Nature: Observations and a bit on Natural Selection

As I sit on the concrete bench adjacent to the lake, I look to the left and right of my feet. I see leaves, mulch, and clumps of grass, both healthy and dead. Extremely close to the water lies a plant with long, slender leaves. Its location suggests that its roots are directly obtaining nutrients from the lake. I then begin to wonder how its seed reached this destination. Did a bird deposit the seed, or was it planted by a human, or did the plant over gradually move to this location. Currently the plant appears mostly green with a hint of brown on the ends of its long slender leaves. On the leaves also appear hole where bugs have eaten the plant, but the plants seem not to be thoroughly plagued by the bugs. As I look more closely at the grass surrounding my feet, I see traditional grass, a patch of clover, some weeds stemming from the grass, and many leaves turning brown as they are no longer attached to their source of life. They appear crisp, and cracks are present throughout most. As my eyes progress from the landscaped area to the naturally formed woods, I see less definition in the placement of different plants types. They all seem to be bunched together. When nature controls the placement of plants, only the strong survive. The area directly below the tress have much more dirt than vegetation as the sun seldom reaches these areas. It also appears that the tops of the trees are greener than the middle and bottom. As I examine the tree from top to bottom, the leaves appear more red, brown, and yellow the farther I look down the tree. As I search for animals, I am unable to find any squirrels but I do see ants hiding beneath the dried leaves, and other insects climbing to the peaks of different pieces of grass for a purpose I don't know. Concerning natural selection, its seems that the grass surrounding the brick base upon which I am sitting has not been able to successfully adapt to the constant treading it receives from humans every day. It appears brown and is flatter, and has less body than the green grass. In the distance I hear a cricket. I don’t know why it chirps, but it ceases to stop as I listen. As the mild wind blows, the vegetation surrounding me moves back and forth. It amazes me that the vegetation does not break with the resistance from the wind. It has truly been engineered to withstand the breeze that is generated across the surface of the pond. In the mulched areas around the bench, there exists a stray weed here and there. These weeds are special because they have to beat the power of weed killers and survive on their own merit, in the absence of proper nourishment . It is also amazing to consider the strength of the ants that budge the leaves that appear fifty or sixty times larger than they do. From my time reflecting on nature, two major questions emerge in my though process. First, how can ants possess enough strength to lift objects up to sixty times their own weight? Second, what is in the composition of most forms of vegetation that allows them to bend, but not break in the wind? Though I do not know the formal answers to these questions, I am aware that natural selection has played a role in how these plants have the characteristics they have and need in order to survive.

The Bible and Tao Te Ching

On p.9 of Tao de Ching, Lao-Tzu speaks of how one is suppose to live a humble, inmaterial life. "When gold and jades fill the hall, They cannot be guarded. Riches and Pride bequeath error, Withdrawing when work is done: Heaven's Tao" (9). Lao-Tzu's guidelines to living are similiar to those explicitly laid out in the bible. The Bible teaches us not to be materialistic because in the end, our possesions have no value in the kingdom of heaven. The bible also warns against excessive hubris. It teaches that humility is the best policy, as arrogance spurs resentment and conflict amongst others. Like the Bible, Lao-Tzu teaches that death is not a bad thing, rather a gift that we work for on earth to ultimately obtain. I was amazed at the similiarity between the Bible and the Tao Te Ching.

Swagger

According to Darwin, "Love is still the commonest theme of our songs. As Herbert Spencer remarks, music arouses dormant sentiments of which we had not conceived the possibility, and do not know the meaning...musical tones and rhythm were used by the half-human progenitors of men, during the season of courtship, when animals of all kinds are excited by the strongest passions" (272). According to this, the opposite sex, women in my case, like more than a good body. Darwin suggests that they like intellect combined with the ability to inspire emotion in their potential mates. Although men can visit the weight room and achieve a certain bodily structure, most men try their whole life to create a "song" that interests women. "Game", the ability to lure women, is unique among all individuals. Although all individuals possess some sort of "game", not every one's "game" is equal, therefore some undoubtedly attract more females than others.

Evolution

As I read Darwin's thoughts about evolution, I began to analyze myself. Darwin writes, "The jaws, together with their muscles, would then have been reduced through disuse, as would the teeth through the not well understood principles of correlation and the economy of growth; for we everywhere see that parts which are no longer of services are reduced in size" (268). This statement made me think about my forearms in particular. As I compare my features to that of a gorilla or a caveman, I realize that the caveman's forearms have a much larger circumference than mine despite the fact that I workout. As I pondered I realized that my forearms are not regularly employed in starting fires, scooping water from streams, or carving meat off the corpses of animals. As I considered that fact, I began to accept the fact that I would rather live in my cushy life than to gain circumference on my forearms. Over the years of non-use of the forearms, they have reduced in size as they are no longer of constant service.

Polygamy

"Many mammals and some few birds are polygamous, but with animals belonging to the lower classes I have found no evidence of this habit. The intellectual powers of such animals are, perhaps, not sufficient to lead them to collect and guard a harem of females" (263). This quote reminds me of the countless episodes of Saved by the Bell I used to watch in middle school. Zach would always try to play Kelly, and get with some other blonde ditz. This quote struck me because it always seemed that Zach always got caught in his games of love and affection. Although Zach's failure to achieve polygamy may have in fact been Screech's fault, Zach was unable to guard his harem of females.

Infinite Growth

As I was reading Darwin's essay on the struggle for existence, the following quote caused me to stop, and gather my thoughts before moving forward. "There is no exception to the rule that every organic being naturally increases at so high a rate, that if not destroyed, the earth would soon be covered by the progeny of a single pair" (166). This excerpt poses a truth that most of us choose not to consider. Only in the movies do we see one specie of organism come to dominate the entire world. This quote explicitly portrays the importance of death. For some it is hard to think that death is good, but according to Darwin we should embrace it. Personally I am glad death does exist for two major reasons. First, I believe that life is heaven will be far better than life on earth. Second, I do not want to live as many Western peoples do. In China the population density is enormous. I'm glad death does exist so I can continue to live the comfortable lifestyle that I am accustomed to. Although this may sound selfish, ponder for a moment if you would want to share your car with twelve other people.

Foreign Species

On p.177 of On Evolution Darwin writes, "no country can be named in which all the native inhabitants are now so perfectly adapted to each other and to the physical conditions under which they live, that none of them could anyhow be improved; for in all countries, the natives have been so far conquered by naturalised productions, that they have allowed foreigners to take firm positions of the land". As Darwin speaks of foreign species, he reminds me of an invasive species of plant that has taken over many swamplands in the northern neck of Virginia and is commonly mistaken as foreign . The plant I am referring to is Phragmites. This plant has overran many wetland areas in Virginia. This plant kills most adjacent plants by starving them of their resources necessary for survival. It grows so rapidly that it has to be cut every five years or so, as to not block the view of many creeks and openings of rivers. The reproductive ability of this plant was probably achieved through some sort of natural selection. Because it is often mistaken as a foreign species, this excerpt from the text alerted my attention.