My son asked me this and he is an evolutionist...

[mallymooface]

To all the evolutionists out there, or anyone else who has an idea of these things, how come aligators and tortoises which have been around infinitely longer than us mere humans, are not in congress or in the white house or writing meaning of life questions on this site??? And how come if they were around at the time of the dinosaurs they werent wiped out at the same time????

[Theland]

There are one or two serpents in parliament, and I dare say that Washington has a few reptiles knocking around the Capitol.

[China Doll]

Because they're perfectly adapted to their enviroment and can't sit up straight or type.

[andrea81]

I see what you mean! Personally I think that some species were a good evolution from the start and didn't need to adapt as their environment worked for them then and still does. I think that humand evolved out of necessity!

Only my thought though!

[Theland]

I used to work for a rat!

[WaldoMcFroog]

Why do you think they should be?

Firstly, the question seemingly assuming that human beings are the apex toward which evolution has gradually been striving, and that's not the case. Both alligators and tortoises have continued to evolve.

Secondly, evolution doesn't mandate the extinction of creatures. Approximately 50% of crocodillians did become extinct at the Cretaceous�Tertiary extinction event that did for the dinosaurs, but that means 50% didn't. 80% of Cretaceous turtle species survived. Note these are both water-based creatures.

By way of contrast *all* non-avian dinosaurs became extinct at this point.

[Theland]

Police Notice - Nut case on the loose!

[WaldoMcFroog]

Don't worry, Theland. He's probably just after some TP for his bunghole.

[Theland]

Keep him away from me - I'm frightened!

[SpiderPig]

Tell your son not to call himself an evolutionist - he obviously hasn't got a good grasp of the concept !

[China Doll]

What's TP?

[SpiderPig]

Toilet Paper

[SpiderPig]

Enjoy !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?vWDpzbmHMcEQ

Cornholio

[Tom Braider]

I'm interested in this word evolutionist - as if "belief" in evolution is a matter of joining a group..." Hey kids, come join the evolutionists!"

[mallymooface]

Spiderpig, my son is thirteen years old and its my fault he doesn't have a good idea about it all cos I am clueless as to evolution etc, hence the question. He has decided he doesn't believe in creation and watches David Attenborough programmes with me so raised the question then.
Personally i think we would be better off having turtles in charge of things than the current heads of state!
Andrea, what neccesitated humans to evolve so rapidly?

[chakka35]

mallymooface, there is no cause or plan in evolution. Changes come about randomly, after which natural selection decides which ones survive and then possibly prosper. Why not learn something about the subject, or encourage your son to do so?

[Theland]

mollymooface - I agree with chakka. See if you or your son can ever explain how bits of rock and sand and other gloopy stuff, suddenly joined together into self replicating molecules called John, Paul, George and Ringo.
Oh sorry! They came along a bit later.

[naomi24]

Theland, don't confuse the child!

[Whickerman]

huhuhuh. cornholio. huhuhuhuhuh.