About several theories of evolution (Essay) - 825 Words

About several theories of evolution (Essay Sample) Content: NameInstructorCourseDateIP 2 Evolution is the process by which generations of species undergo some changes in their biological traits over a given period. There are two theories that explain the process of evolution. They include phyletic gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Scientists maintain that evolution can only happen as described by the theories (National Academy of Sciences 78). Phyletic gradualism is a theory that explains a slow and consistent process of evolution that occurs in biological species. It further maintains that change in characteristics of these taxonomic groups involves splitting of the hereditary features of the species into different traits in the subsequent generations. On the other hand, punctuated equilibrium is an evolutionary theory, which holds the belief that the process of change in biological characteristics is extremely fast. Punctuated equilibrium occurs immediately, and with respect to geology. People rarely notice the changed forms of the species because they exist and disappear very fast (Cook 53). Punctuated equilibrium makes the prediction of an impossibility in recording the characteristic changes whenever there is registration of an evolutionary process. For instance, there may be records of the ancestors of some species having resided at a certain place. At the same time, there could be a new taxonomic group undergoing evolution in a different area. The theory also predicts a reduction in the likelihood of ossification among the members (Ross 108). Several processes can lead to rapid evolution. These include rivers that contain toxic substances and changes in climate. Rivers with toxicants can result in the evolution of the fish that lives in its water. These toxicants remain on the riverbeds and do not undergo any process of break down. Scientists have made a discovery that fish, which lives in rivers contaminated with PCBs, normally evolve and develop some forms of characteristics that poisons from PCBs do not affect. The evolution happens very fast and in response to the effects of the toxicants present in the water of the rivers (Grant 133). Climate change also culminates in a faster evolutionary process that may lead to a rapid change in the DNA of the species. After analyzing the DNA of penguins that existed more than six thousand years ago and those that are still existing, scientists discovered that there was an alteration in the sequence of the genes before ending up with the current species. This happened without any variation in the physical appearances of the penguins (Grant 134). Environment is one of the factors that may lead to relative stasis. Semi-permanent stableness of the environment is one of the key factors that encourage evolutionary stasis. Any climatic change may result in the development of a new form of a disease. If there is no alteration in the climate, there will be no stress on the biological species. This ends up in lack of evolution because the species remain contented with everything around them. Unavailability of predatory animals may also lead to relative stasis. The species may only evolve in order to adapt to a dangerous environment if there is an existing danger. Absence of predators means no threat to the species hence no need for change (Ross 144). There are several evidences put forward to show that there was life on earth in the early days. Scientists use stromatolites as proof for existence of organisms that had microscopic size, which lived a long time ago, and participated in the development of the sedimentary rocks. They claim that the microorganisms died, and their bodies formed the rocks. Carbon presence can also provide proof for living things having occupied the earth at the beginning. Living things do ingest carbon-12 ( HYPERLINK "http://periodictable.com/Isotopes/006.12/index.html" 12C). Carbon-14 ( HYPERLINK "http://periodictable.com/Isotopes/006.14/index.html" 14C) exists for a short time co mpared to  HYPERLINK "http://periodictable.com/Isotopes/006.12/index.html" 12C because it is a radioactive element. The existence of  HYPERLINK "http://periodictable.com/Isotopes/006.12/index.html" 12C bespeaks presence of life, or life that existed. Rocks with HYPERLINK "http://periodictable.com/Isotopes/006.12/index.html" 12C show that life existed in that area. There are numerous rocks, whose ages may be four billion years old and have  HYPERLINK "http://periodictable.com/Isotopes/006.12/index.html" 12C (Grant 186). Upon looking at the differences in species characteristics and their changes, one discovers that the changes are minimal. This means that the evolutionary process was much slower. For example, one generation of fish species existed and did not have the surface for jawbones. One hundred years after the existence of the species with no jawbones, the subsequent generation that went through evolution developed jawbones. That is the only difference betwee...

Formal Essay on Hymn of Not Much Praise for New York City by Thomas Merton - Literature Essay Samples

In his poem Hymn of Not Much Praise for New York City, Thomas Merton effectively describes a society governed by immorality, fueled by materialism, and spawning inhumanity. It is derived from a mindset focused solely on the achievement of wealth, and inspired from stories of rags-to-riches and sudden successes rewarded to hard workers. However, while the American Dream evokes an optimistic outlook from a person, it inspires a lifetime of constant hard work that may not always be paying off. Hymn of Not Much Praise for New York City addresses the immoral effects on the physical and emotional well-being of humanity through the American Dream’s effects on materialism, nature, and humanity’s self-perspective in the physical embodiment of the American Dream in the 20th century. While much can be said on the idea of materialism in the modern world, it was never so prominent as it was during the era in which the American Dream reigned. The constant need for â€Å"more† is a humane flaw that affects those in pursuit of success most strongly. Merton perfectly captures this idea of ceaseless desire in his poem, especially with his descriptions of New York as â€Å"rich as a cake, common as a doughnut† (Merton 11). While the American Dream is symbolised by New York City, it is so because of its incredible amount of ceaseless competition and alluring success stories (symbolised by the cake and doughnuts in this quotation) that embody the success that is possible while portraying the wide variety of rich, poor, hopeful, and hopeless people that are created by the American Dream. Materialism is a key component of the American Dream entirely for the purpose of displaying what a person has succeeded, though it is often useless and only raises the self-co nfidence of the holder and even that is debatable. When Merton describes New York as â€Å"expensive as a fur† (Merton 12), he points out the frequent connection between materialism and self-confidence. Because the American Dream is all about succeeding and displaying your success, Merton shows the silly notion that American Dreamers often believe how they appear affects their personality. These quotations contribute to Merton’s theme of the degrading effects of materialism in popular society through which it combines all dreamers into a strive for success. Merton’s description of materialism is furthermore conjoined by humanity’s unnatural attempt at possessing nature yet another display of materialism in human society. A motif of cages, zoos, and animals in the poem creates a feeling of restlessness, greed, and hopeless desire. After describing the towering buildings of New York as â€Å"monkey-houses of the office-buildings† (Merton 7-8), Merton continues on to speak of the New Yorkers exclaiming that â€Å"we love to hear you shake, your big face like a shining bank† (Merton 13-14). The diction in these quotations illustrates an idea of wilderness and animalistic behaviour. This directs the reader’s attention to the human trait of capture and possession that humanity is so obsessed with, creating an undeniable connection between materialism and nature that can still be observed in today’s culture. Furthermore, it strengthens the immoral atmosphere present in the 20th century corporate Ameri ca. In essence, it develops the theme of humans in constant pursuit of capturing what they don’t necessarily have the rights or capability to possess. When observed closely, it can be evident that the American Dream is unnatural in terms of human nature. It is an idea that any human is capable of possessing more material and reputation than they need, and the fact that this is a nation-wide goal is slightly concerning and unnatural. In New York, where â€Å"even the freshest flowers smell of funerals† (Merton 40) and its inhabitants are â€Å"stupefied forever by the blue, objective lights† (Merton 34), it is evident that the American Dream detracts people from a natural well-being to being obsessed with this idea of material and reputational success. There is significance in the blue objective lights which Merton uses to describe the effects of humanity on a place that was once not blue and objective, but full of greens and yellows and browns with rich blues and whites obscuring the distance of skies. Merton uses the blue objective lights to attract attention to the destruction humanity has wreaked over their only pl anet and conscious; because not only has humanity destroyed their natural environment, but they have destroyed their happiness and self-perspective. With the revival of hope and determination brought with the American Dream comes a combination of materialism and unnaturalness, resulting with a deteriorating sense of self-perspective and an often clouded view of oneself. Often brought on upon by the dizzying idea of the endless competition in New York, an American Dreamer can be led to believe they are much more (or much less) successful than they truly are, which obscures their sense of self-identity and motives. In a city where â€Å"elevators clack their teeth and rattle the bars of their cages† (Merton 5), there comes an inevitable feeling of defeat that permeates every cell of the city even the dizzying towers that hold the most successful dreamers. The diction that Merton uses describes an atmosphere of competition intertwined with defeat and capture. While he describes humanity’s obsession with capturing nature, he mingles this idea with humanity’s need for captivity. The citizens of New York, screamin g to â€Å"lock us in the safe jails of thy movies† (Merton 30) express an idea that the American Dream acts as a prison to house both those who have succeeded and those who have not a jail that is filled with people aware of their faults yet turning a blind eye to them. The pure conflict between human nature and success is perfectly captured within Merton’s description of citizens’ pleading to America to â€Å"sentence us for life to the penitentiaries of thy bars and nightclubs† (Merton 33). The expression of a jailed life in a bar effectively expresses the low self-perspective held by humanity and the negligence towards it. Hymn of Not Much Praise for New York City conveys the immorality of the American Dream and its effects on the city dweller while expressing the physical and emotional atmosphere of 20th century corporate America, incorporating description of materialism, nature, and humanity’s self-perspective. Merton uses this poem to illustrate the chronic inhumanity instilled by the American Dream while building upon other pieces of American literature. While the American Dream is less prominent today as it was in the 20th century, it still plays a major role in corporations around the country, and even around the world. Since the time when New York was the epicenter of ambition, the American Dream has spread all around the world to China, where mass-production is their lifeline, to Dubai, where towering buildings overshadow man’s ability to succeed. The American Dream is no longer an American Dream, but an International Goal to become as successful as it is humanly possible to be.