First Blog

Mankind has many enemies, not the least of which is himself.  What is remarkable is the list of enemies crosses multiple scales of physical dimensions, psychological dimensions, and biological dimensions.  When added up, the enemies list is long with dangers striking from everywhere. The short list of sources includes himself, nature, species, toxins, microorganisms, and more. Many are new, with the list of enemies growing as do we.  For example, a list only thirty years ago would not include the prion (of mad cow disease fame). In fact, the more you know about the agency of humans the more enemies you can find, and they become ever more lethal. The more you know about our world, the more threats you can perceive. Enemies for the metallurgist, the biologist, the climatologist, the naturalist, and so on are in abundance. Reading this very general list, one may wonder how we make it through life. Compound this with companion lists at the various life stages, and your wonder expan

 An account of evolution from a (feedback) systems viewpoint. Species as systems.   It is a given that adaptable species are the most successful and that sometimes more the adaptable species exhibit greater intelligence.  To adapt requires more than instinct.  It requires a problem-solving capacity to comprehend survival options and make survival decisions.  So, if an adaptable species is stressed, it must solve survival problems.  Many, if not most species can do have and done this.  Availability of food sources is significant. In many species, we see local adaptability to local conditions.  This means non-cognitive solutions are found. Perhaps adaptability involves a modified method of hunting  or food gathering. Or it could involve a reactive change to climate or a need for protection. The tripod of survival: food, protection, and reproduction, are the progenitors of adaptation.  Pleasure, convenience, and comfort are not. View any species as a system.  It has states, such