurts of the Turks.  These communities used the tools that were at hand to adapt to where they lived in the same way certain toolbox genes are used causing different groups of organisms to arrive at similar evolutionary solutions.

Turk Horseman

http://countryturkmenistan.tripod.com/index.blog?start=1120805855&topic_id=1016195

Rome and New York developed to be large cities not only because of their geographic location on rivers but because of the maritime technology that each possessed when they were developing.  Rome with the Tiber River and New York with the Hudson River became prominent port cities.  This shows how a geographic location can provide a layout for the way the humans living there will develop their society.  During Rome’s development the Romans had superior trade vessels that allowed the city to become a major trade hub.  This also occurred when the Hudson Bay colony was established; the environment and the technology of sailing ships drove the development of New York as a commercial center.  The development of these port cities is similar to organisms that have genes previously acquired through mutations that allow them to be poised to adapt to a new environment.

A few genes can enact a big change in evolution. Similarly a few geographic, technological, economic and political circumstances can shape a society.  For example, cultures centered on fishing have developed along the coastal regions around the world.  The amount of emphasis placed on fishing in these societies is controlled by relatively few factors.  One example of this is George’s Bank off the coast of New England.  George’s Bank was a driving force that, when coupled with a high demand for Cod in Europe, created a colonial society that revolved around fishing. 

Genes can be waiting for expression until the proper environmental conditions arise much like restless political climate that may remain dormant until there is a spark causing revolution.  With the proper circumstances toolbox genes can set to work to enact developmental changes that drive evolutionary movements.  Every species that has developed and evolved in time is today adapted to fit its particular niche. No species can be defined as being better or worse than the next because each has had to face different difficulties in its development. Similarly, no culture can be considered better or worse because each has evolved in a unique set of circumstances.  In this blog, we have used examples of these unique circumstances to try to explain why societies have come to be what they are today. We did so through the perspective of evo-devo, which bears evident analogies to human development.

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