A Post About A Misconception Of Evolutionary Theory

I hate when people misconstrue the concept of evolution and come up with the most idiotic assertions.

For instance, I’ve heard a number of people state that they don’t believe “humans came from monkeys”, and that if that was indeed the case, then why are there monkeys still around.

Please, think before you speak.  It will help you avoid embarrassment.

Anyway, evolution doesn’t say that we came from monkeys. Instead, it explains that humans and monkeys have a COMMON ANCESTOR. Our lineages diverged millions of years ago, and now we each have our own set of characteristics through the process of natural selection.

If you have even the slightest understanding of evolution, but are still unable to grasp the idea of such drastic changes occurring, then try this little exercise I came up with a while ago.

Okay. Scientists say that chimps and humans diverged around 6 million years ago. Remember that number.

Now, relatively modern human history (meaning the period of time of which we have a good amount of knowledge of humans resembling ourselves existing) is about 7,000 years in length.

So, divide 7,000 into 6,000,000, and you get 857.

You’re not done yet, but don’t worry, the math doesn’t get more complicated than that.

Okay. Take 857 and subtract 1 from it, and then continue to do so for as long as you need. BUT, remember to think about all of modern human history and the changes that have taken place over thousands of years whenever you subtract 1.

When you do this over and over again, you begin to grasp the magnitude of the amount of time of 6,000,000 years. It’s pretty remarkable.

After this, it should be easier to respect the evolutionary power of natural selection operating over a vast period of time.